WOORINEN v LAKE BOGA
WOORINEN will be red-hot favourites to extend their winning streak to six when they host Lake Boga Saturday afternoon.
The Tigers have met every challenge so far this season and with Tom Langford set to return, should be expected to account for a young but improving Lake Boga outfit, who fell to Koondrook-Barham by 31 points last Saturday.
The Magpies have shown signs of improvement, however, and will be no push over on Saturday, despite key forward and lead up target Rex Hickman (calf) in doubt.
Josh Stone (back) is expected to miss for Woorinen but his absence will be offset by the return of Langford, who should add to the Tigers bevy of classy ball users.
That is likely to be one of the big differences between the two teams, with Jye Barry, Jose Miliado, Taylor Cameron and Henry Thompson all capable of opening teams up with their ball use out of the middle and spreading from stoppage.
Disposal efficiency has been somewhat of an Achilles heel for the Magpies this season, along with their depth through the midfield, which will be an area of concern against the ladder leaders.
With Matt Perry (17 goals) and Hugh Thompson (14 goals) in form in front of the sticks and Lachlan Gardner leading the way in the ruck, the Tigers should come out on top once again.
Tip – Woorinen to win by 40 points.
COHUNA v KERANG
COHUNA will be looking to return to the winners’ list when they host Kerang Saturday afternoon – but will need to do so without key players Tom Toma and Riley Hird.
The Kangas are expected to be without their onballers after both strained hamstrings during the second quarter of last Saturday’s 30-point loss to the Mallee Eagles.
That defeat was a reality check for the Kangas, who found it difficult to penetrate the Eagles defensive 50 at times.
They should have less of a challenge winning the ball inside their forward half on Saturday however, with Kerang’s back six still finding their way after several personnel changes over the off-season.
The loss of Toma and Hird will certainly hurt Cohuna and their midfield rotations, with Kerang also possessing enough talent through the midfield to trouble the home side.
Marty Kelly is still one of the best contested ball winners in the competition, while Tyson Clingan and Cody Makeham have taken big strides forward in their development this season with the added responsibilities of leadership.
The issue for the Blues lies with their depth and whether they have the quality to go with the Kangas second and third wave of onballers all afternoon.
Tip – Cohuna to win by 42 points.
BALRANALD v MALLEE EAGLES
A PAROCHIAL Greenham Park crowd will be looking for a response from an injury ravaged Balranald when the Roos host the Mallee Eagles this weekend.
After coping a 127-point hiding against the reigning premiers last Saturday, Balranald will take on an even bigger challenge against the rampaging Eagles, who are averaging 118 points per game this season.
The absence of key players Roarke Smith (hamstring), Ben Fuller (pectoral), Lachlan Collihole, Tanner Coulthard and Jess Scott will only make the home side’s task more difficult, with the Roos now without one of their key ball users and forward targets.
The Eagles on the other hand are expected to regain the services of Hamish McGregor and Wes Bennett, with the pair in the mix to replace Troy Anderson and Harry Allen, with Allen needing to pass a fitness test overnight to take his place in the Mallee line-up.
Whether the Eagles risk him remains to be seen, but regardless of whether the dual Jack Betts Medallist lines up or not, the Eagles should still have too much firepower for the Roos.
Tip – Mallee Eagles to win by 60 points.
TYNTYNDER v NNW UNITED
SATURDAY’S encounter with Tyntynder looms as a potential danger game for the reigning premiers, with NNW United looking to secure back-to-back win for the first time this season.
The Demons returned to form in a big way against Balranald last Saturday, but will be without young stars Max Thompson and Ethan Curran, who will be on Pioneers duties this weekend.
Dom Gallo is expected to offset their absence however, with the premiership midfielder set to play his first match since the Demons round 1 win over Swan Hill.
Despite still searching for their first win of the season, Tyntynder are far from the walkover team they could be perceived as, with the Bulldogs defence ranked equal sixth among their Central Murray competition this season for average points against per game.
Harry Simpson is likely to miss Saturday’s match with a knee injury, but the biggest challenge for the Bulldogs will be in how they shut down the Demons run and carry game, especially with Jaydyn Stirling, Brayden Bigham and Charlie Boulton all finding form in last Saturday’s big win over the Roos.
Tip – NNW United to win by 38 points.
