COHUNA KANGAS v WOORINEN
Cohuna Kangas will host Woorinen tin what will most likely be a preview of the qualifying final in a fortnight’s time.
While it’s unlikely that either side could topple Kerang for minor premiers, gaining a slight psychological advantage could be important ahead of a tough finals campaign.
The Tigers are the form side of the competition, but will face a significant test against the Kangas with a number of key players set to miss tomorrow’s match. Mitchel Taylor, Taylor Cameron and Adam Saunders are all out of the Woorinen line-up, while it’s unknown if Patrick Veszpremi – who missed last Saturday’s win over Tyntynder – will return. The Tigers will, however, welcome back Aaron Cadd, along with Zac Cattlin.
The home side have a few selection issues of their own, with defender Tom Metherell injuring a hamstring early in the win over NNW United last weekend, which could rule him out until the finals. The Kangas do expect to have key defender Brenton Conforti return from injury, along with Cooper McLoughlin.
Christopher Anderson is also set to resume and for a two-pronged ruck assault with Ben Archard to combat Woorinen big man Arnold Kirby. The midfield battle will be where this game will be won and lost, especially on the wide-open spaces at Cohuna.
The Kangas play their home ground better than anyone and their ability to run and spread can be impossible to close down at times. Woorinen, on the other hand, have built their game around winning the contest in close and creating turnovers through their intense pressure.
The key for the Tigers will lie in restricting the Kangas classy midfield combination of Joel Helman and Jarrod Findlay. If they can do that, then they may be celebrating win number 12 in a row.
Tip – Cohuna Kangas to win by 2 points
TYNTYNDER v KERANG
After receiving a reality check at the hands of Woorinen last Saturday, there may well be another one coming for Tyntynder when they host premiership favourites Kerang tomorrow.
The Dogs were no match for the rampaging Tigers last week, with poor skill errors and their inability to move the ball forward of centre with any great conviction a constant source of frustration.
The other glaring observation when it comes to Tyntynder is their unhealthy reliance on Jason Eagle, with the full-forward kicking five of their seven goals last round. While it’s easy to see why they would be so drawn to targeting the strong marking target, the Bulldogs simply have to find other avenues to goal – especially when matched up against the well organised Kerang back six.
Two players who should make a significant difference to the Tyntynder midfield will be Andrew Bennett and Solomon McKay, with the pair likely to return to the Bulldogs line-up. One player who won’t be out there will be Tom Bull, with the hard-nosed midfielder suffering a knee injury last Saturday.
The Blues will also have a forced change with Brandon Hayes set to be managed and replaced in their line-up by Rylee Smith, who has recovered from his hamstring injury.
If Tyntynder are to challenge Kerang then they will need to match their opponents on the inside and not get beaten up in contested ball. The Dogs big strength is their outside run and speed, but if they are unable to win the ball at the coal face, then they will get hammered by the Blues impeccable ball movement.
Although Kerang are still without Jesse Clark and Ryan Gillingham, they should still have more than enough firepower to account for Tyntynder – and should wrap up top spot and that all important bye in week one of the finals.
Tip – Kerang to win by 36 points.
LAKE BOGA v MALLEE EAGLES
Lake Boga can finally lock away their first finals appearance since 2010 with victory over the Mallee Eagles at home tomorrow.
While both Balranald and the Eagles can mathematically still make the top five, it would take an implosion from the Magpies in the run home. For the Eagles, the first box they need to tick in order to keep their faint finals hopes alive is to beat Lake Boga.
Helping their task will be the returns of Harry Allen and Braidon Bennett – with Allen to provide the Eagles midfield with a much-needed boost.
Allen will team up with Darcy McGregor and Beau Bennett in the centre, with all three needing to be at their best in order to counter the Magpies’ stoppage focused midfield. Josh Cruse-Filo is a midfield bull and will need to be stopped, along with Nathaniel Holmes-Brown, Tyle Williams and Dustin Burns, with the latter enjoying a break out senior season.
While Lake Boga may have the edge in the midfield, it’s forward line without leading goal kicker Angus Monfries remains a cause for concern. The Magpies lack a big forward even with Monfries in the team, so have struggled to kick winning scores without the former AFL star.
The Mallee Eagles backline has been decimated by injuries, but Lake Boga still needs to find a forward structure that can get the job done.
Tomorrow’s encounter will be anyone’s game, with the ledger only slightly tipped in favour of the Magpies on their own home deck.
Tip – Lake Boga to win by 4 points.
BALRANALD v NNW UNITED
Balranald will be out to redeem themselves following last Saturday’s shock loss to Swan Hill when they host NNW United.
The Roos shot their finals hopes’ to pieces with the 11-point loss to the Swans after making a late season push for a top five berth. NNW United have long been out of the finals race, but will be keen to finish their season off on a winning note.
The Demons received high praise from Cohuna coach Neil Bradley during the week, with the Kangas leader impressed with the way they went about their game under newly re-appointed coach Corey Daniels last week. NNW United have certainly improved since the start of the season, but it’s their at times poor ball use that continues to be a source of frustration.
Balranald will welcome back Tom Salau from injury, but will most likely still be without Josh Hodgson for another week. Hodgson will be a big loss, with the defender one of the options to play on in-form Demons full-forward Brent Arho.
It could well be a battle of the key forwards tomorrow – especially on the short Greenham Park oval – with Arho and Balranald’s Ben Fuller both having been in superb touch throughout the second half of the season.
The Demons will welcome back midfielders Ethan Saville and Dylan Mclachlan, along with small forward Matt Duffy in a timely boost to their chances.
But the Roos are typically a two to three goal better side on their home ground, so expect them to get the points in yet another close one.
Tip – Balranald to win by 9 points.
TOOLEYBUC-MANANGATANG v SWAN HILL
Despite disappointing seasons, Tooleybuc-Manangatang and Swan Hill will go into tomorrow’s game full of confidence following strong showings last Saturday.
The Swans showed how damaging their best can be in defeating Balranald last round, while the Saints pushed Koondrook-Barham to the dying minutes of the game, before going down by just seven points.
Swan Hill will be without key defender Brendan Blackmore, who has been in good form in recent weeks. Tooleybuc-Manangatang will also be without a couple of players from last Saturday, with Peter Rothacker out injured with a back complaint and Tom Matarazzo also set to miss.
The last time both clubs met was back in Round 7, with Tom Spicer leading Swan Hill to a 48-point win with five goals. While Spicer’s performance earned him best on ground honours, it will be Swans coach Matthew Wade who will take most of the Saints attention tomorrow.
Likewise, Swan Hill will be putting considerable time into Tooleybuc-Manangatang ruckman Alex Powell, who dominated the Swans both up forward and out of the centre square.
While it’s tempting to pick the Saints at home, winning form is good form – and with that in mind, I’m going with the Swans.
Tip – Swan Hill to win by 10 points.
