A SECOND semi-final showdown between Hay and Ultima kicks off the Golden Rivers senior footy series this Saturday in Hay.
The Lions will be in their den for a rematch of last year’s grand finalists.
This season’s meetings stand at two-one in Hay’s favour against the reigning premier.
Most recent clash was the 13th round in Hay where the Lions won by 22 points.
Previous two contests had been on the Kangaroos’ ground in Ultima.
The Lions won the third round match by 41 points, but the Roos bounced back for a 50-point victory in the eighth round.
Hay and Ultima have plenty of goalscoring power.
A powerful attack for the Lions is led by Jack Headon, 64 goals; Declan Watson, 47; and Dylan Collis, 21.
Leading goalkickers for Ultima are Corey Grey, 40; Ryan Devereux, 28; Josh Dwyer, 21; Dustin Burns, 17; and Thomas Isma and Matt Taverna, 15.
A 13-2 record meant the Jason Aylett and James Moran-coached Hay ended the 15-round home-and-away series on top of the ladder.
Ultima’s win-loss tally of 11-4 earnt the Mitch Seton-Stewart and Kyle Symons-coached team second place.
Among the many key match-ups on Saturday it will be in Ultima’s defence where Caillum Brady, Martyn Cooper, Brad Anderson and Zac Cattlin are up against Kenneth Jubb, Declan Watson, Jack Headon and Dean Aylett.
A Lions’ defence led by James Eddy, Brad Pocock, Tom McGufficke and Jack Cattanach will try to limit the impact Roos’ forwards Corey Grey, Josh Dwyer, Matt Taverna and Jack Delmenico have on the match.
In the ruck it will be James Moran against Jye Purtill.
Lions’ on-ballers Hugh Crighton and Dylan Collis will take on Ricky Wild and Cameron Johnson.
Just how many scoring chances are created and capitalised on will be a key as to whether it’s the Lions or Kangaroos who are first to the September 6 grand final at Macorna.
On Sunday it will be Moulamein and Murrabit fighting to stay in the premiership race when they contest the first semi-final in Moulamein.
The Jack Shannahan-coached Murrabit won at Moulamein in round four by 15 points and then scored a 55-point win at home against the Swans in round nine.
When they met in round 14 it was the Brodie Tonkin and Hayden Dalitz-coached Moulamein which dominated on home turf to win by 55 points.
An eight-seven record put Moulamein on the third rung at the end of the home-and-away series.
Murrabit won a great duel with Wandella by 1.16 per cent to claim fourth place and a spot in the first semi-final.
Key players for Moulamein include Heath Moloney, Brett Kennedy, Xander Hartland, Will Gibson, Adam Saunders, Trae Atkinson, Blake Launer and Mark Drotsky.
Murrabit will look to Bailey Pengelly, Bryden Morison, Austin McKerrow, Ben Derbas, Ben Gillingham, James Stewart, Jackson Brady and Adam Thomson to lead the way to victory.
Schedule for Saturday’s second semi-finals at Hay:
Under-15s at 9.35am: Murrabit v Hay.
Under-18s at 10.45am: Macorna v Wandella.
Reserves at 12.35pm: Ultima v Murrabit.
Seniors at 2.40pm: Hay v Ultima.
Schedule for Sunday’s first semi-finals at Moulamein:
Under-15s at 9.35am: Wandella v Macorna.
Under-18s at 10.45am: Ultima v Hay.
Reserves at 12.35pm: Hay v Wandella.
Seniors at 2.40pm: Moulamein v Murrabit.