BY NATHAN DOLE
Kerang strives to break Demons unbeaten run
KERANG will be striving to end Nyah Nyah West United’s unbeaten run in Saturday’s eighth round in the Radio 3SH senior footy competition across the Central Murray.
It’s the reigning premiers on their turf at Kerang’s Riverside Park against a red-hot Demons line-up from 2.30pm.
A record of four wins, one loss and a draw has the Troy Coates-coached Kerang in fourth place.
The Jason Murphy and Nick O’Neill-coached Nyah Nyah West United has played superb football to hold top spot nearing the halfway mark of the home-and-away series.
Among the many key match-ups for Kerang will be at full-back where Josh Hunter takes on Brandyn Grenfell.
A century goalkicker in Marong’s premiership run of ’22 and ’23, Grenfell leads the CMFNL goalkicking race on 28 goals.
A strong attack for NNWU includes Charlie Boulton, Riley Daniels and Darcy Butler.
Kerang’s defence includes captain Josh Nitschke, Lachlan Ross and Ryan Gillingham.
Major strength for the Blues is the on-ball division of Nick Lang, Josh Hann and Martin Kelly, and centreman Sam Heavyside.
They will take on Blake Larkings, Dominic Gallo, Zack Threadgold and Jordan Iudica.
Main targets in Kerang’s attack are Thomas Hetherington, Archer Dibsdale and Tyson Clingan.
Demons’ defenders Campbell Everitt and Lucas Iudica were among the best in last Saturday’s win against Cohuna Kangas.
It’s a one-match stint on the sidelines for Alex Erlandson and Nick O’Neill after they were reported in last Saturday’s match.
Balranald faces a danger game on home turf at Greenham Park against Mallee Eagles.
The Jydon Neagle-coached Balranald will start favourite to mark a sixth win, but will be wary of an opponent which drew with Kerang just two weeks ago.
Key players for Balranald include Jaxon and Matt Neagle, Harrison Soraggi, Drew Lloyd and Colin Andrews.
Crucial roles will be played in the Kangaroos’ defence by Jack Jones against Darcy Hourigan, and Jack Helgeland against Andrew Mead-Harding.
The Brent Macleod-coached Eagles also have former Richmond player Jayden Post, Beau Bennett, Paul Davis, Jacob and Zac O’Meara, and Jai Middleton capable of winning many contests.
Tyntynder and Tooleybuc Manangatang are both on the rebound from defeat as they meet on the Bulldogs’ turf at Swan Hill’s Alan Garden Reserve.
A three-three record has Tyntynder in seventh place, but just four points behind the fifth-placed Tooleybuc Manangatang.
The Jack O’Rourke-coached Bulldogs played well to be within three goals of Woorinen at the last change in their round seven clash.
Best for Tyntynder in a 99-63 defeat were Ned Lay, Cayden Crowe and Roy George.
Tyntynder’s team to take on the Saints includes Jason Eagle, Jayden Magro and Cameron Cook in attack, Isaiah Bull and Coady Gorringe across half-back, and ruckman Matt Gilbee.
The Brad Morris-coached Saints will be fired up.
Win and Tooleybuc Manangatang could gain a two-win break on Mallee and Tyntynder.
Best for the Saints in a 27-point loss at home to Balranald were Josh Williams, Blake Grant and Jackson Morris.
On-ballers Connor Mcdonald, Kai Kearns, Blake Grant and Elliot Chalmers will work hard to create enough scoring opportunities for Johnathan Marsden, Jesse Kane and Zach Prentice.
It’s been a tough season for Lake Boga, one-five, and Swan Hill, zero-six.
The Magpies and Swans clash at Lake Boga Sports Club.
The Dean Helmers-coached Lake Boga will be determined to improve goalkicking after a score of 4.13 against Mallee Eagles at Lalbert.
Will Doquile, Fraser Colville and Marty Parsons were best in the Magpies’ latest hit-out.
Key players for Lake Boga include David Gourdis, ruckman Kai Everett, Jayden Lonergan and Zac Warne.
Massive test for Magpies defenders Dylan McCosh, Nelson Ibbs and Josh Wills opposed to Ned McKeown, Brandon Houlihan and Luke Phelan.
The Michael Herlihy-coached Swans team bound for Lake Boga includes ruckman Toby Thoolen, Thomas Isma, Tom Holdstock, Cooper Angus and Lachlan Joyce.
The Swans will be without Elijah Miliado as he starts a two-game ban for striking.
Koondrook Baraham is at home against Woorinen.
Most recent hit-out for the River Raiders at Barham ended in a three-point loss to Balranald in round five.
The Will Callow-coached Koondrook Barham faces another big challenge against the third-placed Tigers.
Huge task for a KB defence of Scott Wood, Nathan Hura, Jack Thrum and Nathan Hamence against Matt and Lachlan Gardner, Daniel Mase and Regan Vesty.
Woorinen also has former Melbourne and Carlton player Brock McLean in a forward pocket.
Mitch Christensen is one of the most consistent players for Koondrook Barham and will have a big role to play in the ruck against the in-form Arnold Kirby.
The River Raiders will also look to Patrick Goble, Jason Hura and Billy Driscoll to compete strongly in and around the packs.
A Woorinen team coached by Marcus Demaria has worked hard for a five-two record.
Players to watch for the Tigers include Doug Beames, Jye Barry, Mitch Uhlhorn, Will Collicoat and Hugh Thompson.
Cohuna Kangas has the bye.
Central Murray FNL senior footy ladder:
Nyah Nyah West United 152 per cent, 24 points; Balranald 139, 20; Woorinen 127, 20; Kerang 158, 18; Tooleybuc Manangatang 113, 16; Mallee Eagles 106, 14; Tyntynder 90, 12; Cohuna Kangas 97, 8; Lake Boga 55, 4; Swan Hill 61, 0; Koondrook Barham 50, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
28 Brandyn Grenfell, Nyah Nyah West United.
22 Darcy Hourigan, Mallee Eagles.
18 Colin Andrews, Balranald.
16 Lachlan Gardner, Woorinen.
15 Drew Lloyd, Balranald.
15 Josh Williams, Tooleybuc Manangatang.
14 Matt Neagle, Balranald.
13 Izaac Johnson, Cohuna Kangas.
13 Jydon Neagle, Balranald.
12 Joel Helman, Cohuna Kangas.
12 Connor Nutting, Tooleybuc Manangatang.
12 Nick O’Neill, Nyah Nyah West United.
11 Jason Eagle, Tyntynder.
11 Clayton McCartney, Woorinen.
10 Charlie Boulton, Nyah Nyah West United.
10 Archer Dibsdale, Kerang.
10 Michael Herlihy, Swan Hill.
10 Dylan Johnstone, Cohuna Kangas.