BY NATHAN DOLE
THE ladder-leading Kerang and Woorinen meet in Saturday’s seventh round of senior footy in the Central Murray FNL season.
A showdown between first and second in the race for the premiership in the 3SH-backed competition starts at 2.30pm at Woorinen Recreation Reserve.
Kerang was under enormous pressure from Balranald in last Saturday’s match on the Blues’ oval at Riverside Park.
On a day where playing coach Troy Coates reached the 200-game milestone, Kerang fought on for a 46-38 victory.
Best for the Blues in their sixth win of the season were Troy Davis, Adam Hunter, Martin Kelly and Jesse Clark.
Woorinen dominated play at Lake Boga Sports Club.
The Tigers won 69-24 as Taylor Cameron, Lachlan Gardner, Josh Domaille and Ben Booth led the way.
Key players for the yellow and black include Danko Bzenic, Will Collicoat, Doug Beames, Matt Gardner and Robert Rush.
Balranald is back at home at Greenham Park to take on Swan Hill.
It was a superb effort by the Kangaroos to almost break Kerang’s winning run.
Best for Balranald in the 38-46 result included Jaxon and Matthew Neagle, Drew Lloyd and Jordan Wilkins.
The Roos have a 4-1 record in which Ian Fuller, Ethan Gant, Jydon Neagle, Tom Salau have been among the best.
Balranald’s team includes Nathan Ablett, Josh Hodgson and Ned Lay.
Swan Hill had a rest last week.
In round five the Swans soared to an 88-37 win at Cohuna as Jose Miliado, Matthew Wade, Brandon Houlihan and Xavier Moloney were best.
Key players for Swan Hill include ruckman Toby Thoolen, defenders Lachlan Joyce and Hamish Robertson.
The Swans’ attack is led by Wilhem Bennett, captain Luke Phelan, Buol Majur and Elijah Miliado.
It’s two big Saturdays coming up for Swan Hill as it plays Tyntynder on the King’s Birthday holiday weekend on June 10 at Swan Hill Recreation Reserve from 6pm.
After a much-needed win on Tooleybuc Manangtang’s turf, Cohuna Kangas are back home to take on Mallee Eagles.
Last year’s runner-up, Cohuna is sixth on a 3-1 record.
It’s a win tally shared by the fifth-placed Swan Hill which has only played four matches, and by the seventh-placed Lake Boga.
Best for Cohuna in the 22-point win against the Saints included Luke Conca, Daniel Paterson, Will Thrum and Joel Helman.
Other players to watch include coach Tyson Findlay, Jarrod Findlay, Tom Metherell at half-back, Rhys Free and Dylan Johnstone in attack.
The Mallee Eagles are on the rebound from a 62-point loss to Nyah Nyah West United at Lalbert.
Best for the Eagles against the Demons were Harrison Allen, Brent Macleod, Beau Bennett and Paul Davis.
Mallee will look to ruckman Angus McKenzie, on-baller Darcy McGregor, full-back Joe Halloran, and midfielders Brandon Gardiner and Billy O’Meara to play well.
The Bulldogs and the Saints clash this Saturday when Tyntynder hosts Tooleybuc Manangatang at Alan Garden Reserve in Swan Hill.
Tyntynder also had a break last Saturday after a 59-53 loss to Kerang in round five at Alan Garden Reserve.
Best for the Bulldogs in that match were Matthew Gilbee, Isaiah Bull, Justin Ellis and Zac Denham.
Tyntynder will look for big games from the likes of Jason Eagle and Justin Ellis up forward, Patrick Crowe in the centre, Liam Whelan, Elliot Broad and Tate Hulland in defence.
In-form players for Tooleybuc include key forward Josh Williams, centreman Ethan Goldfinch, Jaicob Kenny and Johnathan Marsden.
The Saints have Tim Auckland in the ruck, Tom Spicer at centre half-back, ruck-rover Tom Carland, and Jack Mazzarella in attack.
Koondrook Barham takes on Lake Boga at Barham.
As Lake Boga was beaten by Woorinen last Saturday, Koondrook Barham had the bye.
The River Raiders are yet to claim any premiership points and will rely a lot on the play of Mitch Christensen in the centre, captain Patrick Goble, Colin McVeigh and Jack Thrum to upset the Magpies.
Balranald’s line-up includes Jacob Barrington in the ruck, Matt Dean at full-forward, Jordan Bassett and Scott Wood as key defenders.
Lake Boga’s best against Woorinen included Lincoln Sieben, Ricky Wild, and former Essendon and Port Adelaide forward/midfielder Angus Monfries.
Other players to watch in the black and white include David Gourdis at full-forward, Jayden Lonergan and Nathaniel Holmes-Brown across half-forward, ruckman Jacob Simpson, and Tyle Williams in the centre.
Nyah Nyah West United has the bye.
Central Murray FNL senior footy ladder:
Kerang 244 per cent, 24 points; Woorinen 240, 16; Balranald 176, 16; Nyah Nyah West United 129, 12; Swan Hill 108, 12; Cohuna 101, 12; Lake Boga 94, 12; Tyntynder 79, 4; Tooleybuc Manangatang 76, 4; Mallee Eagles 57, 4; Koondrook Barham 22, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
23 Josh Williams, Tooleybuc Manangatang.
15 Rhys Free, Cohuna.
14 Will Collicoat, Woorinen.
14 Ben Fuller, Balranald.
14 Bradlee Pay, Kerang.
13 Danko Bzenic, Woorinen.
12 Charlie Boulton, Nyah Nyah West United.
12 Michael Runciman, Kerang.
11 David Gourdis, Lake Boga.
11 Troy Coates, Kerang.
10 Doug Beames, Woorinen.
10 Jose Miliado, Swan Hill.