BY NATHAN DOLE
Saints tackle Demons at Tooleybuc
A SHOWDOWN between Tooleybuc Manangatang and Nyah Nyah West United highlights Saturday’s third round of the 3SH-backed senior footy competition across the Central Murray.
It’s third against second as the Saint and Demons meet at Tooleybuc at 2.30pm.
A great start by the Brad Morris-coached Saints began with a nine-point victory against Mallee Eagles and then a 43-point win on Swan Hill’s turf.
Now Tooleybuc Manangatang takes on one of the most formidable attacks in the competition.
Saints’ defenders Jackson Morris, Jaicob Kenny, Harrison Maher and John Wardle will be up against Brandyn Grenfell, Darcy Butler, Charlie Boulton and Jordan Iudica.
A key to Tooleybuc Manangatang’s chances will be control of the on-ball contests where Connor McDonald, Gareth and Blake Grant are opposed to Blake Larkings, Ethan Saville and Dominic Gallo.
Another big match will be at Woorinen where the Tigers tackle Cohuna Kangas.
Woorinen is on the rebound from a 31-point loss at Nyah.
Key players for the yellow and black include ruckman Arnold Kirby, centreman Josh Domaille, Doug Beames and Matt Gardner in defence, Lachlan Gardner and Clayton McCartney in attack.
A one-one record has the Jack Geary-coached Cohuna Kangas in fourth place.
Players to watch for the Kangas include Joel Helman in the centre, Sam McGlone and Rhys Thrum on the wings, Brenton Conforti and Jayden Cordy across half-back, Dylan Johnstone in attack.
Tyntynder tackles Lake Boga at Alan Garden Reserve in Swan Hill.
The Bulldogs have a one-one record.
Latest hit-out for the Dogs ended in a 57-42 loss at Kerang’s Riverside Park.
Key players for Tyntynder include Jason Eagle, Justin Ellis, Matt Gilbee, Isaiah and Sam Bull, Jayden Magro and Elia Ware.
Lake Boga had a first-round bye and went down 48-134 in last Saturday’s home game against the ladder-leading Balranald.
Best for the Magpies were Zac Warne, Kai Everett, Josh Wills and Nathaniel Holmes-Brown.
Lake Boga also has William Doquile, Ryan Fox, Brodie Tonkin, Jayden Lonergan and Taylor Johnstone capable of winning plenty of the footy.
The River Raiders from Koondrook Barham are back home at Barham to take on Kerang.
Been a tough start for the KB line-up.
Best for the Raiders in their match against Cohuna were Jack Shannon, Kye Attwell and Jack Thrum.
Koondrook Barham will look for big games from the likes of Patrick Goble, Jordan Bassett, Mitch Christensen and Nathan Hura.
The Troy Coates-coached Kerang will start hot favourite to take the points.
The Blues fought hard for a 57-42 win against Tyntynder as Sam Heavyside, Martin Kelly, Josh Hunter and Jesse Clark led the way.
Kerang’s line-up bound for Barham includes ruckman Nick Lang, Archer Dibsdale, Adam Baird, Josh and Caleb Nitschke, and Bradlee Pay.
Mallee Eagles face Swan Hill at Lalbert.
Both will be desperate to mark their first win of the season.
Key players for Mallee include Brent Macleod in the centre, Jayden Post at centre half-forward, ruckman Jai Middleton, Zac O’Meara, Joe Halloran and Beau Bennett.
A key match-up for the Eagles will be at centre half-back where Kieren Bourke was named to take on former Melbourne and Port Adelaide player Jimmy Toumpas.
Players to watch for Swan Hill include coach Michael Herlihy, Thomas Isma in the centre, ruckman Toby Thoolen, Elijah and Jose Miliado, and a half-back line of Tom Holdstock, Hamish Robertson and Ned McKeown.
Balranald has the bye.
Standings in the 3SH-backed senior footy competition in the Central Murray:
Balranald 158 per cent, 8 points; Nyah Nyah West United 156, 8; Tooleybuc Manangatang 145, 8; Cohuna Kangas 168, 4; Kerang 107, 4; Woorinen 104, 4; Tyntynder 89, 4; Mallee Eagles 88, 0; Swan Hill 60, 0; Koondrook Barham 42, 0; Lake Boga 35, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
9 Drew Lloyd, Balranald.
9 Josh Williams, Tooleybuc Manangatang
8 Colin Andrews, Balranald.
7 Brandyn Grenfell, Nyah Nyah West United.
7 Dylan Johnstone, Cohuna Kangas.
7 Clayton McCartney, Woorinen.
7 Jydon Neagle, Balranald.
6 Joel Helman, Cohuna Kangas.
5 Archer Dibsdale, Kerang.
5 Matt Neagle, Balranald.
5 Caleb Nitschke, Kerang.
5 Nick O’Neill, Nyah Nyah West United.
4 Charlie Boulton, Nyah Nyah West United.
4 Corey Daniels, Nyah Nyah West United.
4 Josh Domaille, Woorinen.
4 Lachlan Gardner, Woorinen.
4 Michael Herlihy, Swan Hill.
4 Jordan McNeil, Kerang.
4 Josh Stone, Woorinen.