WANDELLA v NULLAWIL
The all-conquering Nullawil will be out to put another notch on their belt when they face off against Wandella tomorrow afternoon.
The Maroons recorded a 110-point win over Quambatook in round one followed up with a dominant 133-point demolition of Ultima last week. And having gone undefeated last season and with an average winning margin of 105-points, it would appear as though it’s going to be much of the same for the Golden Rivers competition in 2022.
Making the Bombers task that little bit harder is the fact that they’ll be without Sam Sperling, with last week’s six-goal forward set to miss. On the plus side, Wandella will regain the services of Brad Delamare who missed their last round loss to Moulamein.
If the Bombers are to pull off the most unlikely of upsets, they will have to find a way to match it with the dominant Nully midfield. Wandella have some exceptionally talented on-ballers, led by Darren Rushton, Kane Timmins, Russell Rich and Mitch Collins – but it will be an extra step up to try and compete with the likes of Matt Quigley, Zac Kelly and Jordan Humphreys.
To make matters worse – especially for the Wandella engine room – they will also have to contend with Grant Ford and Daniel Watts, with both players expected to return to the Nully midfield this week after missing last week’s game through injury – while Dean Putt is also starting to take control in the ruck, having won the Anzac Medal last weekend for best afield against the Roos.
Life will also be difficult for the Wandella back six. Mitch Farmer (12 goals) has started the season on fire, as has fellow key forward Andrew Oberdorfer (11 goals), with the pair continuing their successful partnership in the first two rounds of the season.
Tim Robinson will likely get the job on Farmer, while Jayden Crellin will most likely go to Oberdorfer after doing the job on Moulamein’s Josh Flight last weekend.
While the Bombers will have nothing to lose, the odds of an upset are long – and unlikely.
Tip – Nullawil to win by 50 points.
QUAMBATOOK v HAY
Hay will be desperate to atone for last weekend’s heartbreaking one-point loss when they travel to Quambatook to face the Saints tomorrow.
The Lions came from almost five goals down mid-way through the third quarter, only to fall agonisingly short of the win against Murrabit. While the performance from the young Lion cubs was encouraging, tomorrow’s game will pose a far greater challenge, with Quambatook one of the teams expected to make a significant push deep into September.
Hay are clearly in rebuilding mode, having turned to youth this year in order to promote their next generation up through the ranks. While the future appears bright, the here and now no doubt see a number of inconsistent performances that can often happen with young sides.
The Lions still possess a core group of experienced players that will see them remain competitive – including Fergus Cattanach, Hugh Crighton and their leading goalkicker Simon Bunyan.
For Quamby, Jackson McGrath will come back into the Saints line-up after missing last week and will replace Jordan Lampi, who will miss with injury. Quambatook’s big strength this year is their midfield – and it will be this area of the ground where they will be hoping to expose Hay.
Gregor Knight and Ricky Wild are two quality, experienced on-ballers who rarely put in a bad performance, while Tristan Ramadge has started this season in career best form and has been named among Quamby’s better players on both occasions so far.
While much of Quambatook’s drive comes from their midfield group, their defence is also showing all the signs of being a major factor in their push towards a potential final’s appearance. Jarred Schlitz was able to nullify the dominance of Macorna’s Jaydon Stiles last week, keeping him to a respectable four goals – while Nick Birthisel and Ash Davis were also among the Saints better player’s last Saturday.
While Hay will be no pushover, they should also be no match for a Quamby outfit that will be intent on making a statement to the rest of the competition that they are the next best team in it following Nullawil.
Tip – Quambatook to win by 45 points.
ULTIMA v MACORNA
Macorna will travel to Ultima, with both teams looking to get on the winners list after losses last Saturday.
The Tigers were brought back to earth with a thud, suffering a 64-point loss to Quambatook, while Ultima were dismantled by Nullawil to the tune of 133-points.
Macorna have set themselves the target of playing finals this season – and as such, tomorrow is a game they can ill afford to lose. Kansas Varker will return to the side, while Josh Berryman and Joshua Stiles are also expected to resume after missing last week’s loss.
One player who won’t be out there’, though, is Tigers coach Jaydon Stiles, with the gun forward expected to miss this week with an ankle injury. The coach is not only leading their goalkicking, but also their main forward target.
His absence will see Kyle Symons and the Ultima brains trust breath a little easier, especially with both of their key defenders in Daniel Fox and Martyn Cooper having missed last week’s game through injury themselves. While neither player is expected to return for tomorrows match, the Roos will regain the services of Jack Delmenico, Angus Hinton and full-forward Ryan Devereux.
The midfield battle will be important, particularly the head-to-head match-up between Malcolm Neiwand and Mitch Seton-Stewart. Neiwand has quickly imparted his influence on Macorna’s engine room, with his contested ball winning ability and elite skills making him one of the players to watch in the Golden Rivers.
Seton-Stewart is equally as damaging for Ultima. Darcy Farrell is developing nicely, but if they are to start challenging for victories, the Roos will need more consistency out of the rest of their on-ball brigade.
Tip – Macorna to win by 20 points.
MURRABIT v MOULAMEIN
Murrabit will host Moulamein, with the Swans expected to remain undefeated should everything go according to the script.
The Swans have started the season in impressive fashion with wins over Ultima and Wandella and are the only other side – along with Nullawil – that remains undefeated after two rounds.
Murrabit on the other hand have done it the hard way so far, with last week’s win over Hay coming in dramatic circumstances – as the Blues managed to hold on for a one-point victory over the Lions.
Murrabit will welcome back two key players which will help them enormously, with Daniel Hovey set to return and provide that much needed deep forward target – as well as Brody Green, who will slot straight back into the midfield rotations for the Blues after missing last Saturday’s game.
One player who won’t be out there for the home side will be Tom Hetherington, with the Blues leading goal kicker from last week expected to miss. Hetherington’s absence will be welcome news for the Swans, as his likely combination with key forward Hovey could have potentially spelt trouble for the unbeaten Moulamein.
Instead, it’s likely to be the powerful forward line of the visitors that will give the Blues headaches instead – especially as they try to find a way to quell the influence of Josh Flight. Flight, along with Andrew Silva and Daniel Aarsman, are a dangerous combination – especially when combined with the ease of delivery they were able to get from their midfielders last week.
The easiest way to try and nullify their forward line is to cut off the source – or at least pressure their delivery so as they aren’t able to hit their leading forwards lace out. If the home side can find a way to achieve that, then they’ll be in the game – but if not, then it could be over by half-time.
Tip – Moulamein to win by 32 points.
