THE second meeting between Golden Rivers Football League Mallee rivals, Ultima and Nullawil will shape the competition’s top four with five rounds in the season remaining.
The round 11 encounter between the second-placed ‘Roos and fourth-placed Maroons highlights a weekend of games that can see the order of sides change considerably.
If Ultima wins its ninth match of the season, the side would remain second, but could reclaim top spot on the ladder if Wandella loses to Macorna. The result could also see Nullawil fall out of the top four if Hay records at worst a 50-point win against Quambatook.
Nullawil will remain fourth if the Maroons defeat Ultima, with the loss to drop the ‘Roos as low as third if Murrabit wins against Moulamein.
An injury-depleted Maroons outfit came close to defeating Ultima back in round four, before the two-time reigning premiers won by 18 points.
Both sides will be closer to full strength tomorrow, with the only query being on Ultima captain, Brenton Pay, who injured his leg in the side’s round 10 win against Murrabit.
Pay’s absence will place extra pressure on Jacob Schaper and Tom Bull in the midfield for the hosts, who will battle against Nullawil coach, Scott Mathiske and Daniel Watts.
If Luke O’Toole plays, the premiership coach will become the rebounding defender, stopping the ball getting to Kal Heslop and Andrew Oberforder.
Jarrod Kemp will battle Basil Althouse in the home side’s forward line, with the Ultima spearhead capable of kicking multiple goals to set up a ‘Roos victory.
Ultima holds a five-match winning streak against their Mallee rivals, which should extend to six games tomorrow.
PREDICTION: Ultima will win by 20 points.
Rivals to shape ladder
THE second of round 11’s ladder shaping matches will be at Macorna, where the Tigers need to defeat competition leaders, Wandella to keep in touch with the top four.
Like the match at Ultima, there will be ramifications for both the winning side and losing team.
A Wandella win will leave the Tigers at least one win off fourth spot, depending on results at Ultima, as well as at Quambatook, where the Lions will play the Saints.
If the Tigers increase their five-match winning streak against the Bombers at Macorna to six, Wandella could drop to third on the ladder if Ultima defeats Nullawil and Murrabit produces a one-sided affair against Moulamein.
A home team win will also leave the Tigers equal with fourth spot on the ladder at best, depending on other results.
The return of Wayne Mitrovic to the Tigers’ line-up two weeks ago gives the former competition leaders another option in defence, across the midfield or in front of goal.
The former E.G. Hunt Medallist will be best suited match up on Blake Anderson across the home side’s half-back line, with Liam Roberts and Jordan Simpson to take on Wandella coach, Paul Grayling and fellow forward, Gavin Cathie.
The midfield battle involving Macorna’s Matt and Brad Ladson, as well as Wandella’s Daniel Baker and Justin Wilson, will determine the result of the match, whilst key Tigers forward, Brett Collins will face a duel with Ryan Lancaster.
Wandella won by 76 point when these teams last met in round four, with the Bombers last winning at Macorna in round five, 2010.
PREDICTION: Wandella will hold on for a 12-point win.
Lions to climb
HAY will aim to move back into the top four tomorrow with a big win against last season’s grand finalists, Quambatook.
With fourth-placed Nullawil travelling to Ultima, a Lions win against the Saints and a Maroons loss will leave last season’s first semi-final combatants equal on six wins in 2016.
The Lions defeated fellow finals challenger, Macorna by 54 points two weeks ago, with the Saints going down to the Maroons by 120 points.
Although the sides share a 2-2 record since the start of the season, Hay won by 104 points back in round four.
The Lions will be without ruckman, Tim Hanna, who will represent Victoria Country in an under 19s representative match against the Victorian Amateur Football Association’s top junior players.
Despite Hanna’s absence, Hay boasts numerous match winning options.
The midfield battle between Lions coach, Simon Bunyan and Saints captain, Gregor Knight will be a highlight, whilst key Quambatook defenders, Ash Davis and Luke Parker, will duel with Justin Ellis and Taylor Williamson.
Jackson Ferguson will control the visitors’ half-back line, preventing the ball from getting to James Lloyd and Ricky Jochinke.
PREDICTION: Hay will win by at least 60 points.
Blues’ percentage boost
MURRABIT will look to bounce back from a nail-biting round 10 loss to Ultima with victory at Moulamein tomorrow.
The Blues fell five points short of defeating the two-time reigning premiers in one of the games of the season 13 days ago, and go into tomorrow’s match as strong favourites.
The Swans – who have now lost their past 30 matches – went down to Wandella by 85 points, and a similar result could occur with the New South Wales-based side not boasting the players needed to shut down the Blues.
Moulamein captain, Ben Booth will battle with Andrew Spitty in the ruck, but the visitors’ midfield options, led by Bryden Morison and Simon Morton, will be too strong for Xavia Elford.
Pat Caldwell will be the home side’s key target in the forward line, but Dylan Morison and Darcy Hetherington will control proceedings for the Blues.
Brendan Blackmore will be Tony Mudge’s top choice to go to Murrabit coach, Nathan Henry in the Blues’ forward line, but this will leave Patrick Cummins and Leigh McCombe free to dominate in front of goal.
Murrabit won by 152 points when these sides met in round four, and another one-sided affair is certain tomorrow.
PREDICTION: Murrabit will win by at least 80 points.
