THE race for the Golden Rivers Football League finals could take another twist tomorrow, with competition leaders, Wandella to host fourth-placed side, Hay.
The Bombers hold a one-win advantage at the top of the ladder following results going the club’s way in the past two weeks, and with Ultima having the bye this weekend, a victory will increase the margin to three games.
It is a different situation for the Lions, who must win this match to remain in the top four.
Nullawil’s victory against the ‘Roos two weeks ago, as well as Murrabit’s win against Ultima last weekend, means the league’s northernmost side and the Blues are in direct competition for fourth spot on the ladder.
Although Taylor Williamson’s side will be refreshed after having last weekend off, the Lions will need to win at a venue it has only won one match at in the past decade – which coincided with the club’s return to finals action in 2015.
Williamson and Jackson Ferguson will be two key players that need to fire if the visitors are to record a ninth win of the season.
The battle between Ferguson and Tim Robinson will be a highlight of the game, whilst Williamson will need to negate Matt Wilkinson to have an impact.
Former Lions coach, Simon Bunyan will face the challenge of leading a Hay midfield against the likes of Isaac Hogan and Daniel Baker, but it will be in the hosts’ forward 50 where this game will be won or lost.
If Paul Grayling, Sam Sperling and Justin Robinson dominate, the Bombers will be one win closer to securing the minor premiership.
However, if Mitch Busch and Jack Perrignon can shut down these three players, the Lions could produce an upset win.
Wandella won by 30 points when the teams last met in round one – with a repeat effort on the cards tomorrow.
PREDICTION: Wandella will win by 30 points.
Big day for Blues
THE result of the match at the Wandella Recreation Reserve will impact on Murrabit, with the defending premiers to take on Wakool tomorrow.
The Blues go into their first visit to the Wakool Recreation Reserve since round three, 2015 as strong favourites – especially with the Hawks’ performances so far in season 2017.
Going into the match on the back of a 10-point win against Ultima, the Blues could move into the top four with a big win and if Hay loses to Wandella.
Murrabit defeated Wakool by 109 points when the teams met in round one, but the Hawks are a vastly different side compared to the one that took to the field on April 1 for the first time in close to 18 months.
Since the loss of Stephen Arthur as coach, the Hawks have enabled their opponents to score more than 200 points in their past two games, with tomorrow’s host last kicking a goal in the third quarter of the round 12 loss to Macorna.
If Nathan Henry and Justin McConnell dominate in the Blues’ forward line, this match will be a percentage-boosting occasion for the visitors – as evident in Nullawil boosting its percentage by 32 per cent in last weekend’s 207-point win against the Hawks.
Reagan Hamilton will have the task of stopping Henry, whilst Tyson Webb will need to shut down reigning E.G. Hunt Medallist, Bryden Morison if the hosts are to put together a four-quarter performance.
PREDICTION: Murrabit will win by at least 100 points.
Maroons to climb
NULLAWIL could move to second spot on the GRFL ladder tomorrow with victory against Moulamein.
With Ultima having the bye this weekend, the Maroons and ‘Roos will be locked on nine wins each for the season with three rounds remaining if the Maroons continue its nine years of dominance against the Swans.
Nullawil dominated in its 207-point win against Wakool last weekend, whilst the Swans were too strong for Macorna, producing a 20-point win.
Tomorrow’s visitors showed last weekend it has multiple options in front of goal, with Matt Harrop, Kal Heslop, Andrew Oberdorfer and Ben Sheridan all dominating.
This setup will be difficult for Tony Mudge’s side to counter, with Matthew Pearse and Matthew Battenally needing as much support as possible in the Swans’ back line.
Ben Booth may be have to relinquish his midfield role to stop Oberdorfer, but this will diminish support for Tom Isma and Xavia Elford, who will need to stop Daniel Watts and Grant Ford in the middle of the ground.
Pat Caldwell – who kicked seven goals in the Swans’ win last weekend – will find it tough against Jarrod Kemp, with Zavia McPhee to provide support for the hosts.
Nullawil won by 105 points when the teams last met in round one. The margin may be closer tomorrow.
PREDICTION: Nullawil will win by 60 points.
Close encounter for Saints, Tigers
QUAMBATOOK will look to snap a two-match losing streak tomorrow when the Saints host Macorna.
Last weekend’s 59-point loss to Wandella all but ended the Saints’ slim finals hopes, whilst the Tigers fell 20 points short of a second win of the season when the side took on Moulamein.
Both sides played out an epic encounter in round one, with Quambatook prevailing by 10 points.
The margin tomorrow could be just as close, with Macorna playing some of its best football of the season in the past two weeks.
Jessi Lampi and Joel Dwyer – two of last season’s top players for the Tigers – are finding form at the end of the season, with former Hay players, Daniel Edwards and Ricki Waters benefiting the forward line.
Lampi and Dwyer will face off against two of Quambatook’s major players – Gregor Knight and Jack Baker – in match-ups that will determine the result of this game.
Luke Parker and Ash Davis will need to stop Edwards and Waters if the hosts are to record a sixth win of the season, whilst Jacob McIntosh and Lachlan Allison will need to prevent Chris Kendall, Andrew Hughes and former Tiger, Ethan Tibbles from dominating for the Saints.
PREDICTION: Quambatook will hold on for a six-point win.
