SWAN HILL v TOOLEYBUC-MANANGATANG
IT might only be round 2, but there will be a lot to play for at the Showgrounds between Swan Hill and Tooleybuc-Manangatang.
The Swans were found wanting in the first half against Woorinen last Saturday, and although their second half was much better, the damage had already been done.
Meanwhile, the Saints produced an upset against the Mallee Eagles, and if they were to win tomorrow, it would be their first 2-0 start since 2010.
Swan Hill will be without former Melbourne and Port Adelaide onballer Jimmy Toumpas, alongside fellow outs Hamish McDonald and Lachlan Vrolijks, while winger Adam Manning is expected to return. The Saints were expecting an unchanged line-up.
The Swans still have plenty of class around the ball, with Michael Herlihy, Jose Miliado, Tom Isam and Luke Phelan all capable of changing a game off their own boot.
The challenge may prove to be keeping key forward Josh Williams quiet, especially if Kai Kearns, Harrison Maher and Connor Nutting find plenty of the ball as they did last week.
Tip – Tooleybuc-Manangatang to win by eight points.
KERANG v TYNTYNDER
KEARANG will unfurl their premiership flag in front of their home crowd when they host Tyntynder.
The Blues will be in unfamiliar territory, however, as they chase their first win of the season in round 2 after their disappointing four-point loss to Balranald last weekend.
With a vastly different squad to the one which won last year’s grand final, Kerang showed they are still one of the teams to beat and will be favourites against the Bulldogs.
That shouldn’t deter Tyntynder, who upset Cohuna last weekend and will be hopeful of a repeat performance.
Elliott Broad was huge down back last Saturday, along with Harry Simpson and Matthew Gillbee, while the inclusions of Marcus Wattie and Jayden Magro gave the Bulldogs an x-factor around the contest that could easily trouble the Blues.
Tyntynder will be without Kayle Kirby, the three-goal hero from last Saturday returning for a once-off game for his junior club, while Kerang will welcome young gun Harry Bremner into their line-up. Without Kirby, and with Jason Eagle expected to miss again, the Bulldogs may find scoring a bit more difficult against the miserly Blues.
Tip – Kerang to win by 27 points.
COHUNA KANGAS v KOONDROOK-BARHAM
BOTH Cohuna and Koondrook-Barham will be looking for their first wins of the season when the two rivals clash at Cohuna.
The Kangas would have been disappointed not to get the four points last Saturday against Tyntynder, with a poor final five minutes gifting the Bulldogs two late goals to pinch the win.
Jackson Williams is set to miss tomorrow’s game after injuring his hamstring, and dynamic midfielder-forward Ryan Semmel, who kicked three goals and was among the Kangas’ better players last weekend, is also an out.
While also suffering an opening-round loss to NNW United, Koondrook-Barham were impressive for three quarters against last year’s preliminary finalists and look to be a much-improved side.
Billy Driscoll had a major impact out of the middle and will be a player to watch, while the Hura brothers Jason and Nathan were also influential in their first games for the Raiders.
With the Kangas intent on returning to the finals this season, they can ill-afford to drop this game, especially on their home ground, and should get the job done.
Tip – Cohuna to win by 24 points.
LAKE BOGA v BALRANALD
LAKE Boga will run out for their first match of 2024 against Balranald.
The last time these two teams clashed was in round 16 last season, when the Magpies caused a shock five-point upset.
Since that day, the fortunes of both clubs have changed, Balranald going on to play in last year’s grand final and then defeat the reigning premiers last Saturday, while the Magpies lost two of their last three games, including the elimination final, and then lost the bulk of their squad and coaches over the off-season.
As a result, Lake Boga will be focusing on development under new coach Dean Helmers, which will make them an unpredictable quantity.
Brodie Tonkin, Zac Warne and Aaron Lonergan will all return to their home club this season, while Will Doquille should help provide some outside run alongside Ryan Fox and Nathaniel Holmes-Brown.
But with the likes of Harrison Soraggi, Colin Andrews and the Neagle and Lloyd brothers on the other side, tomorrow’s task would appear to be beyond the home side.
Tip – Balranald to win by 50 points.
