WANDELLA v MOULAMEIN
The game with the most at stake for both teams this weekend is at The Hangar, with Wandella to host Moulamein in a potential First Semi Final preview.
The Bombers (fourth) and Swans (third) find themselves inside the top four. That could change tomorrow evening, with Wandella only one game clear of fifth-placed Macorna following their shock 12-point loss to Hay prior to the Queen’s Birthday bye.
Moulamein have hardly been setting the world on fire either, but have been doing enough to keep getting the four points – however if they have any plans on pushing deep into this years’ finals series, then they need to start hitting their straps.
The Swans will still be without key forward Josh Flight, who has another couple of games of his suspension to serve. Flight booted five goals when the sides met in round two, which resulted in a 29-point victory to Moulamein.
Sam Sperling was the other dominant forward on the ground in that game, kicking six goals for the Bombers. While Sperling has played only one game due to injury since that day, he is expected to return tomorrow afternoon and slot straight into the potent Bombers forward line alongside coach Logan Keighran and Corey Walters.
The good news continues for Wandella, as they are also expected to welcome back Darren Rushton, Jayden Crellin, Kade Spencer, Ethan Walker and Jack Pay from injury and illness, in a major boost to both their midfield depth and defensive run.
With the number of big inclusions, along with it being on the own home patch, it’s hard to tip against Wandella. However, if the Swans are able to get their hands on the ball first around the stoppages and win the contested possession count, then a Moulamein victory wouldn’t surprise.
Tip – Wandella to win by 4 points.
MACORNA v QUAMBATOOK
Macorna will be looking to keep their finals hopes alive tomorrow afternoon when they host Golden Rivers giant killers’ Quambatook.
The Tigers are a win and percentage outside the top four and will need to make every post a winner if they are to force their way into their first finals since 2012.
It will be a monumental achievement if they get the four points tomorrow however, with the Saints not only defeating the previously unbeaten Nullawil at their last outing, but also welcoming back a number of key players in Ash Davis, Ash Murray, Brady Tillig and Matt George to their line-up.
Tillig and Davis will be especially important inclusions, having both been named among the Saints’ better players when these teams last met back in round two. On that occasion, Quambatook recorded a 64-point win.
Mason will once again be an important player for the visitors on the back of another three goals a fortnight ago. At the other end of the ground, it’s been a bit of a struggle, with Macorna missing their spearhead and coach Jaydon Stiles and the impact he can have in front of the big sticks. Lachie Ritchie has stepped up in his coach’s absence, as has Joshua Walters, with both players slotting five majors at their last outing against Murrabit before the bye.
This game will likely be decided in the middle and with Gregor Knight, Ricky Wild and Jordan Lampi all finding form in recent weeks, that advantage very much lies with the Saints.
Tip – Quambatook to win by 30 points.
MURRABIT v HAY
With their sole win for the season coming in the corresponding fixture earlier this season, Murrabit will undoubtedly go into tomorrow’s game against Hay full of confidence that they can repeat the dose once again.
The Lions go in as favourites after a very strong 12-point victory over Wandella a fortnight ago. That performance showed that the young Lions are a team on the rise – and will be a far tougher proposition for the Blues this time.
Most of Hay’s good form has come about from their experienced players, with Hugh Crighton leading the charge out of the middle of the ground, along with Tim Zambon, while Brad Pocock, Nathan Wilson and Kenneth Jubb have also been strong contributors in recent weeks.
The Blues will be desperate to break their six-game losing streak – and with key players returning from injury, will be confident that a win might not be far away.
Toby Gray, Darcy Grant and Jackson Lowry will both return for Murrabit, while Matt Penny has overcome his hamstring strain and will also line-up for the Blues. Another key inclusion who will pull on the royal blue jumper for the first-time tomorrow is midfielder Cameron Hall, who arrives at the club mid-season in a bid to strengthen up their engine room and provide support to the evergreen Marc O’Neill and Nathan O’Toole.
While a close game should ensue, it’s hard to go past the Lions – especially if they bring that same level of intensity and attack on the ball they showed a fortnight ago.
Tip – Hay to win 15 points.
ULTIMA v NULLAWIL
After having their undefeated streak end at 20 games, Nullawil will be out to return to the winners list when they travel to Ultima tomorrow to take on the Roos.
It will be a big day out at Roo land, with the news that former dual North Melbourne ruckman Corey McKernan will pull on the blue and white stripes once again in a one-off game – although that is likely to be in the precursor to the senior game.
Sam Hinton and Will Nelson are also back into the senior line-up. It isn’t all good news for the Roos, however, as they will be without Jacob Schaper and Ryan Devereux. Devereux is a big loss, with the key forward kicking ten goals from his last two games.
Nullawil will also be hoping to make some changes, with key senior players on the verge of returning from injury following the Queen’s Birthday bye. Mitch Farmer, Dean Putt, Andrew Oberdorfer and Andrew Casey all missed the Maroons’ loss to Quambatook a fortnight ago and should all be close to resuming.
Farmer and Oberdorfer’s absence hit Nully hard last time out and severely hampered their ability to hit the scoreboard against the Saints stingy defence – but with their returns imminent, that shouldn’t be a problem this time around.
While the rest of the competition has now been shown that the mighty Maroons can be beaten, don’t expect lighting to strike twice in two weeks.
Tip – Nullawil to win by 60 points.
