BY NATHAN DOLE
Tigers stalk Demons at Woorinen
WOORINEN Tigers will stalk and then aim to take the points against Nyah Nyah West United in Saturday’s 12th round of senior footy in the Radio 3SH-backed competition across Central Murray.
Teams are back in action after last Saturday’s general bye which was held as Central Murray teamed with Golden Rivers to win the inter-league clash with Sunraysia in Mildura.
After coaching Central Rivers to an emphatic victory, Woorinen’s Marcus Demaria is now focused on finding a way to beat the NNWU Demons.
As Woorinen clings to the fifth rung on a six-four record, Nyah Nyah West United has a nine-one tally and is six points clear of Kerang at the top of the ladder.
When the Tigers and Demons met in round two it was the Jason Murphy and Nick O’Neill-coached NNWU which won by 31 points at Nyah.
The Tigers will be snarling after a 25-point loss to Mallee Eagles at Lalbert last round.
As Woorinen was beaten, NNWU fought on for a 73-69 win against Tyntynder.
Among the many key match-ups for the Tigers will be at full-back against Brandyn Grenfell who has kicked 47 goals to be leading the race for the league’s goalkicking title.
The Tigers named Doug Beames at full-back.
Big roles will be played by Matt Gardner, Henry Thompson, Otto Conlan and Mitch Ulhorn in Woorinen’s defence.
A powerful Demons line-up includes Joel Walsh, Jordan and Lucas Iudica, Chalrton Boulton, Campbell Everitt and Dominic Gallo.
Ethan Curran played for the Demons in the round 11 clash against Tyntynder in a season where he has represented Bendigo Pioneers in five Coates Talent League matches.
Another big match will be at Alan Garden Reserve in Swan Hill where Tyntynder takes on Kerang.
The Jack O’Rourke-coached Tyntynder is seventh, but just four points behind the fourth-placed Balranald.
The Bulldogs will take plenty of confidence from finishing within 15 points at Kerang in round two.
Tyntynder’s Jayden Magro kicked five goals and was best afield for Central Rivers against Sunraysia.
Bulldogs’ ruckman Matt Gilbee is up against the experienced Nick Lang.
Tyntynder will also look for big games from the likes of Isaiah Bull, Marcus Wattie, Jason Eagle, Elia Ware, Elliot Broad and Cameron Cook.
The Troy Coates-coached Kerang has plenty of run and hunger as it chases a premiership hat-trick.
Players to watch for the Blues include Sean Hunter, Archer Dibsdale, Sam Heavyside, Bradlee and Nicholas Pay, Martin Kelly and captain Josh Nitschke.
Tooleybuc Manangatang tackles Swan Hill at Manangatang Recreation Reserve.
The Brad Morris-coached Tooleybuc Manangatang has had an extended break as it had a bye in the 10th round.
Back in round two the Saints beat the Swans by 43 points.
A seventh victory could put Tooleybuc Manangatang on the fifth rung.
Key players for the Saints include Johnathan Marsden in the centre, Josh Williams and Connor Hazlett in attack, ruck-rover Jesse Wilson, rover Blake Grant, Ben Arentz and Conor Wilson in defence.
A crucial role will be played by ruckman Ryan Domaille against the experienced Toby Thoolen.
The Saints will be wary of the Michael Herlihy-coached Swans who scored a 40-point win against Koondrook Barham last round.
Key players in the Swans’ pursuit of consecutive victories include Sonny Beasy, Tom Holdstock, Thomas Isma, Jarvis Keogh, Anthony Lewin, Elijah Miliado, and captain Luke Phelan.
Koondrook Barham takes on Cohuna Kangas at Barham.
Another big test for the River Raiders against a team fighting to stay in finals contention.
The Jack Geary-coached Kangas enhanced their prospects by scoring an 11-point win at home against Balranald last round.
Mitch Christensen was among the best in the inter-league match and will play a crucial role for Koondrook Barham once again.
The Will Callow-coached River Raiders also have Jack Shannon, Jack Thrum, Billy Driscoll, Patrick Goble and Kye Attwell capable of winning plenty of the footy.
A strong on-ball division for Cohuna includes captain Joel Helman and Jayden Cordy.
The Kangas also have Sam McGlone, Jarrod Findlay, Izaac Johnson, Jack Donat, Brenton Conforti and Marcus Rogers.
Balranald will be back on home turf at Greenham Park to take on Lake Boga.
The Jydon Neagle-coached Kangaroos will be keen to bounce back after a loss to Mallee Eagles at Lalbert.
In round two it was Balranald which scored an 86-point win at Lake Boga.
The Roos’ line-up for this match includes Drew Lloyd, Lachlan Lellman and Matt Neagle in attack, ruck-rover Colin Andrews, Harrison Soraggi in the centre, and Jack Jones and Jaxon Neagle leading the defence.
For the Dean Helmers-coached Lake Boga a key will be a high level of pressure in all quarters.
Charlie Bryan was named in the ruck for the Magpies where he will team with Nathaniel Holmes-Brown, Aaron Lonergan and Kadek Irvan at the centre ball-ups.
Other crucial players for Lake Boga include David Gourdis, Jayden Lonergan, Zac Warne, Taylor Johnstone and Marty Parsons.
Mallee Eagles has the bye.
Central Murray senior footy ladder:
Nyah Nyah West United 140 per cent, 36 points; Kerang 169, 30; Mallee Eagles 112, 30; Balranald 123, 24; Woorinen 117, 24; Tooleybuc Manangatang 110, 24; Tyntynder 101, 20; Cohuna Kangas 102, 16; Lake Boga 53, 8; Swan Hill 73, 4; Koondrook Barham 56, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
47 Brandyn Grenfell, Nyah Nyah West United.
40 Darcy Hourigan, Mallee Eagles.
27 Drew Lloyd, Balranald.
26 Josh Williams, Tooleybuc Manangatang.
25 Jason Eagle, Tyntynder.
22 Jayden Magro, Tyntynder.
21 Colin Andrews, Balranald.
20 Lachlan Gardner, Woorinen.
20 Matt Neagle, Balranald.
17 Jydon Neagle, Balranald.
16 Charlie Boulton, Nyah Nyah West United.
16 Roy George, Tyntynder.
16 Joel Helman, Cohuna Kangas.
16 Andrew Mead-Harding, Mallee Eagles.
15 Michael Herlihy, Swan Hill.
15 Kai Kearns, Tooleybuc Manangatang.
14 Izaac Johnson, Cohuna Kangas.
14 Ned McKeown, Swan Hill.
14 Jordan McNeil, Kerang.
14 Nic O’Neill, Nyah Nyah West United.
13 Sean Hunter, Kerang.
13 Dylan Johnstone, Cohuna Kangas.
13 Arnold Kirby, Woorinen.
13 Johnathan Marsden, Tooleybuc Manangatang.
13 Toby Thoolen, Swan Hill.
12 Archer Dibsdale, Kerang.
12 Connor Nutting, Tooleybuc Manangatang.
11 Lachlan Lellman, Balranald.
11 Clayton McCartney, Woorinen.
11 Luke Phelan, Swan Hill.
10 Kye Attwell, Koondrook Barham.
10 Mitch Christensen, Koondrook Barham.
10 David Gourdis, Lake Boga.
10 Koben Ryan, Lake Boga.