SHEPPARTON V SHEPPARTON SWANS
The Shepparton Swans can mathematically still play finals if it can win its final two games and all other results fall in their favour.
They were able to keep their slim finals aspirations alive by defeating Shepparton United in the second part of the split round.
The Bears were too good for Euroa in the first part of the split round, with Joel Brett, Lewis McShane, Tyler Larkin, Rhiley Lau and Mitchell Brett leading the way.
Co-coaches Ted Lindon and Xavier Stevenson have been re-appointed and both will be looking to continue to play their role while making sure the team has their eye on the big prize.
Nathan Hrovat, Mark Kovacevic, Steele Simpson, Andrew Riordan, Zac Clohesy, Matt Perry, Luke Davies and Zac Alderton were important as the Swans did enough to keep the Demons at bay.
They will be important if they are to upset the Bears and keep alive its season.
Tip: Shepparton.
MOOROOPNA V ROCHESTER
This will be a really good contest and one that still has plenty riding on it.
Both the Cats and Tigers have booked their tickets for September.
But they will want to take winning form into September.
The Tigers have lost two of their past three games while the Cats were able to bounce back after losing in the first part of the split round to Kyabram by accounting for Mansfield.
The re-signed Dylan Gordon, Ryan O’Keefe, Wil Hamilton, Shaun Atley and Matt Kellett were some of the shining lights in the heavy loss to arch rival and reigning premier Echuca in the second part of the split round.
They will need to play well if the Tigers are to do the double over the Cats in season 2024.
Angus Hanrahan, Coby McCarthy, Isaac Dowling, Keelin Betson, William Bella and Daniel Johnstone (11 games for 47 goals) were some of the standout contributors in the important win at the expense of the visiting Eagles.
In a further positive for the Cats, they had 9 different goalkickers which would have pleased John Lamont.
I think this will be a really tight contest and I expect the Tigers to bounce back and win a close one.
Tip: Rochester.
KYABRAM V SEYMOUR
Kyabram will be looking to continue its preparations towards the finals when it welcomes Seymour to its home turf.
The Bombers produced their best four quarter performance in the first part of the split round.
They were too strong for the Cats and they will feel that their form is building towards having an impact in September.
The Lions won a high scoring contest against the Saints last Saturday and they will look to Tom Maloney, Riley Mason (6 goals for season tally of 55) Max Lawrence, Nathan Beattie and Jack Murphy to continue their good form to try and help the visitors claim a big scalp before the curtain draws on their season.
Mitchell Dodos, Marcus Khoo, Liam Ogden, Bailey Tome, Aidan Robinson and Anthony DePasquale (7 goals to be leading the goalkicking with 61 majors) will be important for the Bombers and if they can control the tempo then I think they can get the win.
Tip: Kyabram.
TATURA V SHEPPARTON UNITED
Shepparton United and Tatura will both be desperate to try and get another win before the season draws to a close for 2024.
Neither the Demons or the Dogs will play finals in 2024, but the incentive is there for the home team to try and get off the foot of the table.
A win against the Demons gives them an outside chance to go into the last round to climb off the bottom of the ladder.
A defeat and it will win the wooden spoon.
The Bulldogs were no match for the Eagles in the first part of the split round while the Demons gave a good account of themselves against the Swans last Saturday.
Joel Serra, Aaron Britten, Liam Serra, Samuel Jackson and Fraser Hicks worked tirelessly to give their team a chance against the Swans.
They will look to continue their form and curb the influence of Mitchell Elliott, Tim Wilson, Comanche Walls, Jacob Simpson and Curtis Ryan from leading the Dogs to their first win since their opening day of the season.
I think the Dees have enough avenues to goal to kick a winning score against the Dogs.
Tip: Shepparton United.
BENALLA V EUROA
The stakes are high for Euroa.
A win and the Pies have booked their ticket to the September action.
If they fail to get the job done, then it will go down to their game at Mansfield on the final day of the home and away season.
The Saints were plucky in pushing Seymour all the way.
Mark Marriott, Philip Edgar, Christopher Welsh, Wade King and Colby Mathieson were the standouts for the Saints who kicked one of their highest scores of the season.
The Pies come into the contest off the back of a defeat to second placed Shepparton in the first part of the split round.
Jack McKernan was outstanding in the loss with four goals while Marcus Varley, Dan Garside, Tristan Davies and Jayden Gleeson were others to shine.
If they can continue that form, then they should get past the Saints and book their place in September.
Tip: Euroa.
