LANCASTER V MERRIGUM
Lancaster could have quite easily won its past three matches, having led into the last quarter only to fall short and now find itself under some pressure ahead of today’s match with Merrigum.
The Bulldogs and Wombats are equal on points, with the latter’s sizeable percentage giving them sixth spot.
Coach Nick Bertoli would be very happy with a lot of the things the team is doing well. He will be eager to see his boys finish off and win a last quarter, especially if the game is up for grabs today.
Tannar Cerrone, Michael Hill, Zachary Cerrone, Chris Eddy, Steven Thomson and Besim Besim have been some of the players leading by example for the Wombats.
Merrigum has crept up the ladder having won its past four games, but it was the win last weekend against Girgarre that would have pleased coach Mick Power.
Both teams were playing for plenty and it was his Dogs through the likes of Joe Sullivan, Geoff Connally, Charlie Lowe, Christian Barnett, Jack Sinclair and Jake Parkinson who stood tall.
If the Bulldogs can get an even contribution from its entire playing group they are a chance to turnaround the early season loss to the Wombats.
Tip: Lancaster.
NAGAMBIE V AVENEL
Avenel is chasing a ninth straight win as it looks to consolidate its place inside the top six.
Standing between it is the reigning premier.
The reigning premier has been pushed during its past two matches and the Swans will take some solace that it can also push the Lakers if it is slightly off their game today.
But I get the feeling that the Lakers have been waiting for this challenge. They were too strong in the season opener and the likes of Paul Arandt, Scott Tyers, Mitchell Thomas, William Lewis, Mathew Hurley and Donald Stirling will be pivotal if the Swans are to turn the tables on their rival.
Nagambie have so many big game players, but none more than Michael Shiels, Mathew Waterson and Michael Roberts, while the likes of Mark Nolen, Martin Shadbolt and Kyle Winter-Irving are important cogs for the Lakers in terms of structure.
The Swans will need to get off to a good start and if they can then they will be a genuine chance of coming away with the victory.
Tip: Nagambie.
MURCHISON-TOOLAMBA V STANHOPE
Murchison-Toolamba will be desperate to finish off the season with more wins than losses.
They have enjoyed a fantastic middle part to the season after a slow start to the year.
Coach James Milne has done an outstanding job in his debut season as coach and he will hope the likes of Shannon Tibos, Nathan Carroll, Thomas Karacsay, Jonathon Cooper, Jacob Ewart and Clinton Lambert can all carry their good form in today’s contest.
Stanhope coach Brenton Gray would have been breathing a little easier last weekend after his side got out of jail against Lancaster.
He will be hoping to get a couple of key players back into the team over the coming weeks as they make a charge towards a top two finish.
Lukas Hanslow, Simon Collis, Alec Young, Jye Patten, Jayden Exell and Jack Exell were the stars of the last quarter fightback against the Wombats.
Gray will hope they, along with the rest of the players can deliver another important victory today.
Tip: Stanhope.
GIRGARRE V VIOLET TOWN
Girgarre can still possibly play finals, but a lot would have to go right from here.
After being well in contention to play finals, the Kangaroos have fallen away over the past 4-6 weeks.
Coach, Shannon Tucker has been leading by example, while others to have been playing consistently over the past month have been Corey Wheeler, Jayden Tucker, Ashley Hughes, Nicholas Mellington and Ashley Kirchhofer.
Today to be any chance against a very good Violet Town outfit led by Patrick Horsburgh, Jake Cowman, Samuel Poole, Greg Dyer, Tim Ross and Ben Dyer, the Kangaroos will need a lift from their second and bottom tier players.
Tip: Violet Town.
RUSHWORTH V TALLYGAROOPNA
Rushworth will be looking to bring the competiveness it showed against Violet Town.
Rob Osborne has proven a good target for the likes of Billy Wall, Shaun Young, Jacob Perry, Daniel Doolan, Lachlan Armstrong and Jeremy Lambden.
What the Tigers will be desperate to do today is play four quarters and avoid any big lapses to give the edge to Tallygaroopna.
The visitors have been ruthless in the past two weeks and one aspect that would have pleased the coach is the sharing around of goals.
Kane Handley, Douglas Wren, Adam Serafini, Adam Brassil, Timothy Belford and Jai Utiger have all got on the scoresheet during the past fortnight where the Redlegs’ have booted scores of over 200.
Tip: Tallygaroopna.
Last Modified on 16/08/2017 20:36