WOORINEN v LAKE BOGA
Lake Boga will face what could be considered their first real test of the season when they travel to Woorinen.
The Magpies have taken all before them so far, with strong wins over Tooleybuc-Manangatang, Koondrook-Barham, Swan Hill and NNW United seeing them sit in unfamiliar territory at the pointy end of the ladder.
While four wins on the trot is nothing to sneeze at – none of their victories have come against opposition that would be considered challenging for a place on the last day of the season. That will all change tomorrow when they face the two-time reigning premiers – especially if the Tigers can replicate the form they showed last Saturday when they dismantled the previously unbeaten Mallee Eagles.
Arnold Kirby has returned in sensational nick in the ruck – and it will be his battle against Lake Boga big man Jacob Simpson that will have a massive bearing on tomorrow’s outcome.
Both teams generate the majority of their drive out of the middle. Jye Barry, Robbie Miller and Josh Domaille have all started the season in form – while the addition of new recruit Dylan Collis against the Eagles was a game changer.
Lake Boga is also loaded through the middle, with Matt Filo, Josh Filo and Nathaniel Holmes-Brown capable of matching it with the Tigers.
The Magpies, however, are ranked just fifth for average points this season with 95 points per game, and have been reliant on former Essendon and Port Adelaide player Angus Monfries, who has 23 goals for the season.
With Tom Eltringham set to miss with injury, Lake Boga will fancy their chances of making it five straight wins – even if Woorinen are a three goal better team at home.
Tip – Woorinen to win by six points.
NNW UNITED v TYNTYNDER
Tyntynder will travel to Nyah to take on the Demons, with the young pups’ intent on returning to the winner’s list and maintaining their top five spot in the process.
The Doggies suffered a shock 11-point loss at the hands of Koondrook-Barham at their last outing – and after having a fortnight to stew on the loss, will be expected to come out hard.
NNW United remain winless after their first four games and find themselves on the bottom of the ladder. The Demons will be buoyed by the return of coach Corey Daniels, who has recovered from a hamstring injury suffered in round one.
Unfortunately for United, the return of their coach will be offset by the losses of Brady Davidson and Cal Dobbin – after both suffered injuries during last week’s loss to Lake Boga.
Tyntynder will also have a number of changes to their line-up, with Tom Bull, Jason Eagle and Nyaburu Kelly all set to miss with injury. Josh Stone will come back in for the Dogs this week, as will Solomon McKay, Harry Simpson and the hard-running Tom Gilbert.
The Demons endeavour over the past few weeks can’t be questioned, but if they are to challenge Tyntynder tomorrow, they must clean up the constant skill errors.
The Dogs big strength is to get the ball to their outside runners and move the ball forward with speed through the likes of Marcus Wattie, Isaiah Bull and Ben Hallam.
While the Demons may be yet to taste victory in 2022, they will be no pushover – however the visitors should still have enough talent to get the job done.
Tip – Tyntynder to win by 10 points.
KOONDROOK-BARHAM v BALRANALD
Both Koondrook-Barham and Balranald will be keen to atone for their performances last week when they meet tomorrow afternoon.
To say Balranald would be disappointed with their effort against Tooleybuc-Manangatang would be an understatement, with the Roos going down at home by 24-points to a team that are widely tipped to finish on the bottom rungs of the ladder.
The River Raiders on the other hand weren’t expected to win the four points against the Kangas last round, but the spiritless first half performance – where they were outscored 10 goals to one – was certainly unexpected.
Koondrook-Barham’s issues from last Saturday may not yet have passed, with the Raiders suffering a number of injuries that will impact their line-up tomorrow. Ruckman Owen Uaongo left the field in the opening minutes and didn’t return against Cohuna and must be in some doubt for tomorrow, while Jake Dick-O’Flaherty also left the field in the second half with injury and played no further part.
The home side will be buoyed by the return of Col McVeigh to bolster their midfield and Josh Hale, who will most likely take one of Drew Lloyd or the returning Ben Fuller. Fuller kicked six goals in the reserves last week in his first game for the season and will almost certainly return to the seniors to provide that deep forward target they’ve been lacking.
The key to who wins will lie with the midfield battle and who gets their hands on the ball around the stoppages.
Tip – Koondrook-Barham to win by 3 points.
KERANG v MALLEE EAGLES
After receiving a reality check at the hands of Woorinen last Saturday, things don’t get any easier for the Mallee Eagles who travel to Kerang to take on the unbeaten Blues.
In what turned into a day to forget for Brent Sheahan’s men, the 80-point loss was compounded by a growing injury list – with midfielders Brady Fordham, Toby Sheahan and Jack Shannahan all coming from the field and not returning.
With the trio joining Harry Allen on the sidelines, the boys from Lalbert could use some good fortune – and while it’s unknown whether any of the Eagles quartet will be absent tomorrow, what’s not up for debate is that they will need all 22 to be fit and firing to challenge Kerang.
Fresh off the bye, the Blues should be cherry ripe for this one. Brandon Hayes will return for Kerang and will likely slot back in to his new role in defence.
The Blues have very few weaknesses, with winners on every line and an ability to move the ball from half back to forward in the blink of an eye. Lachlan Ross has been unstoppable off half back for his new side with his run and drive, as well as his ability to intercept mark.
For the Eagles to cause an upset, they must control possession and not succumb to the relentless pressure from their opposition.
The Eagles also have an unhealthy reliance on Sam Dunstan in front of goal. If they can rectify these issues, the Eagles are some chance, but if not, then it could be another long afternoon at the office.
Tip – Kerang to win by 24 points.
SWAN HILL V COHUNA KANGAS
Swan Hill may be winless after three games, but they will be fired up to cause an upset and get their season back on track when they host the unbeaten Cohuna Kangas.
With Cohuna’s Ben Archard still likely to be plying his trade with Essendon’s VFL side and with Joel Helman and Tyson Findlay both missing with hamstring injuries, the Swans may just have the advantage in the middle.
Matt Wade is still as damaging an on-baller as there is going around and he will look to make his presence felt, along with Toby Thoolen in the ruck. The Swans were missing Luke Phelan and Tyler Makepeace against Lake Boga which hurt their midfield – but it’s hoped they both may return this week to give the home side some much needed speed around the stoppages.
While the Kangas will lose one Findlay, they will regain the services of another – with Jarrod set to return to the side in his absence. The big focus for the Kangas will be on getting the ball inside their forward 50 quick and deep against the Swans and in turn making the most of the sensational form of Rhys Free – who has kicked 18 goals in the past two weeks.
With their season on the line and the Kangas depth set to be tested, a closer than expected game could be in the offering – however it’s hard to see it being close enough to produce an upset.
Tip – Cohuna Kangas to win by 27 points.
