CMFNL

LEAGUE LEADERS CLASH AT BALRANALD

A SHOWDOWN of ladder leaders Kerang and Balranald highlights this Saturday’s 17^th round of senior footy in the Central Murray FNL season.

The clash of the top two in the 3SH-backed competition will be played on the Kangaroos’ ground at Balranald’s Greenham Park from 2.30pm.

When these clubs met in round six, Kerang fought for a 46-38 victory against the Kangaroos on the Blues’ turf at Riverside Park.

The unbeaten Kerang is back in action after a bye.

Balranald is on the rebound from a five-point loss to Lake Boga.

Key targets in the Kangaroos’ attack include Ben Fuller, Jydon and Matt Neagle.

A key to Balranald’s chances will be its work in defence and through midfield.

The Kangaroos will look for big games from the likes of Jake Helgeland, Ned Lay, Drew and Kobe Lloyd, and Jack Salau.

Kerang has kept winning, but only just.

In round 15, Kerang was under fire in the last quarter at Cohuna but was able to claim a nine-point win against the Kangas.

Players to watch in the Troy Coates-coached Blues team include Ryan Gillingham, Sam Heavyside, Martin Kelly, Josh Nitschke and Rylee Smith.

The Blue also have ruckman Nic Lang, and key defenders Troy Davis and Josh Hunter.

Another big match will be at Woorinen where the Tigers face Lake Boga.

It’s third against fourth.

Woorinen did plenty of atacking to score 23 goals in last Saturday’s match against Koondrook Barham, but can expect the pressure to be much higher.

A strong attack for the Tigers includes Will Collicoat, Lachlan and Matt Gardner, Charlie King and Danko Bzenic.

Players to watch for Woorinen include Josh Domaille, Doug Beames, Henry Thompson, Mitchell Uhlhorn and Lachlan Warburton.

A 60-55 win at home against Balranald was arguably Lake Boga’s best performance of the season.

The Magpies will be determined to keep the winning run rolling and also show they learnt plenty from a 45-point loss to Woorinen in the sixth round.

The play of Nathaniel Holmes-Brown, Lincoln Sieben, Ricky Wild and Tyle Williams will be crucial to the Magpies’ chances.

Others to watch for Lake Boga are Jayden Lonergan, Xavier Sherlock and Matt Taverna.

Nyah Nyah West United has home-ground advantage for its showdown with Mallee Eagles .

The Demons have climbed to the fifth rung and cannot afford to slip-up at Nyah as Swan Hill and Cohuna are ready to pounce.

In round six, NNWU beat the Eagles at Lalbert by 62 points.

The Demons won last Saturday’s match against Tooleybuc Manangatang at Manangatang by 19 points.

Ethan Saville kicked two goals in a best afield performance for the red and blue.

Players to watch for NNWU include Hassan Ahmat-Watkins, Brayden Bigham, Joel Campbell, Kayne Davidson, Zack Threadgold and Joel Walsh.

The Demons also have Ethan Curran, Matt Gibbs and Jarrod Stokes capable of winning many contests.

Mallee Eagles had the bye last round.

Most recent hit-out for Mallee ended in a 49-point win at home against Tooleybuc Manangatang.

The Eagles’ attack in that match was led by Brent Macleod and Andrew McDonald on eight and five goals.

Best in Mallee’s fourth win of the season included Beau Bennett, Joe Halloran, Angus McKenzie and Zac O’Meara.

Test for an Eagles’ defence that includes Harry McGregor and Billy O’Meara.

Tyntynder and Swan Hill clash at Alan Garden Reserve in Swan Hill.

It’s a must-win match for the Swans to keep the heat on the fifth-placed NNWU Demons.

Swan Hill won the King’s Birthday holiday weekend match against Tyntynder by 16 points.

The Swans worked incredibly hard to score a two-goal win against Cohuna Kangas last Saturday.

Kallen Heslop led the Swans’ attack on four goals as Jose Miliado added two.

Selected forward line for this match includes Zach Mihocek, Brandon Houlihan and captain Luke Phelan.

On-baller Matt Wade has had a superb season for the Swans.

The Swans also have Sonny Beasy on  a wing, Thomas Corridan and Xavier Molonoey at half-back.

Tyntynder had the bye last round.

The Bulldogs kept the heat on Lake Boga in the round 15 match at Swan Hill’s Alan Garden Reserve.

Tyntynder led by 28 points at three quarter-time, but could not stop Lake Boga’s surge of 6.3 to a goal to claim a 74-69 victory.

