WOORINEN v BALRANALD
THE finals campaigns of both Woorinen and Balranald are seemingly be on the line when the two teams clash at Tigerland this Saturday, with a spot in the top five heading into the final round of the season the prize for the winner.
The equation is a simple one for the Roos: lose and it’s season over. Last year’s grand finalists need the four points to keep pace with fifth-placed Cohuna, who are expected to beat Swan Hill.
Having sat inside the top five for the bulk of the season, a loss for the Tigers would also put them at risk of dropping from contention, with Woorinen having a worse percentage than both Cohuna and Balranald below them.
Having played out a one-point thriller in round 6, Balranald would love nothing more than to reverse that outcome, with the Roos coughing up a 21-point lead at half-time to go down in a result that could yet have a significant impact on their season.
That loss could almost be seen as the catalyst for the Roos’ drop in form, with a four-win, five-loss record since that afternoon.
The other factor in Balranald’s second-half form issues has been the absence of co-coach Jydon Neagle, with the former Jack Betts Medallist nearing a return from a quadricep injury sustained in round 9 against the Swans.
Neagle is expected to undergo a fitness test and if deemed fit is certain to play, will join returnees Colin Andrews and Jack Salau.
Woorinen are also nearing full strength with Doug Beames, Tom Langford, Brock McLean, Regan Vesty and Ben Booth all expected to return, which could give the Tigers the edge at home.
Tip – Woorinen to win by three points.
SWAN HILL v COHUNA
COHUNA will go in as favourites to further strengthen their finals ambitions when they travel to Swan Hill to play the Swans.
Brenton Conforti is expected to return for the Kangas, who are nearing full strength, with a seventh consecutive win expected to sew up a top-five finish for the visitors.
It’s been a remarkable turnaround for Cohuna since the King’s Birthday bye, who have stormed back into contention and look set to enter this year’s finals series as one of the form teams.
But before they can turn their attention to September, they must first overcome a Swan Hill team who will be buoyed by the returns of Kal Heslop and Adam Manning, with ruckman Toby Thoolen also a chance to return from injury pending an overnight fitness test.
Thoolen was sorely missed last Saturday against the Eagles and with in-form ruckman Christopher Anderson awaiting the Swans, will need their big man back at their disposal.
The challenge for Swan Hill will be in nullifying the influence of Cohuna midfielders Joel Helman and Jack Geary, with the Kangas’ class expected to be more than enough to get them over the line.
Tip – Cohuna to win by 38 points.
TOOLEYBUC-MANANGATANG v LAKE BOGA
SIX weeks ago, this game would have been seen as a lock for Tooleybuc-Manangatang, but after five consecutive losses, two of which they failed to kick a goal, the Saints will almost go in as underdogs when they host Lake Boga.
The Saints started the season in a blaze of glory, but injuries and unavailability have hit them hard, ruining their finals chances and denting their confidence.
Making their task even harder will be the loss of key defender Jaicob Kenny to injury for the clash with the Magpies, who will be missing key forward David Gourdis.
Lake Boga have had an injury crisis of their own in recent times and although they have been competitive in recent losses to Tyntynder and Woorinen, the top-end class of Blake Grant, Josh Williams, Connor McDonald and Connor Nutting should get the home team over the line – just.
Tip – Tooleybuc-Manangatang to win by two points.
KOONDROOK-BARHAM v TYNTYNDER
THE Raiders will visit the last-chance saloon when they host Tyntynder in their final match of the season, having pushed reigning premiers Kerang all the way last Saturday.
It was a performance that’s been building for the River Raiders, who won three quarters against the Blues and if not for a lapse in concentration in the third quarter, could have produced the upset of the century.
As it stands, their losing streaks remains intact, with the game against the Bulldogs now Koondrook-Barham’s last chance to claim their first win for two seasons.
If they are to break their 32-game losing streak they will need to repeat their form of last weekend against a Tyntynder outfit who will keen to claim their third straight win and finish their season on a high.
The last time the two clubs clashed resulted in a 40-point win to the Bulldogs, with Jayden Magro, Marcus Wattie and Matthew Gillbee central to Tyntynder claiming the four points that afternoon.
Tip – Tyntynder to win by 24 points.
