TOOLEYBUC/MANANGATANG and Woorinen will aim to keep their Central Murray Football Netball League premiership campaign alive for at least one more weekend with a win in Sunday’s elimination final at Nyah.
The Tigers – who have played finals football since 2012 – and Saints, who finished in the top five for a third consecutive year, confirmed their top-five positions in round 17.
The Saints moved to fourth spot on the ladder thanks to a 77-point win against the Mallee Eagles, whilst the Tigers came from behind in the final quarter to record a draw against minor premiers, Kerang.
The sides played out a 77-all draw in their sole meeting this season back in round 11, with the Tigers’ inaccuracy in front of goal helping the Saints.
The match has the potential to turn into a shootout between the competition’s leading goalkicker, Stephen Lyons (Tooleybuc/Manangatang) and fellow spearhead, Doug Palmer (Woorinen).
Joel Donnan will be given the role to stop Lyons, with Kayne McAlpine to battle Palmer.
The ruck battle between Saints stalwart, Ryan O’Sullivan and Arnold Kirby will be a highlight, with reigning Betts Medallist, Nyaburu Kelly to lead Tooleybuc/Manangatang’s midfield against Matthew Iannucci.
However, the Tigers’ ability to score goals and restrict their opposition will give the club the edge to progress to the first semi-final.
PREDICTION: Woorinen will win by 20 points.
LOCAL HOPES
• KERANG’S reserves premiership hopes will be on the line on Sunday when the Blues take on Woorinen.
It will be the second time in nine days the sides will meet, with the Blues prevailing by 31 points last weekend.
The win added to the club’s 10-point win against the Tigers in round seven.
• Last season’s Colts grand finalists, Nyah-Nyah West United and the Cohuna Kangas will meet in a sudden-death elimination final on Sunday.
The Kangas – who defeated the Demons in last year’s grand final – go into the match as strong favourites thanks to a 139-point win when the sides met at Nyah in round 11.
• KOONDROOK/BARHAM will aim to ensure the league’s three local clubs remain in contention for the under 14.5 premiership with a win against Lake Boga.
The Raiders won by 41 points when the sides met at Barham in round two, but went down by 28 points in round 13.
• THE Cohuna Kangas’ B Grade side face a tough challenge to remain in the finals, with the side playing the Mallee Eagles on Sunday.
The Eagles recorded one more win than the Kangas during the home and away season, and prevailed by five goals when the sides met in round eight.
• THE Cohuna Kangas will aim to record a second 17 and Under win against Tooleybuc/Manangatang this year on Sunday.
The Kangas won by 14 goals in round nine, with the win the difference between fourth and fifth spot on the ladder.
• THE Kangas’ 15 and Under side go into Sunday’s elimination final against Woorinen as favourites after recording wins against the Tigers their two meetings this year.
The Kangas recorded a 23-goal win in round two, with the side winning by 16 goals in round 13.
• KOONDROOK/BARHAM faces a tough task to keep its 15 and Under Reserve premiership hopes alive, with the side facing Lake Boga.
The Magpies hold a 2-0 record against the Raiders this season, thanks to a 14-goal win in round two and a 16-goal victory in round 13.