Best for the Bulldogs in that match were Matt Gilbee, Jordi Bibby, Harry Simpson, Zac Denham, Brock Storer and Elliot Broad.

Big roles to play for Josh Stone in the centre, Isaiah Bull as ruck-rover, and Jason Eagle at full-forward.

Cohuna Kangas are at home to play the Saints from Tooleybuc Manangatang.

The Kangas start the round in seventh place and a win behind Nyah Nyah West United, and Swan Hill.

Cohuna will be determined to rebound from last week’s loss to Swan Hill.

In round six, Cohuna won 101-79 at Tooleybuc.

Key players for the Tyson Findlay-coached Cohuna include Jack Donat, Rhys Free, Jarrod Findlay, Joel Helman, Tom Metherell, and Will Thrum.

The Kangas also have rover Sam McGlone, Riley Hird, and Brenton Conforti.

The Saints were beaten by 19 points in last week’s clash with NNWU United at Manangatang.

Key players for the Saints include ruckman Tim Auckland, Blake Grant, Ethan Goldfinch, Jaicob Kenny, Ethan Goldfinch, Connor McDonald and Josh Williams.

Koondrook Barham has the bye.

BLUES WIN GREAT CONTEST WITH ROOS

KERANG’S unbeaten run kept rolling after a hard-fought eight point victory on Balranald’s turf in Saturday’s 17^th round of senior footy in the Central Murray FNL season.

The Blues and Kangaroos played out a great match in the Radio 3SH-backed competition at Balranald’s Greenham Park.

At quarter-time it was the Roos who led 20-13 and they scored 4.2 to 5.1 in the second for a 46-44 lead at the main break.

Kerang lifted its play to win the vital third quarter, 28-13.

A highly entertaining final term went the Roos’ way, 27-22, but it was Kerang which held on for a 94-86 victory.

The Blues’ attack was led by Rylee Smith, four; Caleb Nitschke, three; Hayden Hall and Nic Lang on two.

Ben Fuller booted three goals for Balranald as Colin Andrews, Ethan Gant, Drew Lloyd and Matt Neagle added two each.

Best for the Troy Coates-coached Kerang were ruckman Nic Lang, Rylee Smith, Josh Nitschke, Jesse Clark, Ryan Gillingham and Hayden Hall.

Balranald’s best were Colin Andrews, Jaxon Neagle, Kobe and Drew Lloyd, Ethan Gant and Harrison Soraggi.

Despite its inaccuracy, Woorinen marked a 32-point win at home against Lake Boga.

The Lake Boga line-up led 19-15 at quarter-time, but Woorinen dominated most of the second term to score 3.7 to 1.2.

Across the second half the Tigers scored 8.13 as the Magpies added 6.6.

Lachlan Gardner kicked a team-high five goals in a 101-69 result for Woorinen.

Lake Boga’s attack was led by Matt Taverna, four; and Dustin Burns, two.

Best afield honours went to Lachlan Warburton as Dylan Godwin, Lachlan Gardner, Danko Bzenic, Doug Beames and Mitchell Uhlhorn were among Woorinen’s best.

Nathaniel Holmes-Brown, Dustin Burns, Tyle Williams, Marty Parsons, Matt Taverna and Jayden Lonergan played well for Lake Boga.

Swan Hill defeated Tyntynder by 27 points at Swan Hill’s Alan Garden Reserve.

The Swans led 23-14 at quarter-time and 45-34 by half-time.

A seven-goal haul by Zach Mihocek capped a 94-67 win for the Swans.

Tyntynder’s attack was led by Jason Eagle on four.

Best for Swan Hill were Zach Mihoeck, ruckman Toby Thoolen, Matt Wade, Lachlan Vrolijks, Tom Holdstock and Xavier Moloney.

Roy George, Josh Stone, Zac Denham, Cayden Crowe, Jason Eagle and Sam Bull were best for the Bulldogs.

Nyah Nyah West United dominated its clash with Mallee Eagles on Nyah’s turf.

The Eagles led 15-8 at quarter-time, but from there it was the red-hot Demons who took charge.

NNWU scoreed 7.1 to 1.3 in the second and then slammed on eight goals in the third for a 55-point lead at a quarter to play.

Goalkicking accuracy was superb as the Demons finished on 23.6 (144) to 8.11 (59).

