KERANG v BALRANALD
KERANG and Balranald will both be looking to bounce back from tough losses last Saturday when the two clubs clash at Riverside Park Saturday afternoon.
The Blues proved no match for the rampaging Cohuna Kangas last Saturday, going down 53 points, while the Roos were thrashed by 122 points against the Mallee Eagles.
It was Balranald’s third defeat by more than 100 points this season, a concerning trend for a club that prides themselves on being competitive even against the most fiercest opposition.
The Roos won’t be the first team to be humbled by the Eagles this season, nor will they be the last, however the returns of key players Roarke Smith, Tanner Coulthard and Will Lowry should give the visitors a welcome boost ahead of Saturday’s match against Kerang.
On the flip side, the Blues will be without half back Dominic Dick-O’Flaherty (knee) and defender Jayden Crellin (shoulder) on Saturday, with Dick-O’Flaherty expected to miss the rest of the season in a major blow for the home side.
Crellin’s absence will be offset by the return of key defender Tom Hetherington, who has missed the last three games, while full-forward Zac Bozanich will also return for the home side.
Bozanich looms as a key player for Kerang, who lacked a strong target deep forward against the Kangas, with his inclusion helping to sway the advantage the Blues way.
Tip – Kerang to win by 15 points.
MALLEE EAGLES v TYNTYNDER
THE Mallee Eagles will be aiming for their third consecutive win when they host Tyntynder at the Lalbert Recreation Reserve Saturday afternoon.
The home side will be boosted by the returns of Troy Anderson and co-coach Harry Allen, with full-back Joe Halloran also likely to return pending the result of an overnight fitness test.
While the Eagles have the depth to cover their absences, the returns of Allen and potentially Halloran will be a massive boost, given their class and importance to the Mallee teams structure.
Tyntynder on the other hand will come into the match still searching for win number one, with the Bulldogs pushing the reigning premiers last Saturday, but still ultimately falling short.
It’s been the story of their year thus far, with Tyntynder being competitive in patches, but unable to produce a full four quarter performance that challenges the Central Murray’s better teams.
The Bulldogs biggest problem has been their inability to hit the scoreboard, with the Bulldogs yet to kick no more than eight goals a game this season.
Worryingly, they will come up against one of the league’s stingiest defences on Saturday, with the Eagles conceding just over 45 points per game on average in 2025.
Tip – Mallee Eagles to win by 50 points.
LAKE BOGA v COHUNA
AN injury ravaged Lake Boga will host a hungry and determined Cohuna outfit on Saturday without three key players from last Saturday’s loss to Woorinen.
Zac Warne (AC joint), Jayden Lonergan (hamstring) and Ryan Fox (suspension) will all miss the Magpies clash against the Kangas, with all three set to leave a big hole for coach Dean Helmers to fill.
It is expected to be one of the youngest teams Lake Boga have put on the park on Saturday as a result, with the club continuing to develop their youth for a tilt at the top of the Central Murray ladder in future years.
That will be of little help against a dangerous Cohuna team who will be hungry to keep pace with Woorinen and the Mallee Eagles in the race to top spot, with Brenton Conforti to return at the expense of Will O’Shea (concussion).
Ricky Monti was sensational last Saturday and is beginning to show why he came into the Central Murray with such a big reputation, while Joel Helman, Chris Anderson and Sam Mcglone are all match winners in their own right and should ensure the Kangas continue to retain their top three spot.
Tip – Cohuna to win by 45 points.
SWAN HILL v KOONDROOK-BARHAM
SWAN Hill will unveil new recruit Jamie Church Saturday afternoon when the Swans host Koondrook-Barham at the Showgrounds.
Church, who played with assistant coaches Will Simpson and Anthony Foott at Woomelang, will come into a Swan Hill team that has been ravaged by injuries in recent weeks.
Koondrook-Barham will be full of confidence after their impressive win over Tooleybuc-Manangatang last Saturday, with the Raiders looking to consolidate their top five spot with a win.
They will have to do so without gun midfielder Lee Dale and injured youngsters Ryleigh Wilkinson and Nate Pretty, although key defender Isaac Corvo is expected to return.
The Raiders have been impressive throughout the opening six rounds of the season, playing with a well organised defensive structure behind the ball under new coach Marcus Demaria which the Saints found difficult to pick through last weekend.
The other encouraging sign has been the return to form of some of the more experienced players, with Jacob Barrington sensational in the ruck, while Jack Shannon, Patrick Goble and Jack Thomas also found plenty of the ball.
If Swan Hill are to compete, they will need more from their more experienced players such as Tom Holdstock, Tom Corridan, Luke Phelan, Kallen Heslop and Simpson, all of which at their best are more than capable of taking it up to the Raiders.
Tip – Koondrook-Barham to win by 48 points.
