ONE of the Golden Rivers Football League’s recent rivalries will intensify tomorrow, when Macorna travels to take on Hay.
Both the Tigers and Lions go into the match on the back of opening round losses. Tomorrow’s hosts went down to Wandella by 30 points, whilst Macorna fell 10 points short of recording a win against Quambatook.
Although the Lions hold a 5-2 record since the club’s rejuvenation in 2014, four of the seven encounters have been decided by less than one kick.
This includes the last time the teams met, which resulted in a nail-biting five-point win to the Lions at Macorna in round 16, 2016.
Both sides have seen a large number of players from their 2016 squads head elsewhere this year, but a number of key personnel from past battles remain.
Jackson Ferguson and Taylor Williamson will be key players for the hosts, with Sam Ayre and Joel Dwyer set to have big tasks ahead of them to contain the pair.
Macorna forward, Daniel Edwards will play his first match against his former side tomorrow, with Andrew Low to be given the task of stopping the former Lion.
Down the other end of the ground, Lachlan Allison and his fellow Tigers defenders will need to stop the Lions’ multiple options in front of goal if Macorna is to travel back south with the four points.
PREDICTION: Hay will win by 10 points.
Mallee battle looms
TOMORROW’S second match of the round will be at Quambatook, where the new-look Saints host competition leaders, Nullawil.
Both teams opened season 2017 with victories at the weekend. The Saints came from behind to defeat Macorna, whilst the Maroons were too strong for Moulamein.
The Maroons go into the game on the back of two consecutive wins against the Saints, but tomorrow’s hosts boast a much stronger line-up than the ones that took to the field in the two marches involving both sides in 2016.
The match will see the resumption of one of the biggest personal battles seen in the GRFL competition this decade.
Former Nullawil coach, Scott Mathiske and returning Saint, Jack Baker have taken part in a number of key duels during their time with both clubs, and tomorrow’s meeting will see the major midfielders battle against one another again.
Mathiske’s teammates, Kal Heslop, Ben Sheridan and Andrew Oberdorfer will be key options in front of goal, with Ash Davis to be given the role of stopping Oberdorfer.
Meanwhile, Brett Barker and his fellow Maroons defenders will need to stop William Barden from dominating for a second successive week.
Although the final result will be much closer than the 120-point margin Nullawil won by when the teams last met close to 10 months ago, last season’s preliminary finalists are favourites to go into the Easter break with a 2-0 record.
PREDICTION: Nullawil will win by 30 points.
Hawks return home
ONE of the most anticipated Golden Rivers Football League home matches will occur at Wakool tomorrow, when the Hawks host 2016 grand finalists, Ultima.
Although it will be the first time since last season’s first semi-final that matches have been held at the Wakool Recreation Reserve, the game will be the Hawks’ first chance to play in front of their home supporters since August 2015.
Last weekend’s historic return to on-field action did not go to script for Stephen Arthur’s men, who went down to defending premiers, Murrabit by 111 points.
Tomorrow’s test will be just as difficult, despite Ultima’s pre-season losses.
Gone from last season’s grand final side are Kyle Brasser, Tom Isma and Benedict Mahon, who all provided Jack O’Rourke’s men with added strength in the midfield.
The inclusion of Arnold Kirby and Stephen Lyons will give the ‘Roos extra height across the ground and in front of goal, especially against a Hawks side still gelling.
Luke Kelson will be given the chance to resume acquaintances with Wakool spearhead, Luke Kirkland, with the depth of Ultima’s goalkicking options to be too much for the likes of Shaun Delamare and his Hawks’ defenders.
Both sides developed a strong rivalry during the early part of this decade, highlighted by their 2103 grand final appearance, which want Wakool’s way on the day.
However, Ultima won the next four encounters against the Hawks, with a fifth on the cards tomorrow.
PREDICTION: Ultima will open its season with a 50-point win.
One-sided contest?
THINGS could get ugly at Moulamein tomorrow when the Swans host defending premiers, Murrabit.
Both sides were at either ends of 100-plus point results six days ago – the Blues accounted for Wakool by 111 points, whilst the Swans went down to Nullawil by 105 points.
Moulamein registered four goals from 15 scoring shots against the Maroons, with the side needing to find numerous avenues to goal to have any chance of producing an upset win.
Tom Isma showed last week he is a valued inclusion to the Swans, but will face another battle with defending E.G. Hunt Medallist, Bryden Morison.
The Blues can find themselves on top of the ladder at 5.15pm tomorrow with another triple-figure margin victory, especially if the likes of Damian Hirst, Nathan Henry and Justin McConnell stand out again in front of goal.
Murrabit has won its past five games against Moulamein, with the average margin of the three encounters in 2016 being 106 points.
PREDICTION: Murrabit will win by at least 80 points.
* WANDELLA has the bye, and will resume its season on April 22 with a trip to Moulamein.
