TOP spot on the Golden Rivers Football League ladder could change for a fifth time tomorrow if Wandella defeats current competition leaders, Ultima.
The match between the second-placed Bombers and two-time reigning premiers is the match of the round, one that could see the top four alter with seven rounds in the season remaining.
The Bombers have led the competition after three rounds this season (rounds one, four and five), with the ‘Roos sitting at the top of the ladder since round six.
A Wandella win would see the Bombers reclaim top spot and drop the ‘Roos to third if Murrabit defeats Quambatook, whilst the reigning premiers could relegate Wandella to third place with victory.
Wandella was Ultima’s first scalp of the season back in mid-April, with the reigning premiers’ eight-point win the first victory of a seven-match winning streak that could extend to eight games tomorrow.
Brodey Farley, Greg Dickson and Justin Wilson were absent from the Bombers’ round two loss.
“Obviously last time Wandella had a number of its good players out and they came close to beating us, so we have a lot of respect for the club,” Ultima coach, Jack O’Rourke said.
Wandella coach, Paul Grayling will be the Bombers’ focal point in the forward line, with Nathan Condely aiming to replicate his round two efforts against the competition’s leading goalkicker.
Clinton Cummins and Gavin Cathie will be just as pivotal for the visitors in front of goal, with Luke Kelson and Jayden Kiel to guard the pair.
The midfield battle between the home side’s Tom Bull, Luke O’Toole and Jacob Schaper and Wandella’s ball winners, led by Daniel Baker, Dickson and Wilson, will be pivotal to the result.
Basil Althouse – who kicked six goals back in round two – will have to contend with Farley tomorrow, but Tom Isma and Ryan Devereux could be dangerous if given the space to collect the ball.
“We need to get the processes right and play football on our terms if we are to win, which we know we can do,” Grayling said.
PREDICTION: Ultima will add an eighth consecutive win to its 2016 campaign with a 10-point win
Lions aim to end hoodoo
HAY will be out to end one of the longest hoodoos in the competition tomorrow when the New South Wales-based side travels to Nullawil.
The battle between the fourth and fifth-placed sides on the ladder will be one of the matches of the round, with the result to play a role in determining the top four come mid-August.
Hay may have won its past two games against the Maroons, but has not won at Nullawil in more than a decade.
Simon Bunyan’s men were too strong for Moulamein two weeks ago, whilst the Maroons went down to Murrabit by nine points.
The duel between Nullawil’s Andrew Oberdorfer and Hay’s Jackson Ferguson will determine which of these teams win tomorrow.
If the Maroon’s centre half-forward dominates and can get the ball to Kal Heslop, the home side will record its first win since its round six success against Macorna.
However, if Ferguson can halt Nullawil across the Lions’ half-back line and provide drive to the likes of Michael Dedini, Hay will be on track to move to fourth on the ladder.
Jarrod Kemp will be given the role of stopping Hay forward, Taylor Williamson, with William Auldist to take on Heslop in the Maroons’ forward line.
PREDICTION: Hay will end its Nullawil hoodoo with a 20-point win.
Finals dream to end?
QUAMBATOOK must win tomorrow’s game against Murrabit to stay in the battle for the finals.
Sitting seventh on the ladder and three wins outside the four, last season’s grand finalists will fall four wins behind fourth spot if the Saints record an eighth loss of the season.
The match will be just as important for the Blues, who can move to second on the ladder if Wandella defeats Ultima.
Murrabit defeated Quambatook by 59 points back in round two, with two of the competition’s top forwards not playing when the sides met in mid-April.
Blues coach, Nathan Henry could have another big game if Ash Davis cannot control the key forward, whilst James Lloyd will be just as pivotal for the Saints, with Dylan Morison the best option to play against the former Shepparton Bears player.
Although Quambatook still boasts a strong midfield, led by Gregor Knight and Luke Jackson, the Blues have numerous options to rely on, including Bryden Morison and Simon Morton.
Murrabit’s other advantage over the Saints will be in the ruck, with Quambatook not boasting a tall option capable of containing Andrew Spitty.
PREDICTION: Murrabit will record a sixth consecutive win of the season, defeating the Saints by 50 points.
Tigers to pounce
MACORNA will benefit from the result of tomorrow’s game at Moulamein, with the Tigers set to move to fifth on the ladder with a big win against the Swans.
Inaccuracy hurt Wayne Mitrovic’s men two weeks ago in the side’s 40-point loss to Ultima, whilst the Swans went down to Hay by 81 points.
Moulamein is becoming a happy hunting ground for the Tigers, with the club winning its past four games at the venue during its run of 10 consecutive wins against the Swans.
Mitrovic will be a strong chance to play his first game since round three, adding to a strong midfield, headlined by Matt and Brad Ladson.
Xavia Elford and Ben Booth will need to play their best games of the season to counteract the Tigers’ running game, with Brett Collins and Jesse Lampi capable of having big games in front of goal if given the ability to get the ball.
Sam Nichols and Jacob McIntosh will work to keep Moulamein forwards Michael Morson and Tim Walder from kicking goals, with the Swans managing six goals from their past two games.
Macorna won by 86 points when these sides met in round two. Another one-sided affair is on the cards tomorrow.
PREDICTION: Macorna will win by 70 points.
