QUAMBATOOK v MACORNA
Quambatook will be out to farewell their beloved venue with a win over Macorna in their last home game before they fold.The Saints were disappointed with their performance last weekend — when they were handed a 105-point smacking at the hands of premiership favourites Nullawil – and will be looking to rebuild their confidence tomorrow ahead of a re-match with Maroons in a fortnight.
While there are no excuses for the Saints poor effort – and their goalless first half – they were missing a number of key players. Thankfully, a number of them will return for tomorrow’s game against Macorna, with Jordan Lampi, Pras Sayakhot, Matt George and Martin Angus all set to resume.
The home side may be further boosted by the potential inclusions of key forward Ash Murray and ruckman Michael Bradbury from injury, pending them passing fitness tests at training.
It’s not all good news for the Saints however, with Nick Mason likely to miss along with Christopher Kendall, who injured his hamstring last week and could be in danger of also missing the first final.
Macorna also have injury dramas in their final game of season 2022, with key forward Troy Parker to miss tomorrow’s match. While Parker’s absence will hurt, the Tigers have enough firepower up front to trouble the Saints – provided their midfield can give their forward line enough supply to trouble the well drilled Quambatook defence.
With so much to play for – and with the emotion set to surround the day – it’s hard to see anything but a final home victory for the Saints.
Tip – Quambatook to win by 45 points.
MOULAMEIN v WANDELLA
Moulamein (fourth) will host Wandella (third) in a preview of next weekend’s first semi final between the clubs.
The big question isn’t necessarily around who wins and who plays, but whether either side shows all their cards a week out from their knockout Semi Final – or whether they keep a secret or two up their sleeve.
The Bombers were made to work for their win last Saturday against lowly Hay, while Moulamein made light work of Ultima to guarantee a top five spot for the first time since 2008. The Swans’ form has been up and down in the second half of the season and they will need to build on the positive signs they showed last week.
Wandella will welcome back Matt Wilkinson and Jack Pay, with Wilkinson set to play his first game since Round 11. Unfortunately Dillan Treacy, who missed last week’s win over the Lions, will miss again.
The key for Moulamein will be their ability to win the ball around the stoppages and negate the hard running Bombers on-ball division. The Swans outside run is one of their strengths, but for the likes of Ely Miller, Mason Bailey and Jack Jones to become a factor, they first need to get their hands on the ball at the contest.
One player who they will have to stop is Russell Rich, with the Wandella midfielder in incredible form, having been named among the Bombers better players for the last seven games – including three straight best on ground performances.
While the Swans are always hard to beat at home, the Bombers form since the two clubs last met in Round 9 has been much better.
Tip – Wandella to win by 8 points.
HAY v MURRABIT
Both Hay and Murrabit’s seasons will come to a close when they face off at Hay tomorrow.
While their finals hopes have long been dashed, the Blues have finished their season with a rush, winning their past two games against Macorna and Ultima – and will be desperate to send joint coach Leigh Millard off with a victory.
The Lions have lost their last seven matches, but in recent weeks have been more than competitive, pushing the Bombers until deep into the final quarter last Saturday, following a hard-fought 19-point loss against then finals contenders Macorna.
The Blues will have to get the job done without forward Tom Hetherington, who injured his hamstring last Saturday, while Brody Green and Sean Gillen will be unavailable.
The Blues should still have the edge over the Lions out of the centre, with Marc O’Neill returning to form last Saturday and forming a solid partnership with Dustin Blake, Cameron Hall and the reliable Nathan O’Toole.
While Murrabit should have more class, the Lions like a scrap – and if they can turn it into a dog fight in the likely wet conditions, could well produce an upset.
Tip – Hay to win by 3 points.
NULLAWIL v ULTIMA
Ultima’s disappointing season will most likely come to a disappointing end tomorrow, when they travel to Nullawil for their final game.
The Maroons have lost just one match for the season and Ultima have won only two.
But the Roos are a proud club and will be looking to better the 85-point margin from their last encounter with Nullawil in Round 9. Helping their cause will be the inclusions of Brad Gleeson and Jack Delmenico to add some depth around the ball.
The Roos will struggle up forward, especially with the loss of key forward Ryan Devereux, while Tyrone Munro will also miss.
Nullawil, in contrast, are expected to go into their finals tune-up with an unchanged line-up.
While Ultima will leave nothing on the table, the class of Nullawil should easily prevail – with the potential for it to get messy come the second half when the finish line to the Roos season comes into view.
Tip – Nullawil to win by 70 points.
