AFTER four rounds of Golden Rivers football, Hay sit solely atop the ladder without defeat after beating Ultima in a muddy affair at home last weekend.
But Wandella will be hoping to rain on Hay’s parade in their round 5 clash this weekend, as the Bombers attempt to stake their claim on their finals aspirations early this year.
Wandella looked strong when they travelled to Murrabit last week, their 49-point win over the Blues kickstarted by their power and ferocity around the contest, and the experience to handle damp conditions.
Wandella’s Justin Robinson continues to show his forward craft, currently atop the league goalkicking with 17 goals in four games, including another bag of four last week.
Hay coach Mick Cattanach said the Bombers’ dangerous forwards made Wandella “look a real contender”.
“I think they’ve looked very good recently,” Cattanach said.
“They’ve got Justin Robison and Adam Ward as their spearheads and the blokes who drive a lot of their inside-50 work.
“They look like they’ll be very competitive for the rest of the year, so we are taking them very seriously.
“They’re strong all over the field, and Justin and Adam are really getting their guys going at the moment.”
Cattanach was looking for a full-team effort in denying Wandella clean looks forward.
“We’ve got some blokes that we think can be effective against their forwards,” he said.
“But it’s the type of thing where everyone back there will need to be playing their role.
“Justin Robinson is a very good forward, and it will take all of our defenders and the assistance of our midfielders to deny him the football.
“I think the pressure that we play up field will be huge in impacting their delivery forward.”
With both Declan and Jacob Watson unavailable for the weekend, Cattanach talked up his forward depth.
“Our whole focus in the forward line is that everyone plays their role,” he said.
“Obviously, Declan has been that spearhead for us, and when he’s available he’s a massive presence.
“But he hasn’t been kicking massive bags really, he’s been creating a heap of opportunities, but it’s been blokes pitching in and getting some goals for us.
“Our midfield have all been really good at chiming in with a goal here and there.”
Jack Cattanach and William Collis are two midfielders who have shown the ability to hit the scoreboard, while James Moran has become even stronger in his ruck work to enable them.
Wandella coach Justin Robinson said his side were keen to go up against the reigning premiers.
“It’ll be a real challenge to travel up to Hay,” he said.
“They’ve always got a real advantage up at their home ground.
“Obviously, they’re last year’s premiers and they’re going to be tough to go up against.
“But we’re always up for the challenge and ready to take the game up to them.”
In the round’s other matches, Macorna hosts an Ultima side keen to return to the winners’ list following last week’s loss to Hay.
Playing through the unfavourable conditions, Ultima’s classy ball movement was stifled – resorting to a more direct style of play to avoid the overuse of short disposal.
The Roos will be looking for a return of that quick style that suits them so well, and not relying on the side’s big men to win or impact marking contests down the line.
Tom Bull is one that can turn a game on its head for Ultima, while the defensive prowess of Ultima’s full-back line, Martyn Cooper, Sam Coffey and Ryan Featherby, will need to get on top again.
The Roos defenders will pay close attention to the man second in the league’s goalkicking, Tristan Macintosh.
The dangerous half-forward has kicked 12 goals in just three games, including a bag of six in last week’s win over Moulamein.
Moulamein’s strong start against the Tigers last week, leading by a goal at the main break before being overrun, will give them some confidence.
The Swans will be aiming to play out the entire game against Murrabit this weekend if they’re to cause an upset in front of their home crowd.
Hunter Hartland, Kaylem Hartley and Ely Miller all contributed two goals to the Swans’ cause last weekend, but it wasn’t enough to see Moulamein break their winless streak.
The Swans may see Murrabit as a little shaken by their defeat to Wandella at home last weekend, but the Blues have game-changing players who will attempt to ensure a bounce-back win.
Skipper Nathan O’Toole has been as reliable as ever to start 2024, while the inclusion of coach Jack Shannahan around the contest and forward of the ball has added another threat.
