GRFNL Round 2 Preview

TOP teams Moulamein and Macorna meet in Saturday’s second round of senior footy in the Golden Rivers Football League. 

The Macorna Tigers will have home-ground advantage for a big contest with last season’s runner-up which starts at 2.25pm. 

Both teams made a great start to their season. 

Macorna won 51-36 at Wandella as Moulamein marked a 66-point victory at home against Murrabit. 

Key players for the Tigers include wingmen Shaun Haffenden and Lachlan Ritchie, full-forward Malcolm Neiwand, and Alex Kirby and Grady Smith. 

Daniel Aarsman and Andy Silva kicked three goals apiece in Moulamein’s win. 

The Swans will also look for big games from the likes of Blake Azzopardi,  rover Corey Farrell, Ely Miller and Khy Stovell on the wings. 

Murrabit and Hay are both on the rebound from defeat as they meet on Murrabit’s turf. 

The much-travelled Damian Cupido kicked six goals in Murrabit’s clash with the Swans at Moulamein to be among the Blues’ best. 

It’s almost 20 years since Cupido booted five goals as Essendon beat Collingwood in the Anzac Day showdown of 2003 by 66 points. 

Cupido marked a short, but spectacular AFL career between 2000 and ’05. 

The brilliant forward played 13 games for Brisbane Lions and 40 with Essendon. 

Best for Murrabit against the Swans included ruckman and co-captain Ben Gillingham, Michael Grant at full-back, and Zak Hard at centre half-back. 

The Blues’ line-up includes Rhys Carmichael, co-captain Nathan O’Toole and Ashton Wood. 

Another pride of Lions, Hay will be keen to hit back from a one-goal loss at home to Ultima. 

The play of rover Dom Booth, Fergus Cattanach at half-back, Kynan Headon, and Tom Spence at centre half-back will be a key to Hay’s chances. 

A young line-up is jointly captained by Ken Jubb and Brad Pocock. 

Ultima will start favourite to take the points at home against Wandella. 

Both featured in closely-fought matches in round one. 

The Kangaroos from Ultima won at Hay by a goal, while Wandella was within 15 points of Macorna at the final siren. 

Players to watch for Ultima include Martyn Cooper at full-back, ruck-rover Jake Foster, and Mitch and Tyler Makepeace. 

The Roos also named Jye Purtill at full-forward, Thomas Bull in the centre, and Will Nelson on a wing. 

Best for the Wandella Bombers in the first round included ruck-rover Mitch Collins, Russell Rich at full-back, Tim Robinson at half-back, and centreman Kane Timmins. 

The Bombers will also look for ruckman Jayden Crellin, Kane Timmins in the centre, and Ryan Jardine at full-forward to have an influence on the contest. 

Golden Rivers FL senior footy ladder: 

Moulamein 217 per cent, 4 points; Macorna 141, 4; Ultima 113, 4; Hay 88, 0; Wandella 70, 0; Murrabit 45, 0. 

Leading goalkickers: 

6 Damian Cupido, M’bit. 

3 Daniel Aarsman, M’mein; Andy Silva, M’mein. 

2 Blake Azzopari, M’mein; Amos Farrell, M’mein; Jye Purtill, U; Rodney Reeves, M’mein; Darren Rushton, W; Khy Stovell, M’mein; Liam Whitbourne, H.