SWAN Hill faces a huge challenge against the ladder-leading Nyah Nyah West United in this Saturday’s ninth round in Radio 3SH Central Murray senior footy.
The Swans and unbeaten Demons meet in the clash of sixth against first at Swan Hill Recreation Reserve from 2.30pm.
After a four-nil start to the season the Jason Murphy-coached Swan Hill is now on a five-four record.
Past two hit-outs for the Swans have ended in a 51-point loss to Woorinen and then a 29-point defeat to Tooleybuc Manangatang in Tooleybuc.
Now they are up against a red-hot Demons line-up which is on an eight match winning streak.
Key match-ups on Saturday include Swan Hill captain Tom Holdstock in the centre against Brayden Bigham.
Swans’ on-ballers Buol Majur, James Horsey and Xavier Moloney take on Blake Larkings, Jordan Johnston and Ethan Saville.
In attack the Swans have Tom Smith, Will Simpson and Luke Phelan opposed by Jack Palmer, Nash Richman and Joel Walsh.
It’s a big test for Swan Hill defenders Kaylem Hartley, Noah Angus, Connor Dooley, Flynn Angus and Anthony Lewin against Lachlan Ritchie, Beau Schwarze, coach Corey Daniels, Dominic Gallo and Alex Erlandson.
Koondrook Barham is back on its turf in Barham to play Lake Boga.
Both are on identical win-loss records of three-five as they sit 11th and 12th on the ladder.
Key players for Koondrook Barham include ruck-rover Nathan O’Toole, rover Martin Kelly, Reagan Hamilton and Ryan Bassett in defence, Cameron Arnold and Jacob Barrington in attack.
A crucial match-up for KB will be in the centre where Harry Bremner takes on Braden Padmore.
The River Raiders are coached by Marcus Demaria.
Lake Boga is on the rebound from an eight-goal loss at home to Kerang.
The Dean Helmers-coached Magpies will look for big games from Willem Pye and Dylan McCosh in defence, ruckman Bryce Anderson, Nathaniel Holmes-Brown and Rex Hickman in attack, and Nick Frankling and Riley Paterson from the wings.
It’s the Lions against the Kangaroos as Hay hosts Balranald.
The Hay line-up will be wary of an opponent which achieved a breakthrough victory against Murrabit last Saturday by five goals.
Key players for Hay include co-captains Fergus Cattanach and Joel Crocker, Tom Banuelos, Jack O’Brien, Tom Sheldrick and Declan Watson.
Co-coach James Moran will play in the ruck and team up with Daniel Stewart and Jacob Watson at centre ball-ups and stoppages.
The Lions have Mick Cattanach as co-coach.
A Balranald team coached by Brent Macleod will have gained plenty of confidence from its victory against the Blues.
Players to watch for the Kangaroos include Liam Farnsworth in the centre, Ian Fuller ruck-roving, ruckman Kane Agius, Jack and Tom Salau, Ryan Middlebrook and Sebastian Papa.
It’s M against M as Moulamein hosts Mallee Eagles in the clash of 10th and 2nd.
The Moulamein Swans had a tough hit-out in Nyah last Saturday as the Eagles soared to an 87-point victory on their turf in Lalbert.
Key match-ups for the clash of the Swans and Eagles include the ruck where Moulamein has Heath Moloney to take on Hamish Hosking.
In the centre Swans’ co-coach Brodie Tonkin will take on Cody Henness.
Moulamein will look to Charlie Bowes, Adam Curry, Mark Drotsky, Xander Hartland and Ely Miller to lead the way to an upset victory.
The Swans’ task will not be easy against a Mallee line-up that includes coach Harry Allen, Darcy Hourigan, Darcy and Harry McGregor, and Jayden Post.
Moulamein has Hayden Dalitz as a co-coach.
At Murrabit the Blues take on the Tigers from Woorinen.
Stronger defensive efforts and workrate will be keys for a Murrabit team coached by Rick Ladson and Jack Shannahan.
