The encounter marks the first time Jack Cole comes up against his former team after crossing back to the Magpies’ nest in the off-season, following a two-year stint as Boro coach in 2011-12.
Both sides head into the encounter on the back of impressive first round wins and both will be looking to cement their place inside the top five in what is expected to be a close year at the top half of the ladder.
The Magpies smashed West Preston-Lakeside at J.E. Moore Park last weekend, romping to a 57-point win.
After a summer of extensive list changes, the performance showed that the Pies will again be a serious force this season, despite the departures of Kayne Pettifer, Dean Limbach, Aisake O’hAilpin, Michael Steven and Dean Giles.
High-profile recruit Rowan Nayna was prolific in the victory, while Wayne Pavitt booted four goals in his first game back in black and white. Others to shine were new skipper Ryan Jackson and youngsters Alex Chiocci and James Molinaro – the latter on his senior debut.
Greensborough had its hands full early against Macleod at War Memorial Park before proving too strong for the Kangaroos in the second half . The win gave returning coach Robert Hyde the perfect start in his return as Boro coach – three decades after his last spell ended.
Having earned a reputation as one of the best developers of young footballers in the country, Hyde would have been rapt with the form of Cameron Jordan and Josh Griffiths – the youngsters both named in Greensborough’s best in the 29-point victory.
Ricky Mullins also impressed in his return to the Boro after a one-year stint at Lower Plenty, while Tim Bongetti made a successful return to the Boro lineup – kicking four goals in his first senior NFL game since Round 7 last year following an elbow injury.
Montmorency has had the better of recent matches between the two sides – winning five of the past six matches against the Boro over the past three years, including the past three clashes between the sides.
The last encounter saw the Magpies prevail by just two goals in a gripping encounter. Jesse Donaldson was superb in that match and was clearly best afield with four goals. Mitch Anderson was the best for Boro, however he will play for the Magpies this Saturday after crossing over with Jack Cole in the off-season.
After missing out on the 2012 finals series, the Boro will be looking for big scalps early as they aim to return to the top five. But will the Magpies pose too difficult a task on their home soil? An interesting battle awaits.
Past Five Meetings
Round 15, 2012: Greensborough 15.7 (97) def by Montmorency 16.16 (112)
Round 6, 2012: Montmorency 21.7 (133) def Greensborough 13.17 (95)
Round 11, 2011: Montmorency 17.15 (117) def Greensborough 16.9 (105)
Round 4, 2011: Greensborough 13.15 (93) def Montmorency 10.5 (65)
Round 17, 2010: Montmorency 22.13 (145) def Greensborough 10.9 (69)
