BY NATHAN DOLE
Eagles take on Tyntynder at Lalbert
THE clash between Mallee Eagles and Tyntynder highlights this Saturday’s round nine action in the Radio 3SH-backed senior footy competition across the Central Murray.
It’s sixth against fifth as the Eagles host the Bulldogs at Lalbert from 2.30pm.
The Jack O’Rourke-coached Tyntynder starts the game just two premiership points in front of the Mallee line-up.
Five matches will be played this Saturday following the stand-alone game played between Tyntynder and Swan Hill on the King’s Birthday holiday weekend.
A great match between the Bulldogs and Swans went Tyntynder’s way by a goal.
Huge test for Tyntynder against an Eagles line-up which marked an 88-83 win at Balranald’s Greenham Park in round eight.
The Brent Macleod-coached Mallee team to tackle the Bulldogs includes former Richmond player Jayden Post at centre half-back, and Darcy Hourigan, Brent Macleod and Andrew Mead-Harding in attack.
Other players to watch for the Eagles include Troy Anderson in the centre, captain Zac O’Meara on a wing, ruckman Jai Middleton, and Joe Halloran.
Tyntynder’s Roy George has had a great season in the centre and was best afield against Swan Hill.
Others to play well against the Swans included Patrick Blake, Jason Eagle and Jayden Magro.
The Bulldogs have Matt Gilbee in the ruck, Marcus Wattie to rove the contests, and a defence led by Elliot Broad, Andrew McDonald and Jordan Robbins.
Another big match will be at Cohuna where the Kangas take on Kerang.
The Jack Geary-coached Kangas start the round in eighth place and three wins adrift of Tyntynder.
Cohuna had the bye in round eight on a day where Kerang broke Nyah Nyah West United’s unbeaten streak.
The Kangas have the experience of Joel Helman in the centre, rover Jarrod Findlay, Will Lee at full back, Brenton Conforti and Ryan Semmel.
Huge test for ruckman Chris Anderson against Nick Lang.
The Troy Coates-coached Kerang played its best match of the season against the NNWU Demons.
Best in that match were ruck-rover Josh Nitschke, rover Martin Kelly and centreman Josh Hann.
The Blues team bound for Cohuna includes Archer Dibsdale, Rylee Gitsham, Cody Makeham, Josh and Sean Hunter.
Nyah Nyah West United will aim to bounce back from its first defeat when it plays Lake Boga at Nyah.
The Demons will be without Brayden Bigham and Riley Daniels who were both handed four-match bans for rough conduct against Kerang.
An NNWU line-up jointly coached by Jason Murphy and Nick O’Neill should take the points against the Magpies.
Key players for the Demons include full-forward Brandyn Grenfell, Jordan and Lucas Iudica, Charlie Boulton, Nic Threadgold and Joel Walsh.
Massive test for the Dean Helmers-coached Lake Boga to build on the momentum from its round eight win against Swan Hill.
The Magpies line-up to take on NNWU includes David Gourdis, Ryan Fox, Zac Warne, Marty Parsons, William Doquile, Aaron and Jayden Lonergan.
Swan Hill is at home to play Balranald.
Former Essendon player Michael Hurley kicked seven goals in the Swans clash with Tyntynder, but was not named for this match.
The Swans will look to Sonny Beasy, Ned McKeown and Toby Thoolen to capitalise on attacking moves.
Big challenge for Swan Hill ruckman Matt Pearse, coach Michael Herlihy and Eliajah Miliado in the on-ball duels with Jordan Wilkins, Matt Neagle and Harrison Soraggi.
A powerful forward line from Balranald includes coach Jydon Neagle, Colin Andrews, Lachlan Lellman and Drew Lloyd.
The Swans will need strong defensive games from the likes of Hamish Robertson, Thomas Corridan, Anthony Lewin and Lachlan Joyce.
Balranald also has the running power of Kobe Lloyd, Ian Fuller, Mason Fitzgerald and Jack Salau.
At Tooleybuc it will be Tooleybuc Manangatang aiming to return to the winners’ list against Koondrook Barham.
The Brad Morris-coached Saints were held to a tally of 2.11 in the round eight match against Tyntynder at Swan Hill’s Alan Garden Reserve.
Although it will start favourite, Tooleybuc Manangatang will be wary of an opponent which finished within three points of Balranald in the fifth round.
The Saints line-up for this round includes Johnathan Marsden and Josh Williams in attack, Connor McDonald in the ruck, Rydar Morris on a wing, Ben Arentz and Ryan Domaille in defence.
A Koondrook Barham team coached by Will Callow has played some strong quarters and been overhwhelmed in others.
The play of Mitch Christensen, Scott Wood, Jack Thrum, Jack Shannon, Reagan Hamilton and Kye Attwell is likely to have a major bearing on the River Raiders claiming their first win of the season.
Woorinen has the bye.
Central Murray senior footy ladder:
Nyah Nyah West United 142 per cent, 24 points; Woorinen 135, 24; Kerang 152, 22; Balranald 132, 20; Tyntynder 104, 20; Mallee Eagles 106, 18; Tooleybuc Manangatang 99, 16; Cohuna Kangas 97, 8; Lake Boga 61, 8; Swan Hill 67, 0; Koondrook Barham 49, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
32 Brandyn Grenfell, Nyah Nyah West United.
26 Darcy Hourigan, Mallee Eagles.
21 Drew Lloyd, Balranald.
19 Jason Eagle, Tyntynder.
18 Colin Andrews, Balranald.
17 Lachlan Gardner, Woorinen.
16 Josh Williams, Tooleybuc Manangatang.
14 Jydon Neagle, Balranald.
14 Matt Neagle, Balranald.
13 Izaac Johnson, Cohuna Kangas.
13 Jayden Magro, Tyntynder.
12 Charlie Boulton, Nyah Nyah West United.
12 Roy George, Tyntynder.
12 Joel Helman, Cohuna Kangas.
12 Arnold Kirby, Woorinen.
12 Andrew Mead-Harding, Mallee Eagles.
12 Connor Nutting, Tooleybuc Manangatang.
12 Nic O’Neill, Nyah Nyah West United.
11 Michael Herlihy, Swan Hill.
11 Clayton McCartney, Woorinen.
11 Jordan McNeil, Kerang.
10 Archer Dibsdale, Kerang.
10 Dylan Johnstone, Cohuna Kangas.
10 Lachlan Lellman, Balranald.
10 Toby Thoolen, Swan Hill.
9 David Gourdis, Lake Boga.
9 Johnathan Marsden, Tooleybuc Manangatang.
8 Will Collicoat, Woorinen.
8 Kai Kearns, Tooleybuc Manangatang.
8 Ned McKeown, Swan Hill.
8 Luke Phelan, Swan Hill.
8 Liam White, Nyah Nyah West United.
7 Kye Attwell, Koondrook Barham.
7 Michael Hurley, Swan Hill.
7 Brad Pay, Kerang.
7 Jayden Post, Mallee Eagles.
7 Koben Ryan, Lake Boga.
7 Josh Stone, Woorinen.
7 Marcus Wattie, Tyntynder.