TOOLEYBUC-MANANGATANG v KERANG
TOOLEYBUC-Manangatang will be keen to atone for last Saturday’s poor performance against the Mallee Eagles when they host Kerang at Tooleybuc tomorrow afternoon.
After entering with ambitions of playing finals, the Saints were instead bullied into submission by the Eagles as they could manage just one goal, and two scoring shots, for the first three quarters.
Although last Saturday was a setback, Tooleybuc-Manangatang are expected to have a much easier task tomorrow, with Kerang clearly in rebuild mode with just seven of their 22 players from last year’s seniors grand final taking to the park for their 45-point loss to Lake Boga.
While Kerang have undergone plenty of changes from last season, the Saints may have a change of their own, with half back Harrison Maher in doubt with injury for tomorrow’s match.
Maher would be a massive loss for the home team, with his run and creativity off half back often helping turn the game in Tooleybuc-Manangatang’s favour.
Bradlee Pay looms as the key ball user for the Blues, with the veteran among Kerang’s better players last Saturday, along with Flynn McKnight, Cody Makeham and ruckman Rylee Gitsham.
The big challenge for Kerang and Gitsham will be in negating the influence of Tooleybuc-Manangatang ruckman Connor Mcdonald, who was below his Jack Betts Medal winning best last Saturday, with lightning unlikely to strike twice in two weeks for the Saints big man.
Tip – Tooleybuc-Manangatang to win by 36 points.
SWAN HILL v MALLEE EAGLES
AFTER falling 10 goals short against NNW United last weekend, the examinations won’t get any easier for Swan Hill tomorrow, with the Swans hosting the in-form Mallee Eagles.
Although the home side will regain the services of Tom Holdstock and Bohdi Kelly, they will also have to contend with an Eagles outfit that is expected to include Matthew Despott, Troy Anderson and potentially, Brent Macleod.
While the trio will be welcome additions for the blue and gold army, they are expected to miss Shaun Harrison (foot) and Billy O’Meara (elbow) for this weekend’s match, after both suffered injuries against the Saints.
The Mallee Eagles couldn’t have been more impressive in disposing of the Saints last Saturday, with the ball movement and transition from defence, through midfield and into attack helping to ensure they will remain one of the teams to beat this season.
For Swan Hill, they seemingly rely on their key midfielders such as Michael Herlihy, Luke Phelan, Will Simpson and Cooper Angus to get first hands on the ball and drive them deep into attack.
The real challenge for the Swans lies with not only kicking a winning score, but defending one, especially against a forward line that possesses dominant markers Darcy Hourigan, Matt Rankine and Jacob O’Meara.
Tip – Mallee Eagles to win by 60 points
WOORINEN v TYNTYNDER
WOORINEN will go into their first home match of the season against Tyntynder as red-hot favourites this weekend, following their dismantling of Balranald last Saturday.
The Tigers proved far too good for the Roos at Greenham Park, claiming a 67-point win, with key players Jye Barry, Henry Thompson, Lachlan Gardner and Matthew Gardner all returning in form.
Their performance appears ominous for the Bulldogs tomorrow, with midfielder/forward Tom Langford also set to return to further strengthen the home side.
Former Nullawil defender Kyle Doran will come in for his first game in the red, white and blue, however Bevan Taylor looks likely to miss the rest of the season after injuring his shoulder, while Michael Battenally will also miss for the Bulldogs.
Although Tyntynder were more than competitive against Koondrook-Barham last weekend, tomorrow’s match against the Tigers will be another step up in class, with the home side expected to make it two wins in a row to start 2025.
Tip – Woorinen to win by 20 points.
COHUNA v BALRANALD
THE Central Murray will get their first taste of superstar midfielder/forward Ricky Monti, with the star recruit set to line up for the Kangas against rivals Balranald tomorrow afternoon.
Few have entered the Central Murray in recent times with a bigger reputation, with Monti having already played in Golden Square’s 2023 premiership, for which he earned himself the best on ground medal.
Joining Monti in returning to Cohuna this season is Tom Toma, with the pair joining forces with Joel Helman, Jackson Williams, Jarrod Findlay and Jack Geary to form one of the most potent and dangerous midfields in the Central Murray.
Their first test will come against a Balranald outfit that will be licking their wounds following a 67-point defeat at the hands of Woorinen last Saturday.
Several of the Roos recruits looked dangerous against the Tigers, including Cody Henness, Ariki Lowe, Lachlan Collihole and Roarke Smith, but it was their depth and second and third rotations through the midfield where they were lacking, which will be a problem that will most likely continue against the Kangas tomorrow.
Tip – Cohuna to win by 30 points.
