BY NATHAN DOLE
JUST who is in the top five of the Central Murray FNL’s senior footy competition will not be finalised until after Saturday’s 18th round.
Nyah Nyah West United and Lake Boga start the day’s play in the 3SH-backed competition in fourth and fifth place.
Lake Boga will start favourite, while the NNWU Demons have the bye.
Swan Hill and Cohuna Kangas are fighting to qualify for finals.
A Swans victory could lift them to the fifth rung should Lake Boga be defeated.
Cohuna Kangas are a win behind Lake Boga, but have far superior percentage.
It will be a miracle, but a Cohuna victory and defeats for the Swans and Magpies would see the Kangas jump to the fifth rung.
It’s a huge match for Swan Hill against Balranald at Swan Hill Recreation Reserve.
Regardless of a win, loss or draw, Balranald has secured a top-three finish and a spot in the qualifying final.
When the Swans and Kangaroos met in round seven it was Balranald which claimed a 34-point victory on its turf at Greenham Park.
The Kangaroos will be determined to hit back after consecutive defeats to Lake Boga, 55-60; and Kerang, 86-94.
Swan Hill has won its past two hit-outs against Cohuna, 86-74; and Tyntynder, 94-67.
Key players for the Swans include ruckman Toby Thoolen, ruck-rover Matthew Wade, Jose Miliado in the centre, Kallen Heslop and Zach Mihocek in attack.
Huge challenge for Swan Hill defenders Hamish Robertson, Leighton Dullard, Thomas Corridan and Jarvis Keogh against Ben Fuller, Jydon Neagle, Drew Lloyd and Nathan Ablett.
Other players to watch for Balranald include Jaxon and Matthew Neagle, Ethan Gant, Colin Andrews and Kobe Lloyd.
Top teams Kerang and Woorinen clash at Kerang’s Riverside Park.
The Troy Coates-coached Kerang will be aiming to mark an unbeaten run to the finals.
Massive test for the Woorinen Tigers against the reigning premier.
Just seven points separated these teams when they met at Woorinen in the seventh round.
On that day the Blues fought for a 57-50 victory.
A major strength of the Kerang line-up is its run and teamwork by the on-ballers and midfielders.
Players to watch for the Blues are captain Josh Nitschke in the centre, Hayden Hall on a wing, Josh Hann and Rylee Smith.
Kerang also did well to recruit experienced ruckman/forward Nic Lang from Kangaroo Flat.
The Blues have Martin Kelly capable of winning plenty of the ball, and an attack that includes Michael Runciman and Ryan Gillingham.
Woorinen’s line-up includes Dylan Godwin in the centre, ruckman Lachlan Gardner, Doug Beames, Danko Bzenic, Josh Domaille and Mitchell Uhlhorn.
Mallee Eagles tackle Cohuna at Lalbert.
In round seven Cohuna beat the Eagles by three goals.
The Tyson Findlay-coached Cohuna needs plenty of cards to fall in its favour to be in the five.
First priority is beat the Eagles.
Key players in the Cohuna line-up include Rhys Free at full-forward, Joel Helman in the centre, Jack Donat, Will Thrum and Sam McGlone.
The Kangas also have the premiership-winning experience of Tom Metherell and Jarrod Findlay from their days with North Bendigo.
Mallee will be keen to mark its fifth victory of the season.
Chances of an upset victory will depend greatly on the play of Brent Macleod, Beau Bennett, Paul Davis, Joe Halloran at full-back, Harry McGregor at centre half-back, Billy and Zac O’Meara.
Lake Boga is on home turf at Lake Boga Sports Club to play Koondrook Barham.
The Magpies will be aiming for a big win in the lead-up to another finals campaign.
Lake Boga’s line-up includes Tyle Williams in the centre, Jayden Lonergan and Matt Taverna in attack, ruckman Jacob Simpson, Taylor Johnstone and Marty Parsons in defence.
Been a tough run for the River Raiders from Koondrook Barham.
Recruited from Huntly, Mitch Christensen is one of KB’s most consistent players.
Final hit-out for Koondrook Barham which had the bye last round.
Players to watch for the River Raiders include Jack Thrum in the centre, captain Patrick Goble, Tom Amor and Josh McMahon in defence, and ruckman Reagan Hamilton.
Tooleybuc Manangatang tackles Tyntynder at Manangatang.
In round seven it was Tyntynder which beat the Saints by two goals at Swan Hill’s Alan Garden Reserve.
Both teams are on the rebound from defeat.
A key to the Saints’ chances will be through full-forward Josh Williams and also John and Richard Wardle in attack.
Other in-form players for Tooleybuc Manangatang are Ryan Domaille, ruck-rover Blake Grant, Harrison Maher, Sam Morton and centreman Connor McDonald.
Tyntynder played well to finish within 27 points of Swan Hill last Saturday.
Best for the Bulldogs in that match were ruck-rover Roy George, centreman Josh Stone, Zac Denham, Cayden Crowe, and Sam Bull at half-forward.
Nyah Nyah West United has the bye.
Central Murray FNL senior footy ladder:
Kerang 205 per cent, 60 points; Woorinen 198, 48; Balranald 179, 48; Nyah Nyah West United 137, 36; Lake Boga 112, 36; Swan Hill 98, 36; Cohuna 121, 32; Mallee Eagles 67, 16; Tyntynder 84, 12; Tooleybuc Manangatang 53, 8; Koondrook Barham 25, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
50 Ben Fuller, Balranald.
47 Josh Williams, Tooleybuc Manangatang.
45 Rhys Free, Cohuna.
40 Hassan Ahmat-Watkins, Nyah Nyah West United.
40 Will Collicoat, Woorinen.
38 Brent Macleod, Mallee Eagles.
29 Bradlee Pay, Kerang.
29 Rylee Smith, Kerang.
28 Jydon Neagle, Balranald.
27 Drew Lloyd, Balranald.
24 Lochie Laing, Lake Boga.
22 Jason Eagle, Tyntynder.
22 Jose Miliado, Swan Hill.
21 Danko Bzenic, Woorinen.
21 Ethan Gant, Balranald.
20 Doug Beames, Woorinen.
20 Paul Davis, Mallee Eagles.
19 Hayden Hall, Kerang.
19 Zach Mihoeck, Swan Hill.
18 Daniel Coates, Cohuna.
18 David Gourdis, Lake Boga.
18 Joel Helman, Cohuna.
18 Michael Runciman, Kerang.
17 Charlie Boulton, Nyah Nyah West United.
17 Jack Donat, Cohuna.
17 Angus Monfries, Lake Boga.
16 Riley Daniels, Nyah Nyah West United.
16 Matthew Wade, Swan Hill.