BY NATHAN DOLE
THE Demons from Nyah Nyah West United will put the heat on Cohuna Kangas in Saturday’s eighth round of the Central Murray FNL’s senior footy action.
Sixth in the 3SH-backed competition on a 3-3 record, Nyah Nyah West United is back on home turf at Nyah for this crucial contest.
The Cohuna Kangas make their way to Nyah determined to mark their fourth win and jump a rung on the ladder.
NNWU had the bye last round.
The previous Saturday the Demons were in great form as they won 130-68 against Mallee Eagles at Lalbert.
Best for NNWU in that match were Joel Walsh, Jarrod Stokes, Charlie Boulton and Ethan Saville.
A Demons’ attack which includes Hassan Ahmat-Watkins, Alex Erlandson and Dominic Gallo will be up against Nathan Hammond, Jake Hammond and Daniel Paterson.
After consecutive defeats in rounds four and five, Cohuna is now chasing three wins on the trot.
Cohuna scored a hard-fought 88-70 victory at home against Mallee Eagles last round as Jarrod Findlay, Joel Helman, Daniel Paterson and Luke Conca led the way.
Key players for the Kangas include Sam McGlone, coach Tyson Findlay, Will Thrum and Rhys Free.
Four points is the difference between the third-placed Woorinen and seventh-placed Swan Hill who clash at Swan Hill this Saturday.
Swan Hill is on the rebound from a 41-75 loss at Balranald.
The task does not become any easier against a Woorinen line-up which has a 4-2 record following a 50-57 loss at home to the unbeaten Kerang.
Swan Hill has the experienced Toby Thoolen in the ruck and had Hamish Robertson and Matt Wade play well against Balranald.
Another player to watch for the Swans is Matt Holdstock on a wing.
Holdstock has played for Swan Hill since 2018 after stints with Kerang, Golden Square, Newbridge, Cohuna Kangas, and Murrabit.
An attack which includes Zach Mihocek, Elijah Miliado and Sonny Beasy will test the Tigers.
Key players for the Woorinen Tigers include Angus Butterfield, Lachlan Gardner in the ruck, Robbie Miller and Robert Rush.
Key targets in attack are Danko Bzenic, Doug Beames and Will Collicoat.
Tooleybuc Manangatang is on home turf at Tooleybuc to take on Balranald.
The Saints have a 1-5 record but played well to finish within two goals of Tyntynder last round.
Best for the Saints in that match were Jaicob Kenny, Jack Mazzarella, Rory Alexander and John Wardle.
Tooleybuc Manangatang will also look for big games from the likes of Josh Williams in the ruck, Ethan Goldfinch in the centre, and rover Preyben Tipiloura.
A 5-1 record has Balranald in second place on the ladder.
The Kangaroos beat Swan Hill by 34 points at Balranald last Saturday as Jaxon Neagle, Jordan Wilkins, Matt Neagle and Ryan Middlebrook were best.
A talented line-up from Balranald includes Rory Fitzgerald, Ethan Gant, Drew Lloyd and Harrison Soraggi.
Mallee Eagles take on Tyntynder at Lalbert.
The Eagles had Brett Thomas, Zac O’Meara and , Darcy McGregor play well in the round seven clash at Cohuna.
Mallee also has Angus McKenzie in the ruck, Billy O’Meara on a wing, Beau Bennett and Ayden Tessari.
Tyntynder will be eyeing a great chance to chalk up consecutive wins.
Roy George, Matt Gilbee and Wilhelm Hawkins were among the best in the 63-51 win against the Saints from Tooleybuc Manangatang.
Jason Eagle is the key target in a Bulldogs’ attack that includes Matt Corney, Justin Ellis and Josh Stone.
Kerang is back at Riverside Park to take on Koondrook Barham.
The Troy Coates-coached Kerang had to work hard for a 57-50 win at Woorinen as Josh Nitschke, Sam Heavyside, Sam Nitschke and Jake Daglish were best.
A formidable Kerang line-up includes Martin Kelly on a wing, ruck-rover Josh Hann, Michael Dalrymple at centre half-forward, and Nic Pay in defence.
Koondrook Barham was beaten 39-98 at home by Lake Boga.
The River Raiders will look to Tom Amor, Eli Boyd, Domenico Cirillo and captain Patrick Goble to show the way in terms of pressure and making the most of possessions.
Other key players for Koondrook Barham include Mitch Christensen, Colin McVeigh and Harley Burmeister-Lyons.
Lake Boga has the bye.
Standings in the Central Murray FNL senior footy competition backed by Radio 3SH:
Kerang 221 per cent, 28 points; Balranald 177, 20; Woorinen 206, 16; Lake Boga 107, 16; Cohuna 104, 16; Nyah Nyah West United 129, 12; Swan Hill 97, 12; Tyntynder 84, 8; Tooleybuc Manangatang 77, 4; Mallee Eagles 60, 4; Koondrook Barham 24, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
27 Josh Williams, Tooleybuc Manangatang.
20 Rhys Free, Cohuna.
16 Will Collicoat, Woorinen.
15 David Gourdis, Lake Boga.
14 Ben Fuller, Balranald.
14 Bradlee Pay, Kerang.
13 Doug Beames, Woorinen.
13 Danko Bzenic, Woorinen.
12 Charlie Boulton, Nyah Nyah West United.
12 Jack Donat, Cohuna.
12 Michael Runciman, Kerang.
11 Troy Coates, Kerang.
11 Drew Lloyd, Balranald.
11 Brent Macleod, Mallee Eagles.
10 Jose Miliado, Swan Hill.
10 Jydon Neagle, Balranald.
9 Michael Dalrymple, Kerang.
9 Paul Davis, Mallee Eagles.
9 Jason Eagle, Tyntynder.
9 Hayden Hall, Kerang.
8 Luke Conca, Cohuna.
8 Jarrod Findlay, Cohuna.
8 Roy George, Tyntynder.
8 Adam Hunter, Kerang.
8 Zach Mihocek, Swan Hill.
8 Jacob O’Meara, Mallee Eagles.