BALRANALD v TYNTYNDER
THE debut of Balranald recruit Jackson Ferguson will have the Greenham Park locals excited when Tyntynder visits.
Ferguson looms as being the last piece of the puzzle in Balranald’s push to go one better in 2024, a key position swingman equally capable at either end of the ground.
Just where he plays is the big question, with Tyntynder forward Jason Eagle needing attention, yet the Bulldogs have no obvious candidate to stand Ferguson in their defensive half.
The visitors will also have to find a way to contain the Neagle and Lloyd brothers, who have all started the new season in fine fashion during wins over Kerang and Lake Boga.
Tyntynder have enough weapons to trouble the Roos, however, and will travel north confident that their best football can compete with the best teams.
With Roy George and Isaiah Bull finding plenty of the footy and joining forces with class players Marcus Wattie and Jayden Magro, the Bulldogs possess a midfield capable of running with the talented Balranald onball division.
While Glen Gillbee will miss with Pioneers duties, Balranald should still prove too strong, especially on their home ground, which is fast becoming a fortress.
Tip – Balranald to win by 20 points.
NNW UNITED v MALEE EAGLES
NYAH-Nyah West United will be aiming to maintain their unbeaten start to 2024 when they meet the Mallee Eagles at Lalbert this weekend.
The Demons will be buoyed by the expected returns of experienced pair Corey Daniels, giving another avenue to goal in an already dangerous forward line, and Jarrod Skinner.
Brandyn Grenfell was unstoppable last Saturday against the Saints, kicking seven goals, and will once again be a key piece of the puzzle.
The Eagles have Toby Sheahan, Jai Middleton and Billy O’Meara on the cusp of a return, although all three will need to pass fitness tests in order to take their place.
The key for the home side will be the midfield, where big games are needed from Beau Bennett, Brent Macleod, Darcy McGregor and Brady Fordham.
If the Eagles can get their strong stoppage game going then an upset could be on the cards, but they will also need to find a way to nullify the Demons’ outside speed.
Tip – NNW United to win by 14 points.
COHUNA KANGAS v TOOLEYBUC-MANANGATANG
AFTER a competitive performance for three quarters last week against the ladder-leading Demons, Tooleybuc-Manangatang will have an unchanged line-up when they travel to meet the Cohuna Kangas.
The home side will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing performance against Woorinen.
It’s no secret that Cohuna’s depth is currently being tested, with key players Jackson Williams (hamstring), Daniel Coates (hamstring) and Chris Anderson (hand) missing, however they simply must find a way to win before their season quickly slips away.
Joel Helman continues to dominate out of the middle, while Jack Geary, Sam McGlone and Xavier Mitchell all found plenty of the ball last week, but it was the constant turnovers by foot that hurt the Kangas the most.
The Saints, on the other hand, have been nothing but impressive and possess a midfield that could challenge the home side, Elliott Chalmers, Balke Grant and Kai Kearns all dominating around the stoppages thanks to the in-form Connor McDonald.
While Cohuna are a three goal better side on their own home ground, they will need a significant turnaround in form based on last Saturday.
Tip – Tooleybuc-Manangatang to win by four points.
LAKE BOGA v KOONDROOK-BARHAM
(CENTRAL MURRAY LIVE MATCH)
WINLESS and in the bottom two, Lake Boga and Koondrook-Barham face the prospect of falling even further away from the competition.
The match looms as the perfect opportunity for the River Raiders to follow their netball counterparts in breaking a 21-game losing streak, but they will still need to improve based on their previous fortnight against Cohuna and Kerang.
Lake Boga were impressive against Tyntynder last Saturday, despite not getting the job done, with their attacking game style likely to challenge.
The only negative for the Magpies is their growing injury list, with William Doquille (hamstring) to join Lachlan Wooding and Jarrod Taylor on the sidelines.
The midfield looms as the key battleground, with Brodie Tonkin, Nathaniel Holmes-Brown and Ryan Fox set to lock horns against Jack Shannon, Patrick Goble and Jason Hura to decide which team breaks through for win No.1.
Tip – Lake Boga to win by 12 points.
