GOLDEN RIVERS FOOTBALL LEAGUE – ROUND 10 PREVIEW
HAY v MURRABIT
With both club’s seasons on the line, a hard-fought contest can be expected when Murrabit travel to Hay to take on the Lions.
With both Hay (fifth) and Murrabit (sixth) two wins outside the top four, the loser of tomorrow’s game will see any hopes of a finals finish completely extinguished.
The Lions got the chocolates back in round three with a 15-point win when they last played the Blues.
On that occasion, Hay jumped out of the blocks with a six-goal to three first quarter and maintained that advantage right throughout the afternoon.
Nathan Henry was the main target that day for Murrabit and kicked four goals and his likely absence tomorrow will leave a big for the Blues.
Tom Hetherington found form up forward last weekend, booting four goals, but will need more help from the likes of Aaron Danson and Sam Harvey if their team are to kick a winning score tomorrow.
The midfield battle promises to be an intriguing one with Hugh Crighton and Tim Zambon going up against the likes of Bryden Morison, Nathan O’Toole and Marc O’Neill.
With not much separating either side, it could well come down to the team who wins the contested ball count as well the clearances that ends up winning the four points.
Both sides rely on run from the back half in order to go forward. It’s no coincidence that Hay’s strong first half against league leaders Nullawil last weekend coincided with the return of Jack Cattanach and the addition of Sebastian Webb to the half back line, with their run and drive pivotal in their clubs improved performance.
For Murrabit however, Michael Grant’s run and drive from their defensive half of the ground is equally important for the Blues chances of victory. In terms of a winner, it’s hard to go past Hay, who are a two to three goal better team on their home deck; and in the end it’s this small advantage that should see the Lions keep their finals hopes alive.
Tip – Hay by 7 points.
NULLAWIL v MACORNA
It’s Macorna’s turn this week to take on the toughest task in the Golden Rivers Football Netball League; trying to topple the undefeated Nullawil at home.
Nully were made to fight for the four points in a scrappy first half last weekend up at Hay, although 12 goals after the main break from the Maroons quickly restored order and snuffed out any possible upset.
Macorna on the other hand had their hands full against Moulamein last Saturday; and despite a good first half fell away after the half time, with consistency within games once again proving to be the Tigers downfall.
Nullawil have so far had one of the most dominant seasons ever seen in the Golden Rivers; and that dominance shows no signs of slowing anytime soon.
The Maroons have won every quarter they’ve played in their seven games in 2021 bar two; both of which were last quarters when games were well and truly decided.
Nully made light work of Macorna when they last met back in round three, with the Maroons running out comfortable 118-point winners.
Mitch Farmer booted six goals on that occasion, and he looms as the danger man again, along with Andrew Oberdorfer up front. Kyle Doran has found form after the enforced lay off, while Matt Quigley and Grant Ford are quality midfielders who always find plenty of the ball.
Macorna simply have to outwork and out run their opponents for the full four quarters if they are to have any chance of causing an upset; and they must get their hands on the ball first around the contest.
Nicholas Leach in the ruck will be crucial for his team and if he can find a way to get the ball into the hands of Jordan Simpson and Josh Stiles then they could be a sneaky chance.
At the moment it’s impossible to tip against Nullawil however, with the likelihood of the Maroons going through the season undefeated only growing with each big win.
Tip – Nullawil by 70 points
QUAMBATOOK v WANDELLA
Both Quambatook and Wandella will be desperate for the four points when the two top four teams meet at Quamby tomorrow afternoon.
With both teams sitting third and fourth on the ladder, the game will take on extra importance, with either side almost guaranteeing themselves finals action with a win.
This will be the second meeting between these two teams this season, after Wandella defeated the Saints by 38-points back in round three.
On that day Michael Rowe was the chief destroyer for the Bombers with five goals, while Darren Rushton’s three majors and dominant game through the midfield saw him earn best afield honours. Wandella full back Matt Wilkinson was another key player in the round three encounter, which was the last time he pulled on the boots this season.
Wlikinson is expected to return to the side tomorrow afternoon and will be a welcome addition to the Bombers key defensive stocks.
Expect the game to be won and lost through the midfield, with a number of key on-ballers for both sides in great form over the last few games.
Tobie Cameron has been in scintillating form this season and has been named among the Saints better players in every game thus far, while Gregor Knight has been one of the competitions leading midfielders for a number of years now.
For the Bombers, starting on-ballers Mitch Treacy and James Flack’s return the side last weekend strengthened their midfield depth, however wingman Brad Delamare is expected to miss after breaking his thumb in last Saturday’s win over Murrabit.
One area of the game where Wandella are likely to have an edge is up forward, with Logan Keighran, Justin Robinson and Chris Wilson all proving problematic at times throughout this season.
Wilson in particular has been the key man up forward for the Bombers in recent weeks having kicked twelve goals from his last three matches.
If any side is capable of stopping them though it’s the Saints, with Qumaby’s back six giving up just 74 points on average per game in 2021, giving them the second-best record in the Golden Rivers.
With Chris Kendall, Jason Linke and Jason Butty all possible inclusions from injury this week, it could well give Quambatook the edge at home, in what could well be one of the closest games for the season.
Tip – Quambatook by 3 points in an upset
ULTIMA v MOULAMEIN
Moulamein will go in as red-hot favourites when they travel to Ultima to take on the winless Roo’s this Saturday afternoon.
The Swans will go in full of confidence on the back of their 61-point win over Macorna last weekend, with Luke Smailes having a day out, kicking ten goals for his team.
The Swans forward line will only get stronger too in a bad sign for the home side, with Andrew Silva expected to return to the team tomorrow.
Silva was one of the shining lights for Moulamein through the early rounds of the season, kicking 30 goals from the opening five games of 2021.
Throw Michael Morson and Daniel Aarsman into the mix and all of a sudden you have a very potent attack capable of kicking very big scores.
Keir Steegstra is also a chance of returning to a Swans outfit who is starting to get their best 22 out on the park.
Ultima on the other hand is also expected to be boosted by a number of handy inclusions, including Luke O’Toole, Shannon Milward, Brendan Hole and Brendan Sacilotto. Sacilotto in particular is important in for the Roo’s, as he will likely be the first-choice option to take the dangerous Silva.
The hardest part for Ultima will be who they need to shut out of the game, with Moulamein having a number of contributors week on week.
Nathan Buckley, Jacob Thorne, Robert Main and James White have all had consistent seasons, while speedy pair Brady Fordham and William Gibson will also need some attention.
If Ultima are to be any chance of causing an upset, they will need to get it done out of the middle.
Tom Bull and Mitch Seton-Stewart have been in good form over the last few games, but will need help from the likes of Will Watson, Brendan Hole and Brodie Bennett if they are to break through for their first win.
Unfortunately for the Roo’s it’s hard to see Moulamein dropping this one, as they need to keep their winning form going if they want to finish top two and earn that prized double chance.
Tip – Moulamein by 36 points.
