TOOLEYBUC-MANANGATANG v LAKE BOGA
THE faint finals hopes of either Tooleybuc-Manangatang or Lake Boga will be extinguished when the two clubs clash at Tooleybuc this Saturday afternoon.
Although the Saints have an extra game up their sleeve, both find themselves three wins behind fifth placed Koondrook-Barham and in need of an undefeated run all the way to the final round if they are to see September action.
That would be appear unlikely for the Magpies, who will finish the season with games against finals contenders Koondrook-Barham, Cohuna and Woorinen.
Lake Boga have found form in recent weeks with strong wins over Kerang and Swan Hill, but will face a much tougher proposition in Tooleybuc-Manangatang, with the Saints’ elite talent on another level to that of the Blues and Swans.
The Saints should be fresh having not played since their round 12, 66-point loss to the Mallee Eagles and are expected to go into the match with a largely unchanged line-up, with Josh Williams, Sebastian Rogers, Josh Domaille and Josh Grant all missing the Eagles defeat.
Connor Mcdonald, Elliott Chalmers, Connor Nutting and Blake Grant were all among Tooleybuc-Manangatang’s better players and will hold the fortunes of the Saints’ finals hopes in their hands again on Saturday.
While the quartet have continued to impress this season, so too have youngsters Rydar Morris and Julian Muir, with the pair both quickly becoming key components of the Saints’ defensive half.
Lake Boga’s kids have also shown plenty of positive signs for the future, with Koben Ryan, Max Caruso and Bryce Anderson all consistently among the Magpies’ better players each week.
Despite their continued development, and the Braden Padmore, Rex Hickman and Zac Warne, the Saints should still prove to have too much class on Saturday.
Tip – Tooleybuc-Manangatang to win by 20 points.
COHUNA v TYNTYNDER
THE Cohuna Kangas will regain the services of Chris Anderson, Riley Hird and coach Jack Geary for Saturday’s home game against Tyntynder.
All three will be set to make a significant impact for the Kangas, who are slowly returning to full strength ahead of their tilt at this year’s finals series.
Cohuna proved too strong for NNW United last Saturday with a 34-point win over the reigning premiers and will go in as red-hot favourites to make it three straight wins on Saturday considering the Bulldogs went down to Balranald last weekend.
That defeat would have stung the red, white and blue army, who have shown signs of improvement at various stages throughout the season.
The issue is that the gap between their best and worst is just too great, with inconsistency plaguing the young Bulldogs as they attempt to find their best footy.
It was their goalkicking that was the issue last weekend however, with Tyntynder wasting their opportunities in the first quarter with just one goal from eight scoring shots.
The ruck battle between Tyntynder’s Josh Potter and the returning Anderson for the Kangas will be a key one for both teams, the Bulldogs needing to get their hands on the ball first around the stoppages and nullify the impact of Tom Toma, Ricky Monti, Joel Helman and Jackson Williams.
That is far easier said than done however, with the Kangas quartet, along with Jarrod Findlay, Sam McGlone and high half forward Jacob Mitchell all capable of having a significant impact on the outcome. Tip – Cohuna to win by 55 points.
SWAN HILL v KERANG
SWAN Hill will have a strengthened backline with the returns of key defenders Tom Corridan and Anthony Lewin when the Swans host Kerang this Saturday afternoon.
Corridan and Lewin will be welcome additions for the home side, with Corridan looming as the logical option to nullify the dangerous Zak Bozanich.
It’s not all good news for Swan Hill however with Sonny Beasy, Bodhi Kelly and Will Burns all set to miss.
Kerang will also be without several key players, with Tyson Clingan among a host of injured stars who will be unavailable for the clash.
The midfield is likely to be where the match is won and lost, with Marty Kelly continuing dominate around the stoppages for the Blues every week, while Flynn McKnight and Leigham Mcalpin continue to impress week on week.
For Swan Hill, much will fall onto the shoulders of Luke Phelan, Will Simpson and Cooper Angus to ensure the Swans compete in the middle to give the home side a chance at recording their second win for the season.
Tip – Kerang to win by 21 points.
