KOONDROOK-BARHAM v KERANG
AFTER impressing, but ultimately falling short against the Mallee Eagles last Saturday, Koondrook-Barham will be aiming to return to the winners list when they host the undefeated Kerang Saturday afternoon.
There is little doubt that the Raiders have been the Central Murray’s big improvers so far this season, with their talented defence and accurate shooters making them a challenging opponent for any side.
While Koondrook-Barham are clearly a team on the rise in 2025, so too are Kerang, who are yet to taste defeat from their three games this season.
In fact, the closest they have come to being beaten was their nine-goal win over Lake Boga in round 1, with the Blues defence of Chloe Adams, Maddy Black and Lily Wise quickly developing into one of the toughest in the Central Murray.
Saturday’s match looms as a battle of the defences, with Kerang yet to concede more then 39 goals in any of their three matches, including their 10-goal win over Swan Hill last Saturday, while the Raiders have conceded an average of just 33 goals per game this season.
With both teams likely to go in unchanged from last weekend, winning form is good form, which makes me lean towards the visitors.
Tip – Kerang to win by two goals.
SWAN HILL v LAKE BOGA
IT’S very rare for a grand final rematch to be relegated down the list of important games just four weeks into a new season, but with just one win between them so far in 2025, that is exactly the case for both Swan Hill and Lake Boga this weekend.
With both clubs undergoing mass changes over the off-season, it’s come as little surprise to see both the Swans and Magpies battle for consistency throughout the early rounds.
For Swan Hill, consecutive losses to the Mallee Eagles and Kerang has seen them fall to eighth on the ladder, just one spot above the winless Lake Boga, who would still be rueing their wasted opportunity in letting slip a six-goal three-quarter time lead against the Saints last weekend.
The Swans will be without defender Tess Meney for Saturday’s must-win match, while the Magpies will also have a different look about them, with Montana Davies and Ruby Ryan expected to come into the A grade side.
Both Davies and Ryan will strengthen up the Magpies midcourt, with Davies to play in the centre and Ryan wing defence, with young shooter Holly Lynas also set to replace Milla Holt against the Swans.
Tip – Swan Hill to win by six goals.
COHUNA v NNW UNITED
THE Cohuna Kangas will welcome star shooter Danni Bird back into their line-up for Saturday’s clash with Nyah-Nyah West United Saturday afternoon.
Bird will be a massive inclusion for the home side, who will need to win the four points in order to retain their place in the top five with Tooleybuc-Manangatang, Balranald and Swan Hill all breathing down their necks.
For NNW United, the equation is even simpler, with the Demons needing to start banking some points if they are any chance of playing finals this season.
Having started the season 0-3, the Demons are now at risk of completely falling from the finals race, with Saturday’s game a must-win for both clubs.
The biggest problem for NNW United has been their trouble finding an effective shooter, with Bridie Curran filling the role last Saturday which allowed Taylen Blachford to return to defence.
With Curran missing Saturday, Blachford will return to the opposite end of the court to partner Madi Jones, with the pair in for a tough afternoon opposed to Carly Geary and Marli Easton.
Tip – Cohuna to win by eight goals.
BALRANALD v TYNTYNDER
BALRANALD will be aiming to claim back-to-back wins when they step out onto the court for the first time in 21 days Saturday afternoon, with the Roos hosting Tyntynder at Greenham Park.
Having recorded a remarkable come from behind win against Cohuna before the Easter break, Balranald will have a very real chance to claim their second win for the season against the winless Bulldogs.
It will be far from a fait accompli however, with Tyntynder’s results belying their on-court competitiveness at times so far in losses to Cohuna, Woorinen and Koondrook-Barham.
The fact that it will be Balranald’s first game in so long will undoubtedly be an advantage for the Bulldogs, who despite still working out their favoured combinations, are begin to settle into what their best team looks like.
Violet Corrie has been a revelation in goals for Tyntynder, while Bridgette King and Bridget Dedini are also beginning to form a strong partnership in defence.
Balranald will welcome Bec Harvey back to their line-up for Saturday’s all-important clash, with the veteran shooter expected to partner Macy Lloyd in goals.
Tip – Balranald to win by three goals.