The Blues have Bryden Morison in the centre, Sam Copland, Jack Keath and Adam Thomson in attack, and Matt Moon and Ryan Smyth to lead the defence.
On-ball battles will be crucial where Murrabit has Ben Gillingham, Ben Derbas and James Russo opposed to Lachlan Gardner, Lachlan Warburton and Henry Thompson.
A strong Woorinen team coached by Tim Free includes Rhys Cason, Will Collicoat, Sam Hilton-Joyce, Tom Langford, Elijah Miliado and Robert Rush.
Kerang is back at Riverside Park to play Tyntynder.
The Brad Pay-coached Kerang fought on to mark a 57-49 win at Lake Boga last Saturday as Tyntynder beat Wandella by 22 points.
Players to watch for Kerang include Liam Jardine in the centre, Archer Dibsdale, Martin Kelly, Cody Makeham, Thomas Hetherington, Tyson Clingan and Ian Fisher.
The Darcy Bibby-coached Tyntynder has ruckman Michael Zambelli to team up with Sam Bull and Patrick Crowe.
Targets in the Bulldogs’ attack include Charlie Blake, Jordi Bibby and Zac Denham.
In defence Tyntynder has Josh Dwyer, James Harvey and Tate Hulland to lead the way.
Ultima hosts Tooleybuc Manangatang in the clash of Storm and Saints.
Both clubs are on a four-four record as they hold seventh and eighth place in the premiership race.
In last Saturday’s play Ultima could not halt Woorinen’s charge to an eight-goal victory.
Key players for the Joel Donnan-coached Storm include Caillum Brady and Matt Taverna in defence, ruckman Jye Purtill, ruck-rover Lucas Caccaviello, and Thomas Isma, Ben Kennedy and Mitch Seton-Stewart in attack.
Tooleybuc Manangatang played well to beat Swan Hill last round.
The Saints’ line-up includes Luke McComb as rover, James Greenwood in the ruck, Austin Hodge in the centre, Nick Ryan and Gareth Grant in defence, and Ben Arentz and Josh Chatfield to lead the attack.
Co-coaches Robbie McComb and Nayef Hamad will play vital roles in attack and ruck-rover respectively for Tooleybuc Manangatang.
Wandella is on home turf against Cohuna Kangas.
Another huge test for the Justin Robinson-coached Bombers against the third-placed Cohuna.
In the on-ball duels Wandella has Darcy Ramage, Angus Jones and Kaine O’Connell to take on Chris Anderson and Ricky Monti.
Bombers’ defenders Brodie McKenzie, Jaspa Chamberlain and Seth Rowe face a formidable Cohuna attack that includes Kain Robins, coach Jack Geary and Lachlan English.
Wandella will look to Tanner Treacy, Tynan Dove and Jack Radcliffe to win plenty of contests.
Players to watch for the Kangas include Mitch Treacy, Tom Toma and Corbin Anderson.
Central Murray FNL senior footy ladder:
Nyah Nyah West United 300 per cent, 32 points; Mallee Eagles 197, 28; Cohuna Kangas 192, 24; Hay 181, 24; Woorinen 149, 24; Swan Hill 140, 20; Ultima 134, 16; Tooleybuc Manangatang 118, 16; Kerang 94, 16; Moulamein 72, 16; Koondrook Barham 121, 12; Lake Boga 82, 12; Tyntynder 43, 12; Murrabit 44, 4; Balranald 37, 4; Wandella 31, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
30 Cameron Arnold, KB.
29 Beau Schwarze, NNWU.
28 Dustin Burns, U; Declan Watson, H.
27 Sam Hilton-Joyce, W.
26 Darcy Hourigan, ME.
25 Zak Bozanich, K.
24 Corbin Anderson, CK; Jonathon Ross, NNWU.
21 Nathaniel Holmes-Brown, LB.
19 Jacob O’Meara, ME; Tom Smith, SH.