WOORINEN and the Mallee Eagles will clash at Balranald tomorrow for the chance to play five-time defending Central Murray Football Netball League premiers, Kerang in next weekend’s second semi-final.
The Tigers – who are playing in their sixth consecutive finals series – and the Eagles have been two of the in-form teams of the competition, dropping five games between them this year.
Although Woorinen’s two losses during the home and away season came at the hands of the Blues, two of the Eagles’ three losses came against the Tigers.
Woorinen defeated the Eagles by 11 points when the teams met in round two, with the Tigers then prevailing by 38 points in round 13.
Since the encounter in mid-July, the Eagles have won their past four matches, with the Tigers currently on a five-game winning streak.
Little separates both teams. The Tigers scored six points less than the Eagles during the home and away season, but a defensive unit led by Jamie Nicholas helped Woorinen concede 149 less points than their Lalbert-based opponents.
Both teams showed their strength going into the finals last weekend. Woorinen accounted for the Cohuna Kangas by 121 points on the back of a nine-goal effort from Doug Palmer, whilst the Eagles produced a 32-point win against Tooleybuc/Manangatang.
Palmer, Doug Beames, Aaron Cadd and Kane Donnan will be key players Dean Helmers will need to be mindful of if the Eagles are to snap a three-match losing streak against last season’s first semi-finalists.
Braidon Bennett and Dylan Bosward will need to unite to stop Palmer and Beames if the Eagles are to win, whilst the midfield duel between Daniel Bibby and Cadd will be a highlight of the game.
However, if Caine Hillier and Steven Boyall put together a performance like what occurred at Manangatang last weekend, it will the Eagles who will take on the Blues at Tooleybuc in eight days’ time.
PREDICTION: Woorinen’s defensive strength will help in securing a 30-point win.
Last chance for Demons, Swans
THE 2017 Central Murray Football Netball League season will end on Sunday for either Nyah-Nyah West United or Swan Hill.
Last season’s grand finalists and the Swans – who are making their first finals appearance in three seasons – will clash in an enticing elimination final clash at Lalbert.
The Demons go into the game on the back of a three-match winning streak, whilst the Swans’ 64-point win against Balranald last weekend, as well as Tyntynder’s loss to Kerang ensured Matthew Wade’s side would experience finals football once again.
Nyah-Nyah West United’s two wins against Swan Hill in the home and away season proved to be the difference between both sides after 18 rounds, with the Demons producing a 10-6 record compared to the Swans’ 8-8 season.
The Demons prevailed by seven points at home in round one, before putting together a 47-point victory in round 12.
Alex Erlandson and Justin Caccaviello were the difference when the teams last met in early July, and the Demons pair will be pivotal to Sunday’s result.
Brendan Blackmore and Tom Corridan will need to shut the pair down if the Swans are to progress to a first semi-final encounter against the loser of tomorrow’s Woorinen v Mallee Eagles game.
Wade’s presence in the midfield will be critical to the Swans’ hopes, and his battle with Demons coach, Joel Campbell will help determine which side’s season will continue for another week.
Mitchell Makepeace and Luke Phelan will be just as dangerous for the Swans inside their forward 50, meaning Adrian Knee and Calen Dobbin will need to cut off any attacking foray.
PREDICTION: Nyah-Nyah West United will win by 30 points.
