ONE team will be left undefeated at the end of tomorrow’s Golden Rivers Football League top of the table clash between Macorna and Hay.
Both teams are yet to drop a game so far in season 2016, with Hay – who have defeated Moulamein and Nullawil in the past fortnight – continuing on their 2015 form.
The Tigers are on the verge of replicating their start to the 2014 season, thanks to wins in the opening two rounds against Ultima and Moulamein.
This match will see two of the competition’s most improved midfields do battle on the league’s smallest ground.
Michael Dedini’s presence is giving the Lions extra confidence, and is already covering the pre-season losses of David Fevaleaki and Daniel Gash.
Sam Anstey and Brett O’Hanlon have achieved the same feat for the Tigers, with the duo enabling both Brad and Matt Ladson the freedom to rebound across the half-back line and create numerous attacking forays.
Both coaches – Simon Bunyan (Hay) and Wayne Mitrovic (Macorna) – will be pondering how to shut down two of the competition’s most versatile utilities.
Jackson Ferguson showed last week during the Lions’ win against Nullawil that he is just as dangerous in the back third of the ground as in the forward 50.
Meanwhile, the Tigers’ new recruits have enabled Mitrovic to play more forward compared to last year, and his presence will be just a critical to the home team’s hopes.
Hay won on both occasions these teams played last year, with the last encounter a nail-biting five-point win the Lions’ way in the wet.
PREDICTION: Macorna will go 3-0 with a 10-point win.
Leaders the key
ULTIMA and Murrabit – sides that bounced back from round one defeats last weekend – will look to continue their good form tomorrow.
The winner of this match will be on the same number of wins as the second-placed side of the ladder, with the loser to be just outside the top four.
The ‘Roos returned to their winning ways last weekend with victory against Wandella, but may need to replicate their efforts without their captain, Brenton Pay.
The defender – who missed the side’s round one loss to Macorna – was instrumental six days ago before suffering a leg injury.
Pay’s presence, as well as his ability to rebound the ball and set up numerous attacking moves, will be critical if the ‘Roos are to go 2-1 after three rounds.
The Blues have played its opening two rounds without last season’s club leading goalkicker, Nathan Henry.
If the Murrabit coach takes to the field tomorrow, the battle between him and key Ultima defender, Nathan Condely will determine the outcome of the match.
If Henry doesn’t play, Stan Ward and the Blues’ smaller forwards will need to repeat last weekend’s efforts against the Saints to produce a second win of the season.
Down the other end of the ground, Dylan Morison will have the challenge of stopping key Ultima forward, Basil Althouse from controlling proceedings.
The key forward set up Ultima’s win last weekend, and is capable of having a day out in front of goal when given space to lead and mark the ball.
Murrabit defeated Ultima by three points in round five, 2015, before the ‘Roos prevailed by 63 points in round 14 – part of a 13-match winning streak that began after the loss to the Blues and ended at the start of the 2016 season.
PREDICTION: Ultima will prevail by 20 points.
Crunch time
for Saints
QUAMBATOOK faces a must-win game tomorrow against Nullawil if last season’s grand finalists are to stay in touch with the top four.
Although it is early in the season, Steve Reeves’ men have struggled in the opening fortnight of the season, amassing eight scoring shots in both its round one loss to Wandella and last weekend’s defeat against Murrabit.
The Saints need to win to stay one win outside the top four, and the club would fancy its chances against a side it defeated twice in season 2015.
The Maroons are fourth with a 1-1 record, thanks to an opening round win against Murrabit and last weekend’s loss to Hay.
Scott Mathiske’s men should get Andrew Oberdorfer back for tomorrow’s game, which will give Maroons forward, Kal Heslop greater chances to get the ball from the middle of the ground.
Luke Parker will aim to stop Heslop, with Ash Davis to go to Oberdorfer.
The battle between Grant Ford and Saints captain, Gregor Knight in the centre of the ground will be pivotal to the outcome of the match, with key Maroons defender, Brett Barker to take on the challenge of stopping Patrick Rattray from having a breakout game for Quambatook.
PREDICTION: Nullawil will go 2-1 with a 30-point win.
Bombers seek percentage boost
WANDELLA will aim to record a 19th consecutive win tomorrow against Moulamein – one the longest winning streaks in the competition.
A 10-minute period in the opening quarter cost the Bombers last weekend against Ultima, whilst the Swans were no match for Macorna.
The Bombers boast a more superior line-up compared to the Swans, with tomorrow’s match shaping up to be another shootout amongst Wandella’s forwards.
The Bombers will be too strong for the Swans in their forward 50, with Paul Grayling and Blake Anderson to tower over the likes of Tony Mudge and Brendan Blackmore.
Austin Mertz and Xavia Elford will battle it out in the midfield against Dillan Treacy and Dan Baker, whilst Brodey Farley and Matt Wilkinson will have Jai Wright and Todd McInnes covered in the Swans’ forward 50.
Wandella defeated Moulamein by more than 100 points on both occasions these sides met last season. Another one-sided affair is on the card tomorrow.
PREDICTION: Wandella will win by 80 points.
