ROCHESTER V BENALLA
Rochester will look to extend its winning streak to 10 when it welcomes the improved Benalla.
The Tigers produced arguably one of its best second halves of football when it fought back from nearly five goals in the first half at Kyabram to produce a 11-goal second half to win and consolidate third place on the ladder.
The Saints were quite competitive for a half against Mooroopna and jumped them in the first quarter to lead the Cats.
James Martiniello, Christopher Welsh, Jarrad Waite, Mark Marriott and Blake Uebergang will be looking to continue their good form to try and claim a scalp on the road.
Mitchell Trewhella, Adam McPhee, Ryan O’Keefe, Wil Hamilton and Dillon Williams were the stars in the come-from-behind win over Kyabram.
In a further boost for the Tigers was the fact that they had 11 different goal-kickers in the 11-point win over the Bombers. I think that will prove decisive in helping them skip past the visiting Saints. Tip: Rochester.
SHEPPARTON SWANS V MANSFIELD
The Shepparton Swans will be looking to make it two wins on the bounce and kept its slim finals aspirations alive when it welcomes Mansfield to Princess Park.
While the visiting Eagles need to get back on track after they were tipped out of the top six after their 81-point loss to the second placed Shepparton.
The Swans were outstanding on the road in the first part of the split round, defeating Seymour at Kings Park.
Zac Clohesy, ruckman, Mark Kovacevic, Hugh Mason, Christian Georgiou and Max Clohesy were the stand outs in the win.
If they can continue that good form coupled with the home team welcoming back a few soldiers from injury, they will fancy their chances against the Eagles.
The Eagles will look to Nathan Buchanan, Brett Mahoney, Dylan Lowry, Sam Morrow and Billy Hogan to try and lift them off the canvas and back into the top six if they can win and other results fall in their favour.
I am going for the Swans to get the four points and keep alive their September dream. Tip: Shepparton Swans.
MOOROOPNA V TATURA
Mooroopna will look to consolidate its place inside the top six when it welcomes bottom of the ladder, Tatura.
The Cats were jumped by Benalla last round but took control of the contest after quarter time to win the remaining three quarters and run out comfortable winners.
The Bulldogs struggled with Euroa in the first part of the split round, and they are doing their best in the face of adversity.
Jacob Simpson, Andrew Ciavarella, Mitchell Elliott, Mitch Heywood and Curtis Ryan were the Dogs who stood out in the loss to the Magpies, and they will need to continue their good form if they are to be any chance of causing an upset.
Kai Madgwick, Daniel Johnston (six goals), Kobie Issell, Coby McCarthy and Oscar Emanuelli were the players that lead the way to drag the Cats back in front by half-time.
They continued that form in the second half to ensure a big win on the road over the Saints.
If they can control the tempo of the contest and get plenty of ball inside 50, then they should win comfortably. Tip: Mooroopna.
SHEPPARTON V SHEPPARTON UNITED
Shepparton United will be desperate to bounce back when it takes on co-tenant and premiership fancy Shepparton.
The Demons were given a football lesson by the reigning premier in the first part of the split round while the Bears were ruthless against Mansfield.
Joel Serra, Samuel McInneny, Jack McCartney, Mitchell Trevaskis and Jesse Cucinotta will be the Demons that will be desperate to lead the way and ensure they are competitive against the well-drilled Bears.
Ashley Holland is a genuine chance to claim the Morrison Medal.
He has been outstanding since helping Waaia to back-to-back Picola League titles last year.
Adam Decicco, Joel Brett (six goals), Xavier Stevenson and Tyler Larkin will be others looking to continue their good form.
If they can win their share of the ball and get the ball to the forwards, then the Bears should win comfortably. Tip: Shepparton.
EUROA V KYABRAM
Euroa will be looking to continue its winning form and at the same time consolidate its place inside the top six.
The Magpies had a big win over Tatura in the first part of the split round while Kyabram gave up a 28-point lead to slump to defeat by 11 points to the in-form Rochester.
Will Hayes got leather poisoning in his last hit-out for the Pies, racking up more than 50 possessions in the win over the Bulldogs.
And, then he answered a call from Carlton’s VFL team to fly to Sydney to take on the GWS where he helped himself to 37 possessions to help the Blues to a rare win.
He will look to continue his good form along with Nathan Stewart, Tristan Davies, Silver Yousif and Jett Trotter.
If they can continue that good form and curb the influence of Bailey Tome, Kaine Herbert, Aidan Robinson, Cooper Vic and Bohden Learmonth, then the Pies should get the win. Tip: Euroa.
ECHUCA V SEYMOUR
Plenty has changed with the fortunes of these two teams since there last meeting in the finals of 2023.
The Murray Bombers remain on track for a third straight premiership while the Lions have dropped down the table and will miss finals in 2024.
The reigning premier has only lost once in 2024 to its archrival Rochester in the first part of the season while the Lions sit outside the top six with a 3-8 win-loss ratio.
Echuca was ruthless in the first part of the split round, dismantling Shepparton United at Deakin Reserve while the Lions slipped to a narrow home defeat to the Shepparton Swans.
Premiership ruckman Kane Morris had a career best in front of goals with 10 goals.
Benjamin Reid, Jackson Stewart, Jack McHale and Tighe O’Brien were busy in the win and they will be looking to continue that good form against the Lions.
The Lions will look to some of their more consistent contributors in Tom Maloney, Nathan Fowler, Riley Mason and Jack Murphy to take the game up to the Green Machine on its home deck.
I think the home team will have too many weapons all over the ground and especially in its forward line not to take the points. Tip: Echuca.
