KYABRAM V SHEPPARTON UNITED
Kyabram will be looking to take another step towards securing its place in the September action when it welcomes Shepparton United to its recreation reserve. The visitors come into the match on a high after a comprehensive win over Benalla last round.
It was the Demons second win of 2024 and it was set up by the strong contributors from Liam Serra (four goals), Joel Serra, Jesse Cucinotta, Samuel Jackson, Mitchell Serra and Kaedyn Napier (three goals).
The Bombers would have been thrilled to come away from the High Country with the win and a place inside the top six. The win allowed them to move a game clear of Mansfield (7th) and Shepparton Swans (8th).
Brad Whitford, Bohden Learmonth, Marcus Khoo, Aidan Robinson and Jackson Griffiths helped set up the win after the visitors won three of the four quarters at Mansfield.
In a further positive for the Bombers, they had 9 different goal-kickers and their leading goalkicker Anthony DePasquale didn’t kick a goal.
The Demons won three quarters and if they can get some little wins within the game, they will fancy themselves, but with so much on the line I think the Bombers win.
Tip: Kyabram.
TATURA V ROCHESTER
Rochester will be looking to bounce back to the winners’ list after it was handed a reality check against Shepparton at home last round. The loss was their first since losing to the Bears in round 3.
Despite the loss, the Tigers remain clear in third place and they will look to Nathan McCarty, Mitchell Trewhella, Blake Evans, Lachlan Watson and Douglas Wren to lead them back onto the winners’ list against the struggling Dogs.
Despite struggling to go with the Bears and winning only one quarter, coach Ash Watson will feel confident has chargers can turn it around against the Dogs who suffered a heavy loss last round down at Seymour.
The Dogs are really limping to the finish line. They have been decimated by injuries to a number of their best 21 and aside from the opening day win they have had some really tough days at the office in season 2024.
They will look to Curtis Ryan, Chris Ryan, Mitch Heywood, Andrew Ciavarella and Liam Scopelliti to try and make them competitive against the Tigers who will be desperate to get back on the winners list.
Tip: Rochester.
ECHUCA V EUROA
Euroa has nothing to lose when it makes the trip across to the Port of the Murray River to take on the reigning premier.
The Murray Bombers are an unbelievable outfit and very much have adopted the next man up mantra despite having a bunch of the premiership players out of the best 21.
Daniel Willis has been super for the Green Machine. Known for his forward craft, he relished the challenge of going back to be a key back for the premiers.
Sam Willoughby (three goals), Benjamin Reid, Jack McHale, Harry Milburn and Will Monahan (three goals) were outstanding in the win over the Cats last round.
The Murray Bombers had 10 different goalkickers in the 10-goal win.
The Magpies will have their work cut out if they allow the game to be played on Echuca’s terms.
They were very solid for three quarters last round before not scoring a last quarter goal to go down by 11 points.
Lachlan Hill, Ryan Pendlebury, Marcus Varley, Andrew Bell and Jett Trotter will be looking to lead the way for the visitors.
If they can match Echuca around the contest, then they will fancy themselves of coming away with the win.
Tip: Echuca.
BENALLA V MANSFIELD
Benalla will be looking to redeem itself after it missed an opportunity to chalk up a rare win at Deakin Reserve last round.
After some competitive performances in the past month, coach Jarrod Waite would have been disappointed with his chargers.
He would feel they missed an opportunity and struggled for the best part of that game until the last quarter where they out-scored the Demons. But by that time, the game was already lost.
The re-appointed Waite will turn to the likes of Christopher Welsh, Wade King, Tyler McGregor, Patrick Warner and Colby Mathieson to try and take the game to the visiting Eagles from the first bounce.
On the other hand, the Eagles will be looking for their first win since June 1 when they defeated Euroa at Memorial Oval.
They have been hit hard by player unavailable in recent weeks and it has impacted them on the scoreboard and in the win-loss column.
Ben Les, Tom Dunstan, Brayden Van Winden, Cody George, Jack Christopher and coach Jack Hutchins will be important if the Eagles are to end their run out of outs and keep their September dream alive.
Tip: Mansfield.
SHEPPARTON SWANS V MOOROOPNA
This is a massive match in the context of the season for the Shepparton Swans.
The Swans kept their September dream alive when they came from behind to overcome Euroa at Memorial Oval by two goals.
The win moved them to equal on points with seventh placed Mansfield and four points adrift of sixth placed Kyabram.
Swans coach Jedd Wright knows there is little margin for error for his chargers.
And he knows the Cats will be coming out eager to redeem themselves after giving up a 10-goal loss to Echuca.
Ruckman, Keelin Betson, Jed Woods, Campbell McElhinney, Ben Hicks and Angus Hanrahan will be important for the Cats.
Coach John Lamont would have been happy with the team’s start, but he would be disappointed by the second quarter and how the team finished the game against the Murray Bombers.
They missed the suspended Daniel Johnstone against the Murray Bombers.
He will miss a further two games before he returns to the forward line, so the likes of ruckman Mark Kovacevic, Andrew Riordan, Max Clohesy, Hugh Mason and Steele Simpson will be important if the Swans are to win and keep their September dream alive.
Tip: Shepparton Swans.
SHEPPARTON V SEYMOUR
Shepparton will be looking to take another step towards locking in its place in the top two when it welcomes the in-form Seymour to Deakin Reserve.
The Lions come to Deakin Reserve off their biggest win of the season when it defeated the hapless Dogs by nearly 200 points.
The win by them was the single biggest winning margin of any team in season 2024.
Coach Ben Davey knows his team will face a tougher challenge when they take on the Bears led by leading ruckman Ashley Holland, Jacob Watts, Liam Duguid, Lachy Rumbiolo and Ethan Baxter
The Bears were dominant during the middle part of the game and they had 13 different goalkickers.
In a further boost for the Bears premiership aspirations, Jonty Wardle made a successful return after a lengthy lay off and co-coach Xavier Stevenson returned to the line-up.
Riley Mason (10 goals), Nathan Fowler (eight goals), Jack Murphy, Max Lawrence and Tom Maloney were some of the Lions to feast on the hapless Bulldogs.
They have been competitive in their losses this season and while I don’t think they can claim the scalp of the Bears, I think they can push them all the way.
Tip: Shepparton.
