BY NATHAN DOLE
SEPARATED by a point last time they met, Nyah Nyah West United and Lake Boga clash in Saturday’s 12th round of the Central Murray FNL’s senior footy action.
The NNWU Demons are on home turf at Nyah to tackle the Magpies.
In round two it was Lake Boga which held on for a 65-64 victory.
Lake Boga goes into this match in fourth place on a 6-4 record.
The Demons are seventh on a 4-6 tally, so it’s a crucial match in determining whether NNWU can qualify for the finals series.
In last Saturday’s play, NNWU was beaten at Woorinen by 19 points.
Lake Boga dominated its home game against Tooleybuc Manangatang to record a 102-25 victory.
Key players for Nyah Nyah West United include Hassan Ahmat-Watkins, Charlie Boulton and Riley Daniels in attack, Brayden Bigham and Ethan Curran on the wings.
The Demons also have ruckman Joel Campbell and Joel Walsh in defence, and Jarrod Stokes.
Best for the Magpies in their win against the Saints included Lincoln Sieben and Lachlan Burns.
Lake Boga’s line-up includes former Essendon and Port Adelaide forward/midfielder Angus Monfries, David Gourdis in attack, Ryan Fox, Matt Taverna and Ricky Wild.
Refreshed by the bye, Tyntynder takes on Woorinen at Alan Garden Reserve in Swan Hill.
In round two the Tigers roared to a 113-point victory against the Bulldogs at Woorinen.
An 8-2 record has Woorinen in third place in the premiership race.
Tyntynder’s is ninth on a 2-8 record.
Key players for the Bulldogs include captain Elia Ware, Matt Gilbee across the half-back line, Mick Dedini on a wing, Matt Corney, Cayden and Patrick Crowe.
The aptly-named Jason Eagle can also soar for a mark or two in attack.
Latest hit-out for Woorinen ended in a 19-point win against the NNWU Demons.
Players to watch in the yellow and black include Jye Barry in the centre, Doug Beames and Will Collicoat in attack, ruck-rover Josh Domaille.
The Tigers also have Danko Bzenic, Lachlan Gardner and Robbie Miller.
Mallee Eagles take on the unbeaten Kerang at Lalbert.
In round two the Blues thrashed the Eagles by 161 points at Kerang’s Riverside Park.
Mallee will be determined to put in a much stronger showing this time.
The Troy Coates-coached Kerang won last Saturday’s hard-fought clash with Swan Hill by just 16 points.
Key players for the Blues include rover Sam Heavyside, captain Josh Nitschke in the centre, and Lachlan Ross.
The Blues also have former Kangaroo Flat ruckman Nic Lang, Sam Nitschke at centre half-forward, Ashley Davis and Liam Jardine in defence.
Mallee played well to mark a 70-point win against Koondrook Barham at Barham last round.
Best for the Eagles in that match were Darcy McGregor, Beau Bennett, Brent Macleod and Angus McKenzie.
Mallee will also look for big games from the likes of Paul Davis and Andrew McDonald in attack, Braiden Bennett, Matt Despott and Harry McGregor in defence.
The Cohuna Kangas are at home to take on Koondrook Barham.
Previous meeting between these clubs ended in a 73-point win for the Kangas.
The Tyson Findlay-coached Kangas are on the rebound from a 43-point loss at Balranald.
A 6-4 record has Cohuna in fifth place on the ladder.
Key players for Cohuna include ruckman Nathah Hammond, Jake Hammond at centre half-back, Mitchell Treacy in the centre, and ruck-rover Sam McGlone.
The Kangas also have the experience of Dylan Friedberger, Jarrod Findlay, Tom Metherell and Luke Conca.
It’s been a tough run for Koondrook Barham as it tries to break its season duck.
Best for the River Raiders in last Saturday’s match against Mallee Eagles were Mitch Christensen, Will Lake, Corey Barrington and Eli Boyd.
The River Raiders will look to Colin McVeigh, Patrick Goble, Scott Wood and Chester Gardner to win a fair share of contests.
Tooleybuc Manangatang takes on Swan Hill at Tooleybuc.
In round two the Saints beat the Swans by 71 points at Swan Hill.
Key players for Tooleybuc Manangatang include Ryan Domaille at centre half-back, Ethan Goldfinch in the centre, Blake Grant and Jack Mazzarella.
The Saints were held to just three goals at Lake Boga last round.
The play of Tim Auckland in the ruck, Josh Williams and Connor McDonald in attack will be crucial to Tooleybuc-Manangatang’s chances.
Sixth on a 5-5 record, Swan Hill must win to keep the heat on the fourth and fifth-placed Lake Boga and Cohuna.
The Swans fought back from a 26-point deficit at quarter-time to finish within 16 points of Kerang last Saturday.
Players to watch for Swan Hill include Tom Holdstock at half-back, ruck-rover Matt Wade, and ruckman Toby Thoolen.
The Swans also have the leadership of Luke Phelan, and a quality attack that includes Sonny Beasy, Elijah and Jose Miliado.
Balranald has the bye.
Central Murray FNL senior footy ladder:
Kerang 226 per cent, 40 points; Balranald 178, 36; Woorinen 224, 32; Lake Boga 118, 24; Cohuna 103, 24; Swan Hill 82, 20; Nyah Nyah West United 109, 16; Mallee Eagles 71, 12; Tyntynder 75, 8; Tooleybuc Manangatang 71, 8; Koondrook Barham 30, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
36 Josh Williams, Tooleybuc Manangatang.
30 Will Collicoat, Woorinen.
28 Rhys Free, Cohuna.
27 Ben Fuller, Balranald.
24 Brent Macleod, Mallee Eagles.
19 Doug Beames, Woorinen.
19 Hassan Ahmat-Watkins, Nyah Nyah West United.
18 Drew Lloyd, Balranald.
17 David Gourdis, Lake Boga.
17 Jydon Neagle, Balranald.
16 Paul Davis, Mallee Eagles.
15 Hayden Hall, Kerang.
15 Jose Miliado, Swan Hill.
15 Bradlee Pay, Kerang.
15 Rylee Smith, Kerang.
13 Danko Bzenic, Woorinen.
13 Troy Coates, Kerang.
13 Jason Eagle, Tyntynder.
13 Angus Monfries, Lake Boga.