BY NATHAN DOLE
A SHOWDOWN between Woorinen and Balranald highlights this Saturday’s 14th round of senior footy in the Central Murray FNL season.
The Tigers and Kangaroos feature in the match of the day in the 3SH-backed competition at Woorinen from 2.30pm.
It’s a likely prelude to a qualifying final as both teams are locked on 40 points and hold second and third place in the premiership race.
When these clubs met in round three it was Balranald which scored a 77-61 victory on its turf at Greenham Park.
The Tigers and Roos carry winning form into this round.
Woorinen one of the games of the season last Saturday as it fought to claim a two-point win at home against Cohuna Kangas.
Will Collicoat and Danko Bzenic will play key roles in the Tigers’ attack, along with Ben Hunt and Daniel Mase.
Best for the yellow and black against Cohuna included ruck-rover Jye Barry, wingman Taylor Cameron, rover Josh Domaille, and Dylan Godwin across the half-back line.
Major threat to Woorinen’s hopes will be Ben Fuller who kicked eight goals in Balranald’s latest win against Tyntynder.
A strong attack for the Kangaroos includes Matt Neagle and Jordan Wilkins.
Players to watch for Balranald include Ethan Gant, Toby Lay, Ryan Middlebrook and Jydon Neagle.
Refreshed by the bye, Swan Hill is at home to take on Mallee Eagles.
The Swans beat the Eagles by 13 points at Lalbert in round three.
A 6-5 record has Swan Hill in seventh place on the ladder.
Best in an 82-point win against Tooleybuc Manangatang in the 12th round were Brenton Halligan, Luke Phelan and Xavier Moloney.
An attack led by Kallen Heslop, Zach Mihocek and Jose Miliado will test the Eagles.
The Swans have a strong on-ball division of Toby Thoolen, Matt Wade and Brandon Houlihan.
Held to a goal in the second half at Lake Boga last round, Mallee will be keen to hit back.
Best for the Eagles against the Magpies included Beau Bennett, Josh Bibby, Harry McGregor and Zac O’Meara.
Big roles for Mallee’s Angus McKenzie in the ruck, Harrison Allen in the centre, Paul Davis and Brent Macleod in attack.
Kerang faces Nyah Nyah West United at Kerang’s Riverside Park.
The Blues will be wary against a Demons line-up which is a win away from the fourth and fifth-placed Lake Boga and Cohuna.
In round three, Kerang won at Nyah by 51 points.
Kerang dominated last Saturday’s home game against Tooleybuc Manangatang to win by 166 points.
Bradlee Pay kicked 10 goals against the Saints as Rylee Smith, Josh Nitschke, Jesse Clark, Jordan McNeil and Sam Nitschke joined in the scoring spree.
A powerful Kerang line-up coached by Troy Coates includes Tyson Clingan, Josh Hann, Sam Heavyside, Nick Lang and Josh Hunter.
The Blues’ defence is up against Hassan Ahmat-Watkins who kicked six goals as Nyah Nyah West United thrashed Koondrook Barham at Barham.
The NNWU attack includes Charlie Boulton, Campbell Everitt, Dominic Gallo and Dean Harrop.
Key players for the Demons are Brayden Bigham and Jarrod Skinner in defence, Corey and Riley Daniels, and Matt Gibbs.
Koondrook Barham takes on Tyntynder at Barham.
In round three, Tyntynder marked a 110-point win against the River Raiders.
Tyntynder played well to be within 14 points of Balranald at three quarter-time last round.
The Bulldogs could not stop the Kangaroos surging to a 39-point win.
Players to watch for Tyntynder include Patrick Blake, Josh Dwyer and Justin Ellis in attack, Matt Gilbee at full-back, Josh Stone and Elia Ware.
The Bulldogs have Cayden Crowe and Isaiah Bull in on-ball roles.
Been a tough run for Koondrook Barham all season.
Best for the River Raiders last round included ruck-rover Patrick Goble, ruckman Reagan Hamilton, and Colin McVeigh.
Koondrook Barham will look to rover Eli Boyd, centreman Chester Gardner, and defenders Jordan Bassett, Jack Shannon and Kade Watts to compete well.
It’s a bye for Cohuna, Lake Boga, and Tooleybuc Manangatang.
Central Murray FNL senior footy ladder:
Kerang 254 per cent, 48 points; Woorinen 200, 40; Balranald 173, 40; Lake Boga 118, 28; Cohuna 115, 28; Nyah Nyah West United 132, 24; Swan Hill 93, 24; Mallee Eagles 65, 12; Tyntynder 73, 8; Tooleybuc Manangatang 56, 8; Koondrook Barham 28, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
38 Josh Williams, Tooleybuc Manangatang.
35 Ben Fuller, Balranald.
34 Will Collicoat, Woorinen.
31 Rhys Free, Cohuna.
28 Hassan Ahmat-Watkins, Nyah Nyah West United.
28 Bradlee Pay, Kerang.
25 Brent Macleod, Mallee Eagles.
23 Rylee Smith, Kerang.
21 Drew Lloyd, Balranald.
20 Doug Beames, Woorinen.
20 Jydon Neagle, Balranald.
19 Paul Davis, Mallee Eagles.
19 Lochie Laing, Lake Boga.
18 Danko Bzenic, Woorinen.
18 David Gourdis, Lake Boga.
18 Jose Miliado, Swan Hill.
17 Joel Helman, Cohuna.
16 Hayden Hall, Kerang.
15 Jason Eagle, Tyntynder.
14 Charlie Boulton, Nyah Nyah West United.
14 Matt Corney, Tyntynder.
14 Jack Donat, Cohuna.
14 Angus Monfries, Lake Boga.
13 Jye Barry, Woorinen.
13 Troy Coates, Kerang.
13 Jayden Lonergan, Lake Boga.