KERANG v NNW UNITED
A MUCH-improved Nyah-Nyah West United presents a possible danger game for reigning premiers Kerang.
The two teams last met in round 3, when the Blues restricted the Demons to just four goals in their 51-point win.
But if the Blues have struggled against any teams during their past decade of dominance, it has been those who take the game on with speed.
And that is exactly what the Demons do, especially from stoppages, with their attack through the corridor a key reason for their continued improvement.
Kerang has tried to rectify this area with the recruitment of Rylee Smith and development of Josh Nitschke and Sean Hunter, who are all enjoying strong seasons.
The biggest Achilles heel for the Demons may be their ability of their undersized forward line to hit the scoreboard against the well-organised Kerang defence.
NNW United coach Corey Daniels, his brother Riley, Charlie Boulton and Hassan Ahmat-Watkins all need to have big games to challenge the unbeaten Blues.
Kerang are expected to be bolstered by the return of Lachlan Ross, Ryan Gillingham and Marty Kelly, adding further depth to their already strong midfield, while Kayne Davidson will return for the Demons.
Nick O’Neill could also come into the Demons side pending his recovery from concussion, with the versatile big man set to play a key role in combating the dominance of Nick Lang and Troy Davis, while also providing relief for Alex Erlandson in the ruck.
While Kerang deserve to go in as warm favourites, an upset would not surprise, even on the Riverside Park oval the Blues play so well.
Tip – Kerang to win by 16 points.
SWAN HILL v MALLEE EAGLES
ANYTHING short of victory is likely to ruin the finals chances of Swan Hill.
The danger for the Swans is that they are fresh off the bye, and with their record standing at 0-3 following a week off in 2023, they can ill-afford to be complacent against the eighth-placed Mallee Eagles.
The Eagles were humbled last Saturday in their 74-point away loss to Lake Boga, a match they were expected to be competitive in.
Losing key onballer Darcy McGregor (broken arm) and the dangerous Brent Macleod (hamstring) early on didn’t help their cause, with both players ruled out for Saturday.
Swan Hill will welcome back Zach Mihocek from concussion, while Matt Pearse will miss in an otherwise settled line-up.
Harry Allen and Beau Bennett have been in sensational form in the midfield in recent weeks, along with Zac O’Meara and Harry McGregor down back, with the Swans needing to keep a close eye on all four Eagles.
The Swans rely heavily on talented veterans Matthew Wade, Xavier Moloney, Luke Phelan, Toby Thoolen and Jose Miliado, all of whom have been regularly among Swan Hill’s better players this season.
Both clubs play their best footy when they win the contested ball count, particularly around the stoppages, and the team who holds sway in this area is likely to come out on top.
Tip – Swan Hill to win by 19 points.
KOONDROOK-BARHAM v TYNTYNDER
TYNTYNDER will be out to snap their six-game losing streak against Koondrook-Barham.
While that may not make for great reading if you are a Bulldogs supporter, they have pushed good sides in Balranald, Woorinen and Cohuna in their last three matches before fading out in the last quarters.
They will enter this clash against Koondrook-Barham as favourites, especially with Tate Hulland and Roy George set to return after missing last Saturday’s 39-point loss to Balranald.
The news is not all good for the visitors, however, with Tyrone Bean expected to be missing from Saturday’s line-up.
Injury hit Koondrook-Barham’s season seems to go from bad to worse, with the River Raiders succumbing to NNW United by 149-points last weekend – their heaviest loss of the season to date.
Their injury-ravaged list has taken a big hit in the second half of the season, although it’s hoped Harley Burmeister-Lyons and Dom Cirillo may return against the Dogs.
The battle in the middle will be a hard-fought affair, with Koondrook-Barham having enough talent to compete with Tyntynder through their first rotations, but it’s the Raiders second and third wave where they are likely to get exposed, and allow the Bulldogs to claim their third win of the season.
Tip – Tyntynder to win by 36 points.
