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PDL | Undefeated Bears welcome hungry Swans

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Tough ask: Kevin Vandengoor and Katunga will be up against it on Saturday. Photo by Rodney Braithwaite

There is no Picola and District Football League side in better form than Tungamah at the moment.

The Bears, who are yet to lose a game of senior or reserves football this season, will welcome Katunga to Jubilee Park on Saturday in what is set to be one of their biggest challenges of the season so far.

Coming off a massive 89-point win against Katamatite last week, the Bears are in dangerous form, however their round seven opponents have been just as good.

Katunga stunned Picola United last week, when it came from behind to produce a 74- point win. Supporters will look forward to seeing more of the same on Saturday.

Tungamah coach Xavier Stevenson said last week’s performance was the Bears’ best of the season so far.

“This weekend is going to be a really big challenge for us as well because Katunga’s in really good form, they’ve only dropped the one game for the year,” Stevenson said.

“They’ve got some dangerous forwards and really good midfield depth so we’re expecting a pretty tough contest this weekend.”

With the side travelling exceptionally well early in the season, Stevenson said everyone knew their role and was playing it with strength.

He said the Bears had had an even spread of contributors across the ground and while they had been good so far, there was still plenty of room for growth.

“We’re well and truly aware that it’s just a good start and there is still plenty of work to be done,” he said.

Bears star Ash Saunders will be one to look out for on Saturday, with the full forward slotting 24 goals in four games so far this season. The in-form midfield duo of Sam Ferguson and Nick Irvine will also be part of a relatively unchanged line-up.

Despite Tungamah sitting undefeated, Katunga coach Damian Kennedy was optimistic about his side’s chances.

“They’ve (Tungamah) got a great spread of midfielders, they were very good at shutting Katamatite down in the midfield last week,” Kennedy said.

“So we’ll try and do as much work as we can there and obviously cut some supply off to (Ash) Saunders if possible.

“It’s going to be a bit of a challenge for us.

“I just want to take it up to them and show we can mix it with them a little I suppose.”

Kennedy said the Swans still had plenty of improving to do this year, with the side building a bit of momentum and hoping to “give a good account” of itself.

Max Hendy and Corey Dunn will return to the Swans’ squad for the big clash, with the game at Jubilee Park set to kick off on Saturday at 2.05pm.

In other round eight action, Picola United and Tocumwal will both be looking to bounce back from losses when they face off at Picola Recreation Reserve.

Katandra will return from a week off to take on Berrigan in Berrigan, while the Deni Rovers will host Waaia at Memorial Park.

Strathmerton will attempt to continue its good form against Jerilderie away from home, Blighty faces a tricky Rennie side at home and Katamatite will look to return to its early-season form at home against Mathoura.