AFTER escaping with the four points against a determined NNW United last Saturday, Woorinen will be looking to make it five wins on the trot when they face Tyntynder this weekend.
With the Bulldogs fresh off a two-week break, and with seven senior players returning to their line-up, this shapes as a danger game for the third- placed Tigers, who were “pretty ordinary” against the Demons according to coach Marcus Demaria.
Brock Storer, Patrick Blake, Roy George, Tyrone Bean, Jason Eagle, Cayden Crowe and senior coach Josh Stone are all returning for Tyntynder in a major boost for both their forward line and midfield.
Woorinen will also have a couple of changes, with defender Mitch Taylor expected to miss the game, while Danko Bzenic, who has missed the last month with a hamstring injury a chance to resume after being close to returning last weekend.
While the Bulldogs will provide a much sterner test now they are getting close to full strength, their biggest challenge will be trying to match the Tigers class in the midfield, with Josh Domaille and Jye Barry in sublime form in recent weeks.
The other big threat for Woorinen is William Collicoat, with the elusive forward posing all sorts of problems deep in attack for Tyntynder when the two sides met back in round 2.
Collicoat kicked six goals that day and led the Tigers to a commanding 113-point victory on what was a dirty day for the Bulldogs.
While the margin isn’t expected to be that great, the home side would still appear up against it in their pursuit of an upset.
Tip – Woorinen to win by 21 points.
TOOLEYBUC-MANANGATANG v SWAN HILL
SWAN Hill will be out for redemption when they face Tooleybuc-Manangatang.
Both clubs’ fortunes have headed in very different directions following their round 2 meeting this season, which it is hard to believe ended in a 71-point win to the Saints.
Since that afternoon, Tooleybuc-Manangatang have won just one more match (against Koondrook-Barham in round 10), while Swan Hill have improved markedly, with five wins from nine matches and currently locked in a battle for fifth spot on the ladder.
The Swans’ inaccuracy was partly to blame, producing 5.13 for the afternoon, but they were still comfortably outplayed, with the Saints having 29 scoring shots and Josh Williams kicking eight goals for the match.
Williams again looms large over the encounter, with the key forward kicking all three of his teams’ goals last weekend in their 77-point loss to Lake Boga.
Swan Hill don’t have a logical match up for the dominant key forward, however that should be of little concern, with Matthew Wade, Jose Miliado, Tom Holdstock and Brandon Houlihan rotating through the midfield.
If the Swans can get first hands on the ball, especially with Toby Thoolen in the ruck, that will go a long way to helping them not only win the territory battle, but also nullify the influence of Williams.
Their biggest issue may be in hitting the scoreboard, with Zach Mihocek to miss with concussion, but if they can overcome that hurdle, they will keep themselves well and truly in the hunt for finals.
Tip – Swan Hill to win by 14 points.
MALLEE EAGLES v KERANG
AFTER suffering a humiliating 161-point loss the last time they met, the Mallee Eagles will be determined to give a far greater account for themselves when they host Kerang.
The Eagles have been on the improve in recent weeks, highlighted by their 70-point win over the Raiders last Saturday, and while their defeat in round 2 means the Blues go in as unbackable favourites, there were mitigating circumstances, such as playing the second half with no bench, that saw the score blow out that day.
In the home side’s favour will be the absence of Michael Dalrymple (hamstring) and Marty Kelly (suspension) from the Blues’ line-up, although Tyson Clingan is expected to be available after recovering from a broken collarbone.
The Mallee Eagles have enough quality players to challenge Kerang, with Beau Bennett, Harry Allen and Darcy McGregor all finding plenty of ball in the midfield, while Brent Macleod has also been in good form, kicking hauls of seven and four goals in his past two matches.
Kerang have class all over the field however, with Josh Nitschke, Rylee Smith and Hayden Hall bringing plenty of speed to the Blues’ midfield, and Brad Pay, Sam Heavyside and Josh Hann bringing the hardened edge to win it on the inside.
While the Eagles should put forward a much better account of themselves than in round 2, it won’t be enough to earn them the four points.
Tip – Kerang to win by 58 points.
COHUNA v KOONDROOK-BARHAM
A BIG week for both Koondrook-Barham and the Cohuna Kangas will end tomorrow afternoon when the two clubs clash in the final match of round 12.
By tomorrow, the Kangas future in the Central Murray will become somewhat clearly following last night (Thursday’s) club vote on their potential move to the Heathcote District Football Netball League.
It has also been a big week for the tri-colours, with the reappointment of senior coach Will Callow for next season a sure sign that the rebuilding Raiders are on the right track.
Although winless so far in 2023, there had been somewhat positive signs in recent weeks for Koondrook-Barham, although much of that good work was undone in their 70-point defeat to the Mallee Eagles last Saturday.
Their task won’t get any easier against rivals Cohuna, with Dylan Johnstone and Anthony Fagan expected to return to the side that lost to Balranald seven days ago.
Johnstone’s return is a timely one, with full forward Rhys Free expected to miss with concussion, while late-season recruit Matthew Landini will miss with a back injury.
Cohuna will go in as red-hot favourites, especially on their home deck, with the Kangas to try and put the River Raiders to the sword early in the chase of a percentage booster.
Tip – Cohuna Kangas to win by 42 points.
