BALRANALD v TOOLEYBUC-MANANGATANG
BALRANALD will go into Saturday’s game against Tooleybuc-Manangatang favourites to sew up fifth spot, with Jydon Neagle considered a strong chance to return for the must-win match.
Having not played since round 9 after tearing his quadricep, Neagle only needs to get through training overnight to take his place in the side.
Unfortunately, he will replace Bill Parry, who injured his knee during Balranald’s 10-point win over Woorinen last Saturday, with Parry’s season now over regardless of the result this weekend.
The Roos’ season is very much alive, however, but only if they claim the four points, with Woorinen breathing down their neck and looking to replace them in the top five.
Despite being played at Greenham Park, it will be far from an easy task for the home side, with the Saints ending a five-game losing streak with a 13-point win over Lake Boga last weekend.
It’s been a season of mixed form for Tooleybuc-Manangatang, who after a fast start have struggled in the second half of the year with injuries and unavailability.
The last thing the Roos can afford to do is take the Saints lightly, however, with the visitors still possessing plenty of high-end talent in their best 22, including Elliott Chalmers, Blake Grant, Connor McDonald and Josh Williams.
Balranald have plenty of talent on their books also and with Harrison Soraggi, and Drew and Kobe Lloyd in form, combined with the potential of Jydon Neagle to once again team up with brothers Jaxon and Matthew, the Roos should win.
Tip – Balranald to win by 27 points.
TYNTYNDER v WOORINEN
WOORINEN will be hoping for a percentage-boosting win to keep their finals dream alive when they take on Tyntynder at Alan Garden Reserve.
If both Cohuna and Balranald win, along with the Tigers, then it will all come down to percentage, with Woorinen needing to win by 15 goals or more to be any chance of leapfrogging the Roos.
Their task will be made that little bit more difficult with Josh Domaille (concussion) certain to miss the must-win match, with Taylor Cameron also in doubt after injuring his groin in the second quarter of Saturday’s loss to Balranald, but they will regain the services of Brock McLean and Robert Rush.
Tyntynder, on the other hand, are limping to the finish line, with the Bulldogs suffering the indignity of losing to Koondrook-Barham last Saturday.
The Bulldogs were already missing key players Roy George, Harry Simpson and Patrick Blake to injury and unavailability last Saturday, and will be without them again, along with Jason Eagle (calf), Elia Ware (hamstring) and Brock Storer.
The absence will open the door for Woorinen to go all out and attack the game, with midfielders Jye Barry, Henry Thompson and Lachlan Warburton consistently among the Tigers’ better players.
If Arnold Kirby can get dangerous up forward, along with Will Collicoat, Woorinen will be hard to contain for an undermanned Tyntynder, who would still love to ruin the Tigers’ season.
Tip – Woorinen to win by 30 points.
LAKE BOGA v MALLEE EAGLES
ZAC O’Meara, Brent Macleod, Brady Fordham and Shaun Harrison will all return to give the Eagles a boost ahead of their final home-and-away match against Lake Boga.
While the Magpies are expected to go in with an unchanged line-up, the Eagles will lose Toby Sheahan (hamstring) and Jai Middleton from the team that succumbed to Kerang by 40 points last Saturday.
The inclusions will more than offset the omissions in their final tune-up before next weekend’s qualifying final against NNW United, with the Eagles expected to be close to full strength for their first final.
Lake Boga proved more than competitive in round 7 against the Eagles and would have been right in the contest if not for inaccuracy in front of goals, with the Magpies finishing the day with just four goals from 17 scoring shots.
Their challenge will be to produce the same effort without Brodie Tonkin and Rory Colville, who both starred that day, while also finding a way to curb the influence of Darcy Hourigan, who booted six goals and led the Eagles to victory.
Tip – Mallee Eagles to win by 38 points.
KERANG v SWAN HILL
MINOR premiers Kerang are expected to put the finishing touches on another impressive home-and-away season when they host Swan Hill at Riverside Park.
The Blues have taken all before them since their first-round loss to Balranald and are once again the team to beat this season, with the Swans facing the unenviable task of finishing a difficult season off against the premiership favourites.
Ryan Gillingham is expected to return for his first match since the Blues’ round 8 win over NNW United, with the veteran onballer set to replace midfielder Adam Baird, who will miss Saturday’s match and possibly the remainder of the season after suffering a significant hamstring tear against the Eagles last Saturday.
While the Blues will be heavy favourites, Swan Hill will be aiming to finish their season on a high, having played the top four teams over the past month.
The Swans were competitive in general play against the in-form Cohuna last Saturday but struggled to find a way to impact the scoreboard.
Kerang, on the other hand, should have no trouble kicking a winning score, with a repeat of their 83-point win round 7 win over the Swans on the cards if Nick Lang, Sean Hunter, Brett Kennedy and Sam Heavyside can continue their good form.
Tip – Kerang to win by 50 points.
