ONE of the Golden Rivers Football League’s matches of the season will occur at Murrabit tomorrow, with the result to play a major role in determining the competition’s top four.
The Blues – who have won their past three games – take on fifth-placed Hay, who are eyeing off a fifth consecutive victory.
A home side victory will leave the Blues at least one victory clear on top of the ladder and on track for the minor premiership, whilst a Lions win will move last year’s preliminary finalists into the top four.
Murrabit held on to defeat Wandella last weekend, whilst Hay was too strong for Ultima in its 10-point victory.
Both teams rely on their taller players to control proceedings, which will lead to a number of match-defining battles.
Murrabit will look to Andrew Spitty to stop Tim Hanna in the ruck, whilst former AFL player, Jackson Ferguson will take on Murrabit coach, Nathan Henry in the Blues’ forward line.
Josh Dwyer will be a presence across the Blues’ half-back line, but he will need to contain Justin Ellis from providing forward 50 entries.
The midfield contest between Hay’s Michael Dedini and Murrabit’s Bryden Morison will be a highlight, whilst both sides boast numerous goalkicking options.
The Blues will look to Brett McCombe and Nathan Brown to hit the scoreboard, with Simon Bunyan, Shayne Kennedy and Taylor Williamson just as dangerous for the Lions.
Murrabit won by 25 points back when these teams met in round seven. The result will be much closer tomorrow.
PREDICTION: Hay will win by six points.
Top four on the line
A TOP four berth will begin to slip away for the loser of tomorrow’s match between Nullawil and Wandella.
The match between the third and fourth-placed sides, both locked on eight wins, will have ramifications on the top four, especially if Hay knocks off competition leaders, Murrabit.
There is a strong possibility the loser of this match will be outside the top four tomorrow night, and both sides face key games in the final two rounds.
Wandella has not won a match since late June, and fell four points shy of defeating Murrabit last weekend.
It was a similar story for the Maroons six days ago, with last season’s semi-finalists going down to Macorna by four points in a nail biter.
Nullawil could not break through Macorna’s defensive setup throughout the game, and if Wandella uses a similar approach, the Bombers will move to third spot on the ladder.
Yet if the Maroons can play its free-flowing style of play, led by coach Scott Mathiske, Daniel Watts and Grant Ford, the home side will be one step closer to the finals with a key trip of Hay occurring next weekend.
Greg Dickson, Justin Wilson and Alex Kirby will be pivotal in stopping the home team trio, who can dominate play if allowed to.
Kal Heslop and Andrew Oberdorfer will need to lead the way in the forward line for the hosts, but will face the challenge of battling Jordan Jeffrey and Justin Robinson, who returned to the Bombers’ side last weekend for his first match of the season.
The Maroons missed Jarrod Kemp last weekend in the back line, who will need to work with Brett Barker to stop Blake Anderson and Paul Grayling from kicking goals for the visitors.
Yet despite all of these match-ups, Wandella’s depth – which helped the Bombers in its 56-point win back in round seven – will be the difference.
PREDICTION: Wandella will win by 30 points.
Tigers’ run to continue
MACORNA can keep its finals hopes alive with a win against Quambatook tomorrow.
The Tigers’ four-point win against Nullawil last weekend added another twist to the battle for the top four, whilst the Saints became Moulamein’s first scalp in two years.
Macorna showed last weekend it has the capacity to match it with the competition’s top teams. The way the Tigers were able to lock the ball into their forward half of the ground would be a concern for the coaches the side will face in the coming fortnight.
Brett O’Hanlon will be one player the Saints will need to stop tomorrow, with the former Richmond player’s rebounding ability an asset the Tigers will look to if the team makes the finals.
O’Hanlon’s presence also provides cover for Tigers coach, Wayne Mitrovic, who will be a strong presence in the Tigers’ defensive 50.
An injury cloud lingers over Macorna forward, Brett Collins, who went off with what looked like a hamstring injury during the final minutes of last weekend’s win.
If Collins misses, Ethan Tibbles and Shaun Douglass will face individual battles with Quambatook defender, Luke Parker and Ash Davis.
Matt and Brad Ladson will battle with Quambatook captain, Gregeor Knight and Luke Jackson, whilst Luke Spalding’s growing presence as a ruckman will continue.
This match will be won or lost in Quambatook’s forward line. If the home side can generate enough chances and numerous goalkicking options, the club’s first win since round six could be on the cards.
However, if Mitrovic and O’Hanlon control proceedings, the Tigers’ late charge to the finals will continue.
Macorna won by 56 points when these sides met in round seven. A repeat effort will occur tomorrow.
PREDICTION: Macorna will win by 60 points.
Premiers face confident Swans
ULTIMA will look to bounce back from last weekend’s loss to Hay against a Moulamein side brimming with confidence.
The Swans’ 54-point win against Quambatook last weekend was the club’s first victory in two seasons, but the club’s chances of claiming consecutive victories for the first time since rounds five and six, 2009 will be slim.
Jack O’Rourke’s men will look to put last weekend’s loss against the Lions behind them, with a win needed to retain second spot on the ladder.
Chris Foott, who kicked three goals in Moulamein’s win last weekend, will finds things more difficult tomorrow against the likes of premiership defenders Nathan Condely and Luke Kelson.
Tom Isma, Tom Bull and Jacob Schaper will be too strong in the midfield against the likes of Austin Mertz and Xavia Elford, whilst Robert Main and Tony Mudge will not have enough support in the back line to stop Basil Althouse and Dwayne Hamlyn kicking goals for the hosts.
Ultima won by 104 points when these teams met in round seven. Another one-sided affair is on the cards tomorrow.
PREDICTION: Ultima will remain second on the ladder thanks to an 80-point win.
