HAVING split their two previous meetings, Wandella and Macorna look to end their deadlock when they clash for the third time in Round 11 of Golden Rivers football.
After losing their season-opener to the Tigers, Wandella have staked their claim as the league’s best of the rest with five wins, sitting in third place.
With just six regular-season matches remaining, a win for the Bombers would put them two games clear of the Tigers.
This round’s clash will have additional meaning for both clubs as they host the league’s feature game as part of NAIDOC Week’s Indigenous round.
All players across the two teams’ junior and senior football and netball matches will be donning Indigenous jerseys for the weekend.
Wandella co-coach Justin Robinson said his club was always honoured to take part in the round that recognised the immense contribution of Indigenous footballers in local football.
“It’s a great thing to be a part of every year here at Wandella,” Robinson said.
“It was pleasing when they made the decision years ago that Wandella and Macorna would play the league’s inaugural Indigenous-round match.
“We’ve had plenty of Indigenous players throughout the years here at Wandella, and some very talented players at that.
“It’s a real shame that Marius Clarke will be unavailable again this weekend through injury but he’ll likely still be involved.”
Alongside rebounding defender Clarke, Robinson himself will also remain unavailable this weekend due to a leg injury he sustained against Ultima in round 7.
But in good news for Bombers fans, their team’s young star midfielder Nathan Boysen returns to the fold this weekend for his first match since suffering an injury in round 7.
Boysen has been selected in Wandella’s best players in five of his seven senior matches and has been having a big influence in his first season of senior football.
Robinson described Boysen’s return as “huge” for his side, adding another midfield threat who could stamp his authority on a match through run and winning the hard ball.
“Nathan has been an absolute gun for us in the midfield,’ he said.
“He’s got the best attributes of all the best midfielders; he can win those hard-ball gets and the run as well.
“He’s a very fit young man – he’s always running both ways, providing us with those attacking opportunities, and he has the foot skills to back up the run.”
Macorna’s followers will be ready to put in the grunt-work this weekend, with ruckman Reegan O’Rourke impressing with his ability to find his midfield crew.
While Macorna will keep a close eye on Boysen, it was the Tigers’ backline that Robinson singled out as matching it best with the Bombers.
Tigers full-back Josh Berryman has been a standout performer for his side, consistently matching up against the opposing side’s number one forward.
Xavier Wishart is another who has stood tall in defence, providing strong intercept and rebound ability from centre half-back and strongly supported by Travis Mercadante.
Expect the Tigers to be raring to go from the outset as they look to return to the winners’ list after a last-round defeat to Ultima.
After their second win of the year, Murrabit will have a tougher task ahead when they host undefeated Hay.
The Blues sit in fifth position and will hope the weekend bye sees the return of a number of players carrying knocks.
While Murrabit will have to be at their absolute best to upset the reigning premiers, Hay’s trip to Murrabit could spell danger if the Lions go in expecting an easy win.
The return of Dean Harrop last round proved influential as he claimed a game-changing bag of three goals in his return from an injury in round 2.
Jordan Lampi, Pras Sayakhot and Patrick Bryan also have the potential to cause problems for the Lions, while Jacob Wade had been a revelation in the Blues’ backline.
But Hay’s side contains numerous threats the Blues cannot allow to let off the hook, including Declan and Jacob Watson and midfielder Jack Cattanach.
After defeating Macorna last round, Ultima will be looking to turn one win into an undefeated streak, starting against Moulamein this weekend.
The Swans were unlucky in defeat to Murrabit and will hope the likes of Heath Moloney, Rodney Reeves and Ely Miller can have a say this weekend.
After featuring in last weekend’s Central Rivers interleague match, Darcy Farrell returns to club football and will have a big say in how Ultima perform this weekend.
Matt Taverna, Cameron Johnson and Mitch Makepeace will also be players to keep an eye on for the Roos.
