BY NATHAN DOLE
IT’S the showdown of the Lions and Tigers as Hay hosts Macorna in Saturday’s 15th round of senior footy in the Golden Rivers FNL season.
Hay and Macorna also meet in a likely first semi-final prelude between these clubs at Hay from 2.25pm.
When they last met in round 10 it was Hay which won 94-57 on Macorna’s turf.
Both teams had impressive wins last round.
Macorna beat Murrabit by 55 points and Hay marked a 94-point win at Wandella.
Key players for the Tigers include Hunter Anset, Fergus Bear, Josh Cameron and Nick Ingleton.
Macorna also has captain Malcolm Neiwand, and the leadership of Shaun Haffenden and Toby Whinfield.
The Tigers’ attack is led by Lachlan Ritchie, Josh Walters, Troy Parker and Chris Wilson.
Declan Watson and Jensen Hargreaves kicked seven and six goals in Hay’s win at Wandella and will test the Tigers all match.
Other players to watch for the Lions are Dom Booth, Jack Cattanach, Will Clark, Jim Houston and captain Brad Pocock.
Moulamein is back on home turf to play Wandella.
In round 10 it was Wandella which soared to a 101-81 win at home against the Moulamein Swans.
Memories of that defeat will spur Moulamein this time.
The Swans are also on the rebound from a 13-point loss on Ultima’s turf.
Moulamein’s attack includes Andy Silva, Corey Farrell, Daniel Aarsman, Josh Flight and Rodney Reeves.
A talented line-up for the Swans includes Blake Azzopardi, ruckman Anthony Daw, Luke Shannon in the centre, and Cody Storm.
Was a tough day for Wandella against Hay, although Adam Ward, Russell Rich and Jarred Schlitz played well for the red and black.
Ricky Cathie and Jack Danckert will play key roles in the Bombers’ attack.
Murrabit is at home to play the ladder-leading Ultima.
Former Brisbane Lions and Essendon forward Damian Cupido starts the match needing a goal to hit the 50-mark for the Murrabit Blues.
In last Saturday’s play, Murrabit was beaten at Macorna by 55 points.
Key players for the Blues include captain Nathan O’Toole, defenders Tobie Cameron, Sean Gillen, Michael Grant, and Rhys Carmichael.
Big task in the midfield for Blues’ team-mates Brayden Turvey, Michael Crossett and Morgan Randall.
Ultima’s fighting quality was to the fore as it turned an 11-point deficit at the start of the final quarter against Moulamein into a 13-point win.
Leading goalkickers in the Kangaroos’ latest victory were Ryan Devereux and Kyle Symons.
Players to watch for Ultima include ruck-rover Caillum Brady, Zac Cattlin, Mitch and Tyler Makepeace, ruckman Luke Doolan, and Mitchell Seton-Stewart.
Golden Rivers FNL senior footy ladder:
Ultima 170 per cent, 52 points; Moulamein 134, 40; Hay 124, 36; Macorna 89, 20; Wandella 68, 12; Murrabit 57, 8.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
49 Damian Cupido, Murrabit.
36 Declan Watson, Hay.
34 Andy Silva, Moulamein.
31 Lachlan Ritchie, Macorna.
29 Daniel Aarsman, Moulamein.
24 Khy Stovell, Moulamein.
21 Kyle Symons, Ultima.
20 Josh Flight, Moulamein.
19 Ryan Devereux, Ultima.
18 Amos Farrell, Moulamein.
18 Michael Rowe, Wandella.
17 Simon Bunyan, Hay.
17 Jensen Hargreaves, Hay.
17 Josh Walters, Macorna.
16 Fergus Cattanach, Hay.
16 Chris Wilson, Macorna.
14 Troy Parker, Macorna.
14 Liam Whitbourne, Hay.