WOORINEN faces a big test against Mallee Eagles in the Radio 3SH Central Murray senior footy second semi-final to be played on Saturday in Barham.
Sole defeat for the Tim Free-coached Woorinen across the 16-round home-and-away series was a seven-goal loss in the Eagles’ nest at Lalbert in the 14th round.
When the Tigers and Eagles met in round four it was Woorinen which marked an 82-65 victory.
As the Tigers had a rest in week one of the finals, Mallee Eagles soared to a 10-goal win against Cohuna Kangas in the qualifying final at Woorinen.
The Eagles had 10 goalkickers in the 101-41 victory.
A major strength of the Woorinen line-up is the on-ball group of Lachlan Gardner, Henry Thompson and Lachlan Warburton.
They will be up against Zac O’Meara, Eagles’ co-coach Harry Allen, and Matthew Rankine.
In the centre, Woorinen has Jye Barry to take on Shaun Harrison.
The Tigers’ attack led by Doug Beames, Kyle Skene, Will Collicoat and Jose Miliado will be up against Clinton Cummins, Tom McGregor, Isaiah Bull and Jayden Post.
Massive test for Woorinen defenders Matt Gardner, Mitch Uhlhorn, Blake and Kane Reid against Darcy Hourigan, Andrew Mead-Harding, Eagles’ co-coach Brent Macleod, and Toby Sheahan.
On Sunday it will be Cohuna Kangas and Nyah Nyah West United fighting to stay in the premiership race.
The Kangas and Demons will meet in the first semi-final at Tooleybuc at 2.30pm.
Cohuna beat the reigning premier by 49 points in round four on the Kangas’ ground.
The Jack Geary-coached Cohuna then won 103-69 at Nyah in the 13th round.
The Kangas will be determined to rebound from the 10-goal loss to Mallee Eagles in the qualifying final.
The NNWU Demons who are jointly coached by Corey Daniels and Jason Murphy marked a 37-point victory to eliminate Koondrook Barham from the premiership race.
A talented Cohuna line-up includes Tom Toma as ruck-rover, Jayden Cordy in the centre, Will Lee, Brenton Conforti and Jarrod Findlay in defence.
A highlight will be the duel between Kangas rover Ricky Monti and the experienced Patrick Veszpremi.
A premiership winner with Golden Square, Monti faces an opponent whose career includes stints with Port Melbourne, Williamstown, Nyah Nyah West United, Birchip-Watchem, and Woorinen.
The Kangas will look for plenty of drive from Hudson Fountain and Noah Hore in midfield.
Key targets in Cohuna’s attack include Corbin Anderson, Tyson Farrant, Brodie Fry and Jackson Williams.
The Demons’ defence is led by Nic O’Neill, Nash Richman, Brady Davidson and Zack Threadgold.
In the reserves, Woorinen and Mallee Eagles will contest the second semi-final from 12.25pm.
The Eagles won the qualifying final against Koondrook Barham by 24 points.
The Tigers won both clashes with the Eagles in the home-and-away series.
Woorinen marked a 52-29 win at home in round four and then marked a 59-32 victory in the 13th round at Lalbert.
It’s the River Raiders against the Magpies as Koondrook Barham and Lake Boga contest the first semi-final.
Lake Boga fought on for a 54-50 win against Nyah Nyah West United in the elimination final.
The Magpies beat Koondrook Barham by 33 and 27 points in the run to the finals action.
In the Colts competition, Lake Boga and Swan Hill will contest the second semi-final from 10.20am.
The Swans won the qualifying final against Balranald by six goals.
It was one-all between the Swans and Magpies in the home-and-away series.
Lake Boga won at Swan Hill in round four by 79 points.
The round 13 match in the Magpies’ nest ended in a 75-52 win for the Swans.
Balranald and Cohuna Kangas meet in Sunday’s first semi-final.
The Kangas dominated most of the elimination final to beat Koondrook by 38 points.
Cohuna scored an 18-goal win at home against Balranald in round two.
When both mobs of Kangaroos met in round 15 it was Balranald which won 71-48 at Greenham Park.
Semi-finals action will kick off with the Mildura Health Fund under-15s matches at 9am.
Swan Hill and Kerang will contest the second semi-final.
The Kerang Blues won the qualifying final against Mallee by five goals.
Huge challenge for Kerang as the Swans scored wins against the Blues by 29 and 21 points in rounds three and 14.
Mallee Eagles will tackle Koondrook Barham in the first semi-final.
Their only meeting so far was in round three where the River Raiders won 83-7 in the Eagles’ nest at Lalbert.
The Eagles are on the rebound from a five-goal loss in the qualifying final showdown with Kerang.
Koondrook Barham fought on for a 50-46 win against Tyntynder in the elimination final at Swan Hill Recreation Reserve.