THE battle for spots in the Golden Rivers Football League top four could take another twist tomorrow, with second-placed Murrabit and third-placed Ultima playing in a big match for the Blues.
The hosts will celebrate Simon Morton’s 400th senior game and Nick Hein’s 250th senior game, with the Blues looking to record a seventh consecutive win of the season.
Ultima will be aiming to bounce back following last weekend’s loss to competition leaders, Wandella, with a loss tomorrow to have ramifications on the club’s double chance hopes.
If the Blues win, Nathan Henry’s men will remain in the top two, whilst the reigning premiers will fall one win behind top spot on the ladder and only be one win ahead of fourth on the ladder.
Two of the competition’s top forwards will determine the outcome of this match.
Basil Althouse has been a key addition to the ‘Roos this season, with his presence enabling Stewart Broussard to spend the majority of his games in the ruck.
The former Northern Territory footballer has the ability to influence the game if allowed to, meaning Dylan Morison will have to be on song to stop the forward.
Down the other end of the ground, Henry will look to get back on the goalkickers’ list after not registering a goal in last weekend’s win against Quambatook.
The spearhead will have to contend with Nathan Condely, who is enjoying one of his best seasons in the back half of the ground.
The midfield battle between Ultima utility, Jacob Schaper and Bryden Morison will be pivotal to the result, whilst Broussard will need to stop Andrew Spitty in the ruck to give the visitors a chance of winning.
Ultima won by 20 points when these sides met in round three, and with the teams to meet one more time this season, tomorrow’s result will go a long way to determining which of these sides may play in the second semi-final in late August.
PREDICTION: Ultima will hold on for a 10-point win.
Key game for Lions, Tigers
HAY and Macorna will look to keep in touch with the top four when the finals aspirants meet at the competition’s northernmost venue tomorrow.
The sides are locked with Nullawil in a battle for fourth spot on the ladder, with the sixth-placed Lions one win behind the fifth-placed Tigers.
Macorna recorded a 46-point win against Moulamein last weekend, whilst Hay could not end its hoodoo at Nullawil, going down by 30 points.
Although the Tigers won by 26 points when these sides met in round three, the Lions hold a 3-2 record since the start of the 2014 season, including two wins at home.
The last time these sides met was also the last occasion Tigers coach, Wayne Mitrovic took to the field, and his presence tomorrow will give the visitors a boost.
If Mitrovic plays, the utility will take on Jackson Ferguson across the visitors’ half-forward line, aiming to provide opportunities to Brett Collins.
Taylor Williamson will return to the forward line for the Lions, with Jordan Simpson set to take on task of stopping the lively goalkicker.
The midfield duel between Brad and Matt Ladson and Hay’s Michael Dedini and Ricki Waters will be pivotal to the result, whilst Tim Hanna will be too strong in the ruck for Macorna’s ruck stocks.
PREDICTION: Hay will stay in touch with the top four thanks to a 30-point win.
Mallee rivals to meet
NULLAWIL will go into its round 10 match against Quambatook looking to keep the pressure on the competition’s top three sides.
Last weekend’s 30-point win against Hay kept last season’s semi-finalists in the top four, whilst the Saints challenged Murrabit in their 22-point loss.
The side Steve Reeves takes to Nullawil tomorrow is different to the one the Maroons took on back on round three, with Patrick Rattray – who kicked five goals in the Saints’ 66-point loss – no longer at the club.
Instead, James Lloyd is leading the way forward, and his presence will be a challenge for Jarrod Kemp and the Maroons’ fellow defenders.
The midfield battle between Saints captain, Gregor Knight and Matt Harrop will be key to the game’s outcome, whilst Maroons coach, Scott Mathiske will take on Luke Jackson.
Nullawil’s goalkicking options have increased thanks to the return of Andrew Oberdorfer, but the tall will face a challenge tomorrow against Ash Davis, whilst fellow Quambatook defender, Luke Parker will duel with Kal Heslop.
The Maroons hold a strong recent record against the Saints, despite last season’s grand finalists defeating Nullawil on both occasions the sides met in 2015.
PREDICTION: Nullawil will win by 40 points.
Percentage boost likely
WANDELLA will aim to extend its gap over the remainder of the competition with a percentage-boosting win against the winless Moulamein tomorrow.
The Bombers held off Ultima last weekend to win by 11 points, whilst the Swans only managed four goals – all coming in the second quarter – in their 46-point loss to Macorna.
The match at the Bombers’ home ground will be challenging on a number of fronts for the Swans – the side has not won at the venue for more than 10 years, and the Bombers hold a 16-match winning streak against Tony Mudge’s team.
Brendan Blackmore will need to play one of the games of the season to stop Wandella coach, Paul Grayling from kicking multiple goals, whilst Blake Anderson could be just a pivotal.
Swans captain, Ben Booth will take on Brodey Farley in the middle of the ground, with Nick Farley to battle Michael Morson – who has kicked nine of the Swans’ 53 goals booted in nine games this season.
Wandella won by 60 points when these sides met in round three – a game that saw the Swans record its highest score since its last win in round 12, 2014 – but the margin will be greater tomorrow.
PREDICTION: Wandella will win by at least 80 points.
