AVENEL v VIOLET TOWN
This is another of the many eight point games in the race to the September action.
Avenel is third while Violet Town is back in fifth position. Both currently sit on 40 points each.
The Swans were slow out of the blocks last week and paid the price against Stanhope.
Cameron Gillett will be pleading with his players to be switched on from the first bounce.
Not much separated these teams earlier in the season and Violet Town will be keen to make amends for letting one slip through their fingers.
The key for the Lions getting the points will be getting an even contribution from every player who takes the park, while some of the star performers in Chris McKay, Samuel Poole, Rob Staff and Sean Horsburgh will also be vital for their team.
Paul Arandt, Charlie Houghton, Micheal McKenzie, Mitchell Berry, Joshua Mc Donald and Ashley Neville will be the key Swans that will need to fire.
NAGAMBIE v MERRIGUM
Is the preview of this year’s grand final?
There will be plenty of top six contenders who will fancy their title aspirations come September, but they are going to have be very good to beat these two star studded combinations.
Nagambie have been absolutely faultless, passing its latest test against a star studded Lancaster.
Ruckman Steven Barber, gun midfielder David Price, utility Tyrone Muir, key forward Harley Taylor-Lloyd were very good players in the win over the Wombats while Mitchell Winter-Irving and Adam Harrap were among the best players.
Merrigum’s A graders in Chris Kilmartin, Joshua Pell, Josh Stammers, Thomas Sullivan, Thomas Durward and Bryce Wellington (six goals) tipped Murchison out of the top six.
The crushing win was achieved without the services of boom recruit and Tatura premiership star Linc Wellington.
MURCHISON v UNDERA
If Undera wants to remain in finals calculations then it must claim the four points against Murchison.
The Lions have one of the more favourable draws in the run home and it can still make the top six.
Adam Brassil, John Valentin (six goals), Jack Hajro, Daniel Breen (game 200), Marrick Tucker, Brayden Bux and six goals from coach Davie “Dizzy” Gillespie helped the Lions to a big win last weekend.
They must all fire along with every player that takes the park today.
Murchison remains one game outside the top six and it also is a long way behind Lancaster when it comes to percentage.
The Grasshoppers are still in the finals mix, but face a tough task given they will play three of their final five matches against teams above on the ladder.
Luke Chapman returns to the line-up today and Brent Chapman will prove a handful for the Undera defence.
Ruckman, Timothy Ewart continues to dominate games while Rhys Newby, Hayden Ewart, Ethan Homewood, Tom Kerrins and Jonathon Cooper have been some of the team’s big improvers and shining lights.
OTHER
In the other games, Lancaster faces the in-form Tallygaroopna; Stanhope travels to Longwood and Girgarre will be favourite to bring up its fourth win of the year on the road to Rushworth.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
1. No Rattray. No worries for Nagambie in the past two weeks.
2. Matt Forys is the new leader of the goal-kicking award – one clear of Heath Barnett.
3. Tallygaroopna chasing a fourth consecutive win to continue their good second half form.
4. Ardmona rallied the troops to record its fourth win of the season, with Sam Woodward the star with five goals.
5. Lancaster reserves and thirds still remain unbeaten.
Last Modified on 20/07/2015 12:00