QUAMBATOOK v NULLAWIL
ALL eyes will be on the Quambatook Recreation Reserve tomorrow afternoon to see whether lightning really does strike twice – with the Saints set to host ladder leaders Nullawil.
Quambatook sent shockwaves through the Golden Rivers competition back in round 8, defeating the Maroons by two-points the last time both teams met.
The Saints were able to handle the windy conditions better on that occasion, with a three-goal second quarter while kicking into the wind helping them set up the upset victory.
One area where Quambatook will be hoping for a repeat performance will be with their efficiency going inside forward 50, with the Saints’ forwards able to create one-on-one contests forward of centre and expose Nullawil’s defensive structure.
The other key element to Quambatook’s win that day was the ability of the midfield to work hard both ways, with their on-ballers out working their opposite numbers to repel Nullawil’s advances.
While that afternoon may have served as a warning to the competition – and Nullawil – that they are beatable, there were also mitigating circumstances that won’t be a factor this time around.
Andrew Oberdorfer and Dean Putt both missed that game, while Mitch Farmer was in his first game back from a hamstring injury.
Farmer has now since found form again and will pose a significant threat tomorrow, especially on the back of having kicked 34 goals in the past four matches. In a further boost, the Maroons will also welcome Dylan Joyce back to their line-up, however will lose Josh Bamford to injury.
Quambatook, on the other hand, will have a number of important inclusions, with Pras Sayakhot, James Blackwell and Michael Hahnel all expected to return after missing last Saturday’s hard-fought, 12-point win over Wandella, while Mark Ellis is the only notable omission to this stage.
While the midfield battle, which is set to pit Matt Quigley, Daniel Watts and Jonathan Casey up against Tobie Cameron, Ricky Wild and Gregor Knight, will be worth the price of admission alone – it’s expected that Nully should return things to their natural order. Although, anything’s possible, as Quambatook have already proven.
Tip – Nullawil to win by 28 points.
WANDELLA v HAY
WANDELLA will be out to return to the winners list when they host Hay tomorrow afternoon, following the Bombers heartbreaking six-point loss to Quambatook last Saturday.
That loss has now locked Wandella into a date with the elimination final in a fortnight’s time and means they will face the prospect of knockout football in a fortnights time. Hay, on the other hand, find themselves at the other end of the ladder, with the Lions locked in a battle with Ultima for the wooden spoon for the remainder of the season.
Hay were more than competitive last Saturday against Macorna and will fancy their chances of success, considering they recorded an upset two-goal win over Wandella when the two sides last met in round 8.
Coming from behind, the Lions kicked the only two goals of the final quarter on that occasion to register the shock result, with Brad Pocock, Daniel Stewart and Dean Aylett all starring.
David Webb will be hoping from more of the same from his key players, especially with the Russell Rich led Wandella midfield showing signs of improvement in recent weeks. Rich has been a sensational pick-up for the Bombers this season and has taken ownership of the midfield in recent weeks with a number of best afield performances.
With Wandella set to welcome back Corey Walters – and the Bombers a three goal better side at home, a comfortable home victory can be expected.
Tip – Wandella to win by 45 points.
ULTIMA v MOULAMEIN
MOULAMEIN will be hoping to lock away a finals berth with victory over Ultima tomorrow afternoon.
The Swans find themselves a game and percentage clear inside the top four of Macorna (fifth) and with just one round remaining, can just about secure their first Seniors finals appearance since 2008.
Ultima, on the other hand, will have other ideas and while their finals hopes have long since faded, would love nothing more than to ruin the dreams of Moulamein.
The Swans put in a competitive first half against ladder leaders Nullawil last Saturday before falling away after the main break. The challenge for Heath Moloney’s men will be to bring the same level of intent and attack on the ball that they did in the first half last Saturday on a more consistent basis for the remainder of the season – with that standard set to be more than good enough to account for the Roo’s tomorrow.
Ultima will be further challenged against the Swans by the absence of a number of key players, with Jacob Schaper, Bradd Gleeson and Sam Hinton all set to go out of the side that lost to Murrabit by 16-points last weekend. It’s not all bad news for the Roos, however, with Jack Delmenico set to return following his concussion sustained against Wandella.
Beau Duggan Hulands has been in sensational form in recent weeks, having kicked 14 goals from his past three games to lead the way up forward for the Swans, with Josh Flight playing higher up the ground.
While Moulamein’s key position stocks are a source of strength, with Moloney another who has been instrumental to the Swans success to this point, it’s the Swans midfield who’ll be expected to step up and get the job done tomorrow.
Daniel Aarsman, Morgan Turvey, Rodney Reeves, Luke Shannon and Mason Bailey have all been dominant through the centre in recent weeks – and if they can find that same level of performance again tomorrow, should be too strong for the home side tomorrow.
Tip – Moulamein to win by 36 points.
MACORNA v MURRABIT
THE final match of round 14 will see Macorna attempt to keep their season alive when they host Murrabit – although their finals chances are now well and truly out of their own hands.
The Tigers need Moulamein to lose next Saturday to Wandella – which is quite possible to happen – while at the same time getting the job done both tomorrow and against Quambatook in the final game of the home-and-away season.
While Macorna look set to go into tomorrow’s must-win game unchanged, the same can’t be said for Murrabit, with the Blues set to lose ruckman Ben Gillingham to a knee injury for the remainder of the season.
While Gillingham’s loss will be profound, the visitors are set to be bolstered by the returns of Ashton Wood and Darcy Grant. Also a chance of resuming will be Cameron Hall (hamstring) and Tom Copland (finger), providing both players get through a fitness test at training overnight, with Hall’s hamstring injury not as serious as first thought.
The biggest challenge for Murrabit will be finding a way to restrict Macorna’s forward line, especially on the back of full-forward Jaydon Stiles’ six-goal haul seeing him return to form against Hay last Saturday – with Michael Grant set to get first crack at stopping the Tigers coach.
The midfield battle will be where this game is likely to be decided, with the team that wins the contested ball count and gets on top around the stoppages likely to also claim the four points.
Tip – Macorna to win by 15 points.
