MANY clubs are still in contention for a top-eight finish and place in the Radio 3SH-backed Central Murray FNL senior footy finals as they contest this Saturday’s 11th round.
Locked on 20 points, Moulamein and Kerang meet at Moulamein Recreation Reserve from 2.30pm.
The Swans and Blues are 9th and 10th on the league ladder.
In last Saturday’s play, Moulamein won at Lake Boga by three goals as Kerang fell to a six-goal defeat to Koondrook Barham at Kerang’s Riverside Park.
Crucial match-ups for the battle of the Swans and Blues includes Moulamein’s Mark Drotsky at full-back against Zak Bozanich, Ethan Fitzpatrick in the centre opposed to Kerang playmaker Tyson Clingan, and Heath Moloney rucking against Ian Fisher.
A Swans’ team coached by Brodie Tonkin and Hayden Dalitz includes Matt Edwards, Xander Harland, Brett Kennedy and Ely Miller.
The Brad Pay-coached Kerang will look to Hugh Bremner, Damian Byrne, Martin Kelly, Flynn McKnight and Rylee Gitsham to lead the charge to victory.
It’s seventh against second as Ultima hosts Mallee Eagles.
Massive test for the Joel Donnan-coached Ultima which is on the rebound from a 75-point loss to Nyah Nyah West United.
The Storm line-up to tackle the Eagles includes Caillum Brady, Lucas Caccaviello, Andrew Dean, Sol Kelly, Billy O’Toole and Matt Taverna.
Mallee marked a 16-goal win against Swan Hill in Lalbert last Saturday.
An Eagles’ team coached by Harry Allen has Darcy Hourigan and Cody Henness in attack, Jack Landt in the centre, Hamish Hosking in the ruck, Joe Halloran and Tom McGregor in defence.
Fifth and sixth-placed Hay and Tooleybuc Manangatang meet in the clash of Lions and Saints at Hay Recreation Reserve.
The Mick Cattanach and James Moran-coached Hay is on the rebound from a 25-point loss to Woorinen.
Tooleybuc Manangatang scored a 153-15 win against Murrabit at Manangatang last Saturday.
Key players for the Lions include Fergus and Jack Cattanach, Declan and Jacob Watson, Joel Crocker and Dylan Collis.
A Tooleybuc Manangatang team coached by Robbie McComb and Nayef Hamad has Ben Arentz and Josh Chatfield in attack, James Greenwood in the ruck, Luke McComb roving, and the pacy Jedd and Rydar Morris on the wings.
Koondrook Barham faces Tyntynder in Barham.
The Marcus Demaria-coached River Raiders teamed well in a 67-31 win at Kerang last Saturday.
A four-six record has Koondrook Barham in 11th place.
Players to watch in the KB line-up include Kye Attwell, Ryan Bassett, Harry Bremner, Martin Kelly, Nathan O’Toole and Jack Thomas.
Massive challenge for the Darcy Bibby-coached Tyntynder to bounce back from a 194-point loss to Cohuna Kangas.
The Bulldogs have Patrick Crowe and Zac Denham in attack; Jordi Bibby, Josh Dwyer and Tate Hulland in defence; Michael Zambelli and Elia Ware as ruckman and ruck-rover.
Two mobs of kangaroos meet as Cohuna Kangas face Balranald.
The Jack Geary-coached Cohuna was in superb form against Tyntynder at Swan Hill’s Alan Garden Reserve last round.
A formidable Cohuna line-up which is third on the ladder includes Chris and Corbin Anderson, Joel Helman, Sam McGlone, Ricky Monti and Mitch Treacy.
Huge test for the Brent Macleod-coached Balranald which has Jake Lockhart, Ryan Middlebrook and Jack Salau in defence; Kane Agius and Ian Fuller as ruckman and ruck-rover; and Ben Brett and Seb Papa in attack.
It’s the Magpies against the Swans as Swan Hill faces Lake Boga at Swan Hill Recreation Reserve.
The Jason Murphy-coached Swan Hill is eighth on a five-six record.
A Lake Boga team coached by Dean Helmers will be keen to notch win number five.
Key players for the Swans include Thomas Corridan and Matt Gilbee in defence; Buol Majur and Tom Smith in attack; and on-ballers Tom Holdstock and Cooper Angus.
A highlight will be the clash of Patrick Veszpremi against Magpies’ star Braden Padmore in the centre.
Lake Boga’s team has Rex Hickman and Nathaniel Holmes-Brown as key targets in attack, and a defence led by Patrick Bryan, Jordan Reardon and Ryan Fox.
It’s the Bombers against the Tigers as Wandella hosts Woorinen.
The Justin Robinson-coached Wandella is up against the reigning premier.
Match-ups for Wandella include Tim Robinson at full-back against Jose Miliado, Tynan Dove in the centre against Henry Thompson, and Nathan Boysen and Jaspa Chamberlain close to goal opposed by Blake and Kane Reid.
The Tim Free-coached Woorinen has an on-ball group of Lachlan Gardner, Lachlan Warburton and Jye Barry to take on Darcy Ramage, John Cooper and Harvey Macri.
Murrabit’s back on home turf against Nyah Nyah West United.
Defensive pressure will be a focus for the Rick Ladson and Jack Shannhan-coached Blues against the NNWU Demons.
The Murrabit team includes Sam Copland, Ben Gillingham, Bryden Morison, Bailey Pengelly, Ryan Smyth and Adam Thomson.
A formidable Demons’ team coached by Corey Daniels has Charlie Boulton, Alex Erlandson and Riley Daniels in attack; Brayden Bigham in the centre; and on-ball trio of Nash Richman, Dominic Gallo and Ethan Saville.
Central Murray FNL senior footy ladder:
Nyah Nyah West United 300 per cent, 40 points; Mallee Eagles 240, 36; Cohuna Kangas 276, 32; Woorinen 164, 32; Hay 188, 28; Tooleybuc Manangatang 133, 20; Ultima 119, 20; Swan Hill 105, 20; Kerang 103, 20; Moulamein 63, 20; Koondrook Barham 63, 16; Lake Boga 85, 16; Tyntynder 35, 12; Balranald 38, 8; Murrabit 38, 4; Wandella 31, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
38 Darcy Hourigan, ME.
37 Cameron Arnold, KB.
36 Declan Watson, H.
34 Zak Bozanich, K.
33 Sam Hilton-Joyce, W’neen.
32 Dustin Burns, U.
29 Corbin Anderson, CK; Beau Schwarze, NNWU.
27 Jacob O’Meara, ME.
24 Jonathon Ross, NNWU.
23 Josh Chatfield, TM; Jack Headon, H; Nathaniel Holmes-Brown, LB.
20 Daniel Coates, CK; Will Collicoat, W’neen.
19 Adam Curry, M’mein; Rex Hickman, LB; Tom Smith, SH; Tom Toma, CK.