Leading goalkickers were Hassan Ahmat-Watkins, seven; Ethan Curran, Ethan Saville, Jarrod Stokes, Joseph Violi and Joel Walsh, two.

The Eagles’ attack was led by Shaun Harrison and Brent Macleod on three.

Best for the Demons were Campbell Everitt, Ethan Saville, Kayne Davidson, Ethan Curran, Zack Threadgold and Hassan Ahmat-Watkins.

Harrison Allen, Brent Macleod, Harry McGregor, Beau Bennett, Billy O’Meara and Angus McKenzie worked hard for the Eagles.

Cohuna Kangas marked a 113-point win at home against Tooleybuc-Manangatang.

The Tyson Findlay-coached Cohuna played a brilliant opening half to score 15.11 to 3.3.

Rhys Free was in superb touch as he went on to kick a match-high nine goals and be best on ground in a 153-40 victory for the Kangas.

Daniel Coates kicked four goals for Cohuna as Dylan Johnstone added three and Jack Donat chipped in with two.

The Saints’ attack was led by Josh Williams with four.

Best for Cohuna were Rhys Free, Jack Donat, Daniel Coates, Daniel Paterson, Will Thrum and Jarrod Findlay.

Blake Grant, Harrison Maher, Connor McDonald, Ryan Domaille, Josh Williams and Sam Morton were Tooleybuc-Manangatang’s best.

Koondrook Barham had the bye.

WOORINEN BREAKS LAKE BOGA'S UNBEATEN RUN

IT TOOK until the 17^th round, but Lake Boga’s unbeaten run in the Central Murray FNL’s A-grade netball competition is over.

Woorinen won a dramatic clash with Lake Boga on the Tigers’ court at Woorinen last Saturday.

The Tigers led 11-6 at quarter-time and 23-19 by the main break.

In the third it was the Magpies who fought back brilliantly to win the quarter, 9-6.

Woorinen held a one-goal buffer at the start of what would be a high-scoring final team in which both teams poured in 14 goals.

At the final whistle Woorinen led 43-42.

Goalers for the Tigers were Tayla Bennett, 33; Emily Siely, 6; and Amy Cadd, 4.

Lake Boga’s attack was led by Sarah Hepburn, 35; and Katie Hepburn, 7.

The Balranald Kangaroos leapt to a 17-goal win at home at Greenham Park against Kerang.

Balranald led 21-17 at half-time and then controlled most of the play in the second half to record a 45-28 victory.

Ella Mirtchin and Jess Parry scored 27 and 18 goals for Balranald.

Kerang’s attack was led by Courtney Robertson, 24; and Olivia Jones, 4.

Tyntynder and Swan Hill met at Alan Garden Reserve in Swan Hill.

A closely-fought opening quarter ended with Tyntynder in front, 11-10.

From there it was the Swans who won the next three quarters, 17-10, 20-7, and 20-6 to record a 67-34 victory.

Zoe Morris scored 44 goals for the Swans as Ingrid Condely added 23.

Goalers for Tyntynder were Kimberley Calvert, 22; and Kelsey Rowe, 12.

Nyah Nyah West United was outplayed by Mallee Eagles at Nyah.

The Eagles led 15-9 at quarter-time and had gained a 17-goal lead by half-time.

In the third, Mallee won 14-11, and then scored 15 goals as it held the Demons to a tally of nine in the last for a 60-34 result.

Mallee’s attack was led by Megan Thorneycroft, 41; and Emelia Shannahan, 19.

Cohuna Kangas won a closely-fought contest at home with Tooleybuc Manangatang.

Scores were 12-all at quarter-time before Cohuna won the second term, 14-13.

It was 40-38 in favour of the Kangas at a quarter to go.

With Carmen Dye and Kobie McIvor finishing with 29 and 28 goals the Kangas claimed a 57-49 victory.

Koondrook Barham had the bye.

FIVE NOT SET AS TEAMS TACKLE LAST ROUND

JUST who is in the top five of the Central Murray FNL’s senior footy competition will not be finalised until after Saturday’s 18th round.

Nyah Nyah West United and Lake Boga start the day’s play in the 3SH-backed competition in fourth and fifth place.

Lake Boga will start favourite, while the NNWU Demons have the bye.

Swan Hill and Cohuna Kangas are fighting to qualify for finals.

A Swans victory could lift them to the fifth rung should Lake Boga be defeated.

Cohuna Kangas are a win behind Lake Boga, but have far superior percentage.

