BY NATHAN DOLE
THERE will be nine clubs represented across this weekend’s qualifying and elimination finals in the Central Murray FNL footy action.
The series kicks off with Saturday’s qualifying finals at Lalbert.
In the Radio 3SH-backed seniors its Balranald against Woorinen from 2.30pm.
This season’s meetings have won been won by the Balranald Kangaroos.
In round three, Balranald won 77-61 on the Roos’ ground at Greenham Park.
The 14th round match on Woorinen’s turf ended in a 70-30 victory for the Roos.
A talented line-up for Balranald includes Ben Fuller, Drew Lloyd and Jydon Neagle in attack; Colin Andrews in the centre; Jaxon Neagle and Toby Lay in defence.
Other key players for the Roos are Matt Neagle, Ethan Gant and Nathan Ablett.
Woorinen will need big games from the likes of Doug Beames, Danko Bzenic, Taylor Cameron, Dylan Godwin and Henry Thompson.
The Tigers’ squad includes Ben Booth, Thomas Isma, Lachlan Gardner and Robert Rush.
Unbeaten reigning premier Kerang will meet the Kangaroos or Tigers in the second semi-final on September 9 at Balranald’s Greenham Park.
On Sunday, Lake Boga tackles Nyah Nyah West United in the seniors elimination final from 2.30pm at Swan Hill Recreation Resreve.
A point separated these teams when Lake Boga won, 65-64 at home in the second round.
In the 12th round the Nyah Nyah West United Demons fired up for a 108-61 victory against the Magpies at Nyah.
Hassan Ahmat-Watkins who has starred in the Northern Territory kicked three goals as Riley and Corey Daniels booted three and four majors.
Best for the Demons were Kayne Davidson, Joel Walsh, Riley Daniels and Ethan Saville.
Ninth in 2022 on a win-loss tally of 3-12 and a draw, NNW United has worked incredibly hard to reach an elimination final.
The Demons will be determined the run does not end on Sunday.
Nyah Nyah West United’s team for the elimination final includes Charlie Boulton, Jarrod Stokes, Matt Gibbs and Joel Campbell.
Big test for the Demons against a Lake Boga line-up that has David Gourdis, Lochie Laing and Jayden Lonergan in attack.
Other key players for the Magpies are rover Lincoln Sieben, Matt Taverna and Tyle Williams.
Lake Boga also has former Essendon and Port Adelaide forward/mid Angus Monfries on a half-back flank.
In the reserves competition, Woorinen takes on Nyah Nyah West United in Saturday’s qualifying final from 12.25pm.
In round 11, Woorinen beat the Demons by three goals in Tigers’ territory.
The winner of Saturday’s match play Kerang in the second semi.
Lake Boga meets Mallee Eagles in Sunday’s elimination final at 12.25pm.
These teams met in the opening round where Lake Boga won 32-20 at Lalbert.
In the 13th round, the Eagles soared to a 38-26 victory at Lake Boga Sports Club.
It’s a showdown between Kerang and Lake Boga in the Colts qualifying final at 10.20am.
Only meeting in the home and away series was in the ninth round where Kerang won 69-36 in the Magpies’ nest at Lake Boga.
The Blues or Magpies will then meet Woorinen in the second semi.
Sunday’s elimination final features Swan Hill and Koondrook Barham from 10.20am.
A great contest in the ninth round ended in a 41-36 win for Koondrook Barham at Barham.
The finals series kicks off at 9am on Saturday when Tooleybuc Manangatang takes on Kerang in the qualifying final of the Mildura Health Fund-backed under-14 ½ competition.
The Saints and Blues clashed in round one at Tooleybuc where the home team marked a 53-10 victory.
In the 13th round, Kerang won 57-46 on its turf at Riverside Park.
Lake Boga has advanced to a second semi-final.
On Sunday it will be Nyah Nyah West United and Swan Hill striving to stay in the premiership race when they contest the elimination final from 9am.
Both of this season’s meetings between the Demons and Swans went the way of the NWU United line-up.
The Demons won 51-38 at Swan Hill in the fourth round.
Latest showdown ended in a 45-31 victory for the Demons in their den at Nyah.