HOME ground advantage could be a decisive factor in tomorrow’s Golden Rivers Football League round 16 match between Hay and Nullawil.
Sitting fourth and second on the ladder respectively, the outcome of the match at Hay Park will have ramifications on teams still in the race for the finals.
The Lions have won their past five home games, whilst the Maroons returned from the league’s northernmost venue with the points during their last trip north close to 12 months ago.
Although the Maroons boast a strong record against the Lions, Hay has defeated Nullawil twice in the past four encounters – the 2015 first semi-final and at home in round two, 2016.
However, Nullawil has won the past three matches against Hay, including a 35-point victory back in round seven.
If the Lions prevail, Taylor Williamson’s side will remain locked with Murrabit in a battle for fourth spot on the ladder going into a key round 17 clash between both sides. This result – as well as an Ultima win at Moulamein – will see the Maroons fall to third on the ladder.
Yet if the Maroons win, the Mallee-based side will remain second on the ladder, with the Lions to be potentially back in fifth spot if the Blues defeat Quambatook.
Both sides go into the game on the back of wins last weekend. Hay was too strong for Macorna in a 62-point victory, whilst the Maroons defeated Quambatook by 107 points.
The key to this match will be how each side shuts down each key forward combination. Hay will look to Jackson Ferguson and Williamson to lead the way, meaning a challenge looms for Brett Barker and Reece Poyner.
Andrew Oberdorfer and Kal Heslop – who leads the competition in goals kicked – will be just as dangerous for the visitors, with Bill Auldist and Jock Crighton facing the task of stopping one of the league’s top forward duos.
If Oberdorfer does dominate, Ferguson may head to defence, which will rob the hosts an attacking option and place extra pressure on Williamson and Angus McSweyn to get the ball.
PREDICTION: Nullawil will win by 20 points.
Advantage Murrabit
Defending GRFL premiers, Murrabit could be one win clear in fourth spot on the ladder tomorrow with a win at Quambatook.
With fourth-placed Hay taking on Nullawil, the Blues can find themselves in the ideal spot going into key games against the Lions and Wandella.
Although the Saints cannot make the finals, tomorrow’s hosts could shape the final race, but will need to put in a significantly better performance than last weekend against the Maroons.
The Blues will be just as wary, especially after a final quarter fight back helped the side record a five-point win against Moulamein.
Nathan Henry and Bryden Morison were instrumental in last weekend’s win, and the pair will be two players Saints coach, Tim Free will be mindful of.
Henry faces another battle against Ash Davis, with the duel between Jack Baker and Morison to be a highlight.
The hosts will look to Andrew Hughes and Ethan Tibbles in front of goal, with the pair to face stiff competition from Dylan Morison and Josh Bray.
If Davis can dominate Henry, Justin McConnell’s presence in the Blues’ forward line will be vital, meaning Luke Parker will need to be ready for the challenge.
The Blues won by 47 points when the teams last met in round seven. A similar result is possible tomorrow.
PREDICTION: Murrabit will win by 30 points.
Bombers’ percentage boost?
WANDELLA will aim to produce a percentage-boosting win at home tomorrow against an improving Macorna side.
Fresh from last weekend’s bye, the Bombers will remain one win clear of the battle for second spot on the ladder with a victory.
Paul Grayling’s side defeated the Tigers by 133 points when the teams last met in round seven, but tomorrow’s visitors have played some of their best football in the past month.
Although inaccurate kicking kept the Tigers in the match during last weekend’s 62-point loss to Hay, Michael Rowe’s side has the potential to claim a key scalp in its final two games of the season.
Rowe and Daniel Edwards will need to take every opportunity that comes their way in the forward 50 tomorrow, because the likes of Ryan Lancaster and Tim Robinson have the potential to block any attacking moves.
Sam Taylor and Justin Wilson will be dangerous in the midfield for the hosts against Jessi Lampi and Joel Dwyer, whilst Jordan Simpson and his Macorna defenders will struggle to stop Sam Sperling and Grayling from kicking goals.
Macorna defeated Wandella during its last visit to the Bombers’ home ground close to 12 months ago, but the home side will prevail tomorrow.
PREDICTION: Wandella will win by at least 70 points.
‘Roos seek second semi-final spot
ULTIMA will look to remain in the battle for a second semi-final spot with a win against Moulamein.
The outcome of the match at Hay will have a bearing on last season’s grand finalist’s premiership prospects, with a Lions win and an Ultima victory to propel the side back to second on the ladder.
Although the ‘Roos defeated Wakool by 191 point last weekend, Moulamein’s efforts to almost defeat Murrabit six days ago will give the home side a chance of claiming an upset result.
Tomorrow’s match will be the second time this year E.G. Hunt Medallist, Tom Isma will play against his Ultima premiership-winning teammates, and his work alongside Ethan Saville and Xavia Elford was prolific last weekend.
James Summerhayes, Dwayne Hamlyn and Luke Kelson will need to control play in the middle of the ground to negate the Swans trio, whilst the battle involving Moulamein forwards, Pat Caldwell and Max Baldissera and Ultima defenders Lachlan Paull and Jayden Kiel will be just as intriguing.
However, the visitors’ array of goalkicking options – led by Ryan Devereux, Joshua Stone and Arnold Kirby – will be too strong for Moulamein’s back line.
The ‘Roos prevailed by 69 points when the teams last met in round seven, with a similar result possible tomorrow.
PREDICTION: Ultima will win by 70 points.
* WAKOOL has the bye.
