MACORNA v NULLAWIL
IT will be Macorna’s turn to face the rampaging Nullawil outfit this weekend – with the Tigers also fighting a two-game losing streak in the process.
While a win against the dominant Maroons would appear unlikely – a competitive performance is a must for Jaydon Stiles’ side, with the Tigers needing to rebuild their confidence – and their season – over the coming weeks.
In order to be competitive against the all-conquering Nully, Macorna must be competitive in the middle. Dean Putt will be missing from the Nullawil team after straining a hamstring last weekend, which could potentially open the door for Nick Leach to do some damage in the ruck. While Leach is a quality ruckman, he will still need to find a way to get the ball into the hands of their key on-ballers Malcolm Neiwand, Dylan Wright and Daniel Green – which will be no easy task in itself against the star-studded Nullawil engine room.
Making it even harder for the home side will be the returns of Andrew Oberdorfer, Patrick Kelly and Brad Slater for the Maroons – with Oberdorfer set to provide that commanding forward presence in the continued absence of Mitch Farmer with a hamstring injury.
While shutting the Nullawil midfield out of the game is a near impossible feat, the Tigers can at least attempt to match them with their contested style and aggression around the contest. If they can manage that, they will at least be competitive.
Tip – Nullawil to win by 60 points.
QUAMBATOOK v MURRABIT
SECOND-placed Quambatook will be out to make it five straight wins when they host the seventh-placed Murrabit tomorrow afternoon.
While the Saints have made every post a winner since their round one loss to Nully, the Blues have been heading in the opposite direction, with just one win (by one-point against Hay in round two) from the opening five rounds.
While their season hasn’t quite gone to plan to this point, Murrabit will have a much stronger look about them tomorrow, with three significant inclusions set to bolster their line-up. Daniel Hovey will play his first game since round three, with the key forward set to partner Tom Hetherington up forward – while key defender Michael Grant will also return for the Blues and will likely play on the in-form Ash Murray.
The other big inclusion for Murrabit is a new one, having just recently signed midfielder Cam Hall for the remainder of the season. Hall, who hails from Geelong, will add significant support to Marc O’Neill and Nathan O’Toole and will be a welcome addition to their midfield rotations.
It isn’t all good news for the visitors however, with Brody Green expected to miss tomorrow’s game with a quad injury and re-join the Blues’ injury list.
While Murrabit will be buoyed be their inclusions, so too will Quamby – with five quality players returning to the line-up as well. Nick Mason, Luke Parker, Jonty Taylor, Michael Hahnel and Tobie Cameron are all set to return for the Saints, with Matt George the only confirmed omission with an ankle injury.
While a rise in form can be expected from Murrabit, it is still hard to see them getting the four points, especially with the strength and structure of the Quamby back six.
Tip – Quambatook to win by 36 points.
HAY v MOULAMEIN
MOULAMEIN will hit the road and make the long trek up to Hay tomorrow – with the Swans intent on returning to their best football ahead of next week’s clash with the all-conquering Nullawil.
Before they turn their attention to the Maroons, they will first have to counter a much-improved Lions outfit that is steadily building into season 2022. The Lions have openly stated there are rebuilding for the future and have invested in their club’s youth this season – and it is already showing signs of paying off.
Angus Gardiner has been in great touch in recent weeks, while Kenneth Hargreaves and Jensen Hargreaves continue to develop each week and show significant signs of improvement. Add to that the incredible form of midfielder Hugh Crighton along with Nathan Wilson, Kenneth Jubb and you can see the Lions will be no pushover.
The only downside may be their lack of strength up forward – with leading goal kicker Simon Bunyan (12 goals from four games) having missed last Saturday’s loss to Nullawil. If Bunyan returns for tomorrows game, then the Lions at home could push the Swans, but if he doesn’t, it’s hard to see them being capable of kicking a winning score.
For Moulamein, it will be all about a consistent four-quarter performance across the board. While it’s widely held that their big strength is their star-studded forward line, it’s their midfield that has been getting the job done in recent weeks.
With Luke Shannon, Morgan Turvey, Ely Miller and Rodney Reeves all finding plenty of the football of late, it would be a very brave person to tip against the Swans getting the four points.
Tip – Moulamein to win by 27 points.
WANDELLA v ULTIMA
WANDELLA will host Ultima tomorrow afternoon with the Bombers looking to tighten their grip on a top-four berth.
Logan Keighran’s men find themselves on a two-game winning streak, after back-to-back victories over Macorna and Murrabit – and will be hell-bent on making it three from three against the winless Roos. While it would appear to be a fait accompli on paper, it will be no easy game in reality providing Ultima turn up with the same attitude and level of intensity they showed against Quamby last Saturday.
The Bombers will regain the services of both Adam McKenzie and Brad Delamare for tomorrow’s must-win match – with Sam Sperling, Dillon Treacy and Ricky Cathie likely to join them pending the outcome of the Bombers training run overnight.
Cathie will be a massive inclusion if passed fit to play, with Wandella suffering in the ruck in recent weeks. With the in-form Jye Purtill awaiting them on Saturday, they will absolutely need him fit and out there to try and give dangerous midfielders Russell Rich, Kane Timmins and Darren Rushton first use of the ball.
For the Roos, Jacob Schaper will be missing from their side, but it will be their midfield grouping of Mitch Seton-Stewart, Darcy Farrell and Jack Delmenico who will have to perform if they are to break their winless streak at the hanger tomorrow.
Tip – Wandella to win by 24 points.
