THE Nyah Nyah West United Demons will face Koondrook Barham in round 15 of Radio 3SH-backed Central Murray senior footy on Saturday.
It’s fourth against fifth in the Demons’ den at Nyah Recreation Reserve from 2.30pm.
The NNWU team jointly coached by Corey Daniels and Jason Murphy will be desperate to avoid a hat-trick of defeats.
Back in round two it was the Marcus Demaria-coached River Raiders from Koondrook Barham who beat the reigning premier by nine points.
Key match-ups this time include Demons’ defenders Joel Campbell, Mitch Grinham and Ben Shadbolt against Kye Attwell, Nathan O’Toole and Patrick Goble.
In attack the Demons have Nic O’Neill, Charlie Boulton and Riley Daniels.
The KB defence is led by Reagan Hamilton, Ryan Bassett and Jack Thrum.
Another highlight will be the duel between Jordan Iudica and Matt Bilton who joined the River Raiders from Carisbrook.
The league’s two mobs of Kangaroos from Balranald and Cohuna will play at Balranald’s Greenham Park.
Big test for Balranald which won its round 13 clash with Tyntynder by 13 points and then had a bye.
As Balranald rested, Cohuna beat Tyntynder by 76 points last Saturday.
Balranald on-ballers Cruz Jolliffe, Tanner Coulthard and Jack Salau face a huge task limiting the impact Cohuna guns Chris Anderson, Joel Helman and Ricky Monti have on this match.
In attack Balranald has Roarke Smith, co-coach Ben Fuller and Yodok Soille to take on Brodie Fry, Will Lee and Noah Hore.
A Balranald defence led by Jarryd Stead, Jack Helgeland and Daniel Bland will be up against Sam Leitch, Jude Palmer and Riley Hird.
The Balranald team also has Ben Mahon and Jack Salau as co-coaches.
A 10-2 record has the Jack Geary-coached Cohuna in third place in the premiership race.
Kerang will be on its turf at Riverside Park to face Tooleybuc Manangatang.
When they last met the Brad Morris-coached Tooleybuc Manangatang beat the Blues by 15 points in Tooleybuc.
The Paul Grayling-coached Kerang won last Saturday’s match on Swan Hill’s ground by 21 points.
A crucial match-up for the Blues will be Thomas Hetherington at full-back against Connor Nutting.
In the on-ball duels, Kerang has Jordan McNeil, Zak Bozanich and Cody Makeham to take on Connor Mcdonald, Josh Koster and Kallum Hazlett.
Players to watch for Kerang include Martin Kelly, Jordan Clingan, Archer Dibsdale and Flynn McKnight.
The Saints have Josh Williams, Rydar Morris, Ben Arentz and Elliot Chalmers capable of winning many contests.
Mallee Eagles take on Swan Hill at Lalbert.
The Brent Macleod and Harry Allen-coached Eagles will start hot favourites.
A strong attack for Mallee is led by Darcy Hourigan and Andrew Mead-Harding and includes the skilful Matthew Rankine and Brady Fordham.
Eagles’ on-ballers Cameron Cook, Harry Allen and Darcy McGregor have teamed superbly in a 10-2 run.
The Eagles’ line-up includes Isaiah Bull and Jayden Post in defence, and Beau Bennett and Brett Thomas on the wings.
It’s another huge challenge for the Michael Herlihy-coached Swans.
Key players for Swan Hill include captain Luke Phelan in the centre, Thomas Corridan and Anthony Lewin in defence, and on-ballers Tom Holdstock and Cooper Angus.
Tyntynder takes on the ladder-leading Woorinen at Swan Hill’s Alan Garden Reserve.
A goal for the Bulldogs will be to win a quarter or two and limit the damage when the Tigers are in control.
A Tyntynder squad jointly coached by Darcy Bibby, Justin Ellis and Charlie Ford includes Kyle Doran, Elia Ware, Coady Gorringe, Harry Simpson and Sam Tozer.
Been a brilliant run by the Tim Free-coached Woorinen to be on a 12-1 record.
The Tigers were superb in an 82-31 win against Nyah Nyah West United last Saturday.
Woorinen’s squad for this round includes Doug Beames, Will Collicoat, Xavia Elford, Jose Miliado, Kyle Skene and captain Henry Thompson.
Lake Boga has the bye.
Radio 3SH-backed Central Murray FNL senior footy ladder:
Woorinen 244 per cent, 48 points; Mallee Eagles 256, 40; Cohuna Kangas 229, 40; Nyah Nyah West United 130, 32; Koondrook Barham 107, 32; Tooleybuc Manangatang 97, 24; Lake Boga 73, 20; Kerang 71, 16; Balranald 47, 12; Tyntynder 54, 8; Swan Hill 38, 4.
Leading goalkickers:
46 Darcy Hourigan, Mallee Eagles.
33 Connor Nutting, Tooleybuc Manangatang.
32 Andrew Mead-Harding, Mallee Eagles.
30 Matt Perry, Woorinen.
29 Jacob Mitchell, Cohuna Kangas.
28 Kye Attwell, Koondrook Barham.
27 Brent Macleod, Mallee Eagles.
26 Doug Beames, Woorinen.
26 Ben Fuller, Balranald.
26 Tom Toma, Cohuna Kangas.
25 Zac Bozanich, Kerang.
25 Nathaniel Holmes-Brown, Lake Boga.
24 Kallen Heslop, Swan Hill.
23 Will Collicoat, Woorinen.
23 Joel Helman, Cohuna Kangas.
23 Braden Padmore, Lake Boga.
22 Patrick Goble, Koondrook Barham.
22 Jose Miliado, Woorinen.
22 Elia Ware, Tyntynder.
21 Corbin Anderson, Cohuna Kangas.
20 Corey Daniels, Nyah Nyah West United.
19 Isaac Franks, Tooleybuc Manangatang.
19 Jude Palmer, Cohuna Kangas.
19 Kyle Skene, Woorinen.
18 Hugh Thompson, Woorinen.
17 Jayden Lonergan, Lake Boga.
17 Nick O’Neill, Nyah Nyah West United.
17 Ethan Pinchen, Mallee Eagles.
16 Matthew Rankine, Mallee Eagles.
15 Rex Hickman, Lake Boga.
15 Ethan Johnstone, Tooleybuc Manangatang.
15 Josh Koster, Tooleybuc Manangatang.
15 Ricky Monti, Cohuna Kangas.
15 Lachlan Warburton, Woorinen.