TOOLEYBUC-MANANGATANG v NNW UNITED
THE return of two veterans, along with the addition of a star recruit, will ensure Nyah-Nyah West United go in as favourites to make it five straight wins against Tooleybuc-Manangatang on Saturday.
The reigning premiers have seemingly turned the corner following a slow start to the season, with consecutive wins against Kerang, the Mallee Eagles, Tyntynder and Balranald seeing them knocking on the door of the top three.
Although the Demons have been steadily building, Saturday’s match against the Saints looms as a statement day with former Western Bulldogs and Sydney Swans forward – and Woorinen utility – Patrick Veszpremi set to make his debut in the red and blue.
Veszpremi is a late addition to the NNW United line-up with his recruitment announced a couple of weeks ago, but is sure to add a touch of class either up forward or on the ball for Demons.
Also set to have an impact on Saturday will be Brady Davidson and Alex Erlandson, with the pair set to return from injury, with Ethan Curran and potentially Max Thompson set to miss with Bendigo Pioneers duties.
The Demons won’t be the only one to make changes to their side, with Tooleybuc-Manangatang also set to be without Isaac Franks and Josh Grant for the must-win match.
Franks will be a huge loss following his seven goal haul against Balranald last week, with the key forward set to leave a huge hole to fill.
Harry Maher is also in doubt following his shoulder injury last weekend, with the Saints needing to get first hands on the ball if they are any chance of causing an upset on Saturday.
Tip – NNW United to win by 45 points.
LAKE BOGA v MALLEE EAGLES
ISAIAH Bull, Joe Halloran and Matt Despott will all return for the Mallee Eagles’ clash with an undermanned Lake Boga Saturday afternoon.
The Eagles are slowly nearing full strength with all three inclusions set to have a big impact on their defensive half of the ground, with Halloran expected to line-up at full back and relieve Tom McGregor to play further up the ground.
The Magpies on the other hand will lose Max Caruso from the side which lost to Tyntynder by 23 points last Saturday, in a match where they were in the game up until a fourth quarter fade-out.
Although Lake Boga have made taken some strides forward this season, their depth has at times been tested with the loss of players such as Braden Padmore and Nelson Ibbs, both of whom will miss Saturday’s match.
It won’t just be the Magpies’ depth that will be tested on Saturday, with their midfield also expected to be undermanned against the deep and talented Mallee Eagles’ engine room.
Harry Allen, Darcy McGregor, Brent Macleod, Matt Rankine and Brady Fordham are all among the best midfielders in the competition and should find plenty of the ball around the stoppages.
With many expecting the Eagles to get the job done comfortably, most of the attention will be centred around Darcy Hourigan and the four goals he needs in order to pass 1000 career goals.
Tip – Mallee Eagles to win by 75 points.
KOONDROOK-BARHAM v BALRANALD
KOONDROOK-Barham will be aiming to bounce back from last Saturday’s 45-point loss to Woorinen when they host Balranald in a must-win game for the Raiders this weekend.
With the Demons climbing up to fourth and the Saints snapping at the heels of the top five, Koondrook-Barham are the team currently in the top five firing line, with the Raiders needing to make every post a winner from this point forward.
Games like Saturday’s against the Roos are ones that the Raiders simply must win if they are to break their six year finals drought this season.
It will be far from a guaranteed victory however, with Benji Neal (knee) and Jack Thrum (calf) both expected to miss Saturday’s match, while Ryan Bassett and Harry Bremner are also in doubt pending Bendigo Pioneers selection.
Ryleigh Wilkinson and James Martin should return for the Raiders, while Lachlan Bence and Tanner Coulthard should come into Balranald’s line-up to help strengthen their midfield.
Coulthard has proven to be a clean user of the ball out of the middle for the Roos this season and should give Ben Fuller and Colin Andrews plenty of opportunities to stretch the Koondrook-Barham defence.
The challenge for Balranald will be with getting first use of the ball around the stoppages, as even without Neal in their line-up, the Raiders’ midfield of Lee Dale, Patrick Goble, Roy George and and Jack Thomas should have too much strength and class at the contest.
Tip – Koondrook-Barham to win by 24 points.
See also: Tigers, Kangas fight for top spot
See also: Four of the best for Hourigan