It will be a miracle, but a Cohuna victory and defeats for the Swans and Magpies would see the Kangas jump to the fifth rung.

It’s a huge match for Swan Hill against Balranald at Swan Hill Recreation Reserve.

Regardless of a win, loss or draw, Balranald has secured a top-three finish and a spot in the qualifying final.

When the Swans and Kangaroos met in round  seven it was Balranald which claimed a 34-point victory on its turf at Greenham Park.

The Kangaroos will be determined to hit back after consecutive defeats to Lake Boga, 55-60; and Kerang, 86-94.

Swan Hill has won its past two hit-outs against Cohuna, 86-74; and Tyntynder, 94-67.

Key players for the Swans include ruckman Toby Thoolen, ruck-rover Matthew Wade, Jose Miliado in the centre, Kallen Heslop and Zach Mihocek in attack.

Huge challenge for Swan Hill defenders Hamish Robertson, Leighton Dullard, Thomas Corridan and Jarvis Keogh against Ben Fuller, Jydon Neagle, Drew Lloyd and Nathan Ablett.

Other players to watch for Balranald include Jaxon and Matthew Neagle, Ethan Gant, Colin Andrews and Kobe Lloyd.

Top teams Kerang and Woorinen clash at Kerang’s Riverside Park.

The Troy Coates-coached Kerang will be aiming to mark an unbeaten run to the finals.

Massive test for the Woorinen Tigers against the reigning premier.

Just seven points separated these teams when they met at Woorinen in the seventh round.

On that day the Blues fought for a 57-50 victory.

A major strength of the Kerang line-up is its run and teamwork by the on-ballers and midfielders.

Players to watch for the Blues are captain Josh Nitschke in the centre, Hayden Hall on a wing, Josh Hann and Rylee Smith.

Kerang also did well to recruit experienced ruckman/forward Nic Lang from Kangaroo Flat.

The Blues have Martin Kelly capable of winning plenty of the ball, and an attack that includes Michael Runciman and Ryan Gillingham.

Woorinen’s line-up includes Dylan Godwin in the centre, ruckman Lachlan Gardner, Doug Beames, Danko Bzenic, Josh Domaille and Mitchell Uhlhorn.

Mallee Eagles tackle Cohuna at Lalbert.

In round seven Cohuna beat the Eagles by three goals.

The Tyson Findlay-coached Cohuna needs plenty of cards to fall in its favour to be in the five.

First priority is beat the Eagles.

Key players in the Cohuna line-up include Rhys Free at full-forward, Joel Helman in the centre, Jack Donat, Will Thrum and Sam McGlone.

The Kangas also have the premiership-winning experience of Tom Metherell and Jarrod Findlay from their days with North Bendigo.

Mallee will be keen to mark its fifth victory of the season.

Chances of an upset victory will depend greatly on the play of Brent Macleod, Beau Bennett, Paul Davis, Joe Halloran at full-back, Harry McGregor at centre half-back, Billy and Zac O’Meara.

Lake Boga is on home turf at Lake Boga Sports Club to play Koondrook Barham.

The Magpies will be aiming for a big win in the lead-up to another finals campaign.

Lake Boga’s line-up includes Tyle Williams in the centre, Jayden Lonergan and Matt Taverna in attack, ruckman Jacob Simpson, Taylor Johnstone and Marty Parsons in defence.

Been a tough run for the River Raiders from Koondrook Barham.

Recruited from Huntly, Mitch Christensen is one of KB’s most consistent players.

Final hit-out for Koondrook Barham which had the bye last round.

Players to watch for the River Raiders include Jack Thrum in the centre, captain Patrick Goble, Tom Amor and Josh McMahon in defence, and ruckman Reagan Hamilton.

Tooleybuc Manangatang tackles Tyntynder at Manangatang.

In round seven it was Tyntynder which beat the Saints by two goals at Swan Hill’s Alan Garden Reserve.

Both teams are on the rebound from defeat.

A key to the Saints’ chances will be through full-forward Josh Williams and also John and Richard Wardle in attack.

Other in-form players for Tooleybuc Manangatang are Ryan Domaille, ruck-rover Blake Grant, Harrison Maher, Sam Morton and centreman Connor McDonald.

Tyntynder played well to finish within 27 points of Swan Hill last Saturday.

Best for the Bulldogs in that match were ruck-rover Roy George, centreman Josh Stone, Zac Denham, Cayden Crowe, and Sam Bull at half-forward.

Nyah Nyah West United has the bye.