-By Nathan Dole
MALLEE Eagles will be aiming to break Cohuna’s unbeaten streak when they meet in Saturday’s fifth round of the Radio 3SH-backed senior footy in the Central Murray league.
It’s third against second as Mallee and Cohuna clash at Lalbert from 2.30pm.
The Brent Macleod and Harry Allen-coached Eagles are on the rebound from a 17-point loss at Woorinen.
Cohuna’s hot run rolled on in a 108-59 victory at home against Nyah Nyah West United.
Pressure will be on Mallee on-ballers Cameron Cook, Harry Allen, Darcy McGregor and Brent Macleod against Chris Anderson, Tom Toma, Ricky Monti and Joel Helman.
In attack the Eagles have Jacob O’Meara, Darcy Hourigan and Andrew Mead-Harding as key targets opposed to Sam Leitch, Will Lee and Cooper McLoughlan.
Huge challenge for a Mallee defence led by Tom McGregor, Isaiah Bull, Jayden Post and Clinton Cummins against Brodie Fry, Jude Palmer, Corbin Anderson and Riley Hird.
The Jack Geary-coached Kangas also have the run and skill of Jarrod Findlay, Jayden Cordy and Sam McGlone.
The ladder-leading Woorinen makes its way to Kerang’s Riverside Park for the clash between first and fifth.
The Paul Grayling-coached Kerang has fought back from consecutive defeats to start the season by winning its past two matches against Swan Hill and Koondrook Barham.
Massive test for the Blues this round against the Tigers.
Key players for Kerang include Archer Dibsdale and Tyson Clingan in defence, Rylee Gitsham in the ruck, Dominic Dick-O’Flaherty on a wing, and Bohden, Ethan and Flynn McKnight in attack.
The Tim Free-coached Woorinen marked a 17-point win against Mallee last round as captain Henry Thompson, Jose Miliado, Lachlan Gardner and Blake Reid were best.
Players to watch in the yellow and black include rover Jye Barry, Doug Beames, Will Collicoat and Robert Rush.
Lake Boga and Koondrook Barham clash in the Magpies’ nest at Lake Boga.
A two-one record has the Dean Helmers-coached Magpies perched on the ladder’s fourth rung.
Lake Boga marked a 45-point win at Swan Hill last Saturday as Nathaniel Holmes-Brown, Braden Padmore, Darby Hayes and Jayden Lonergan were best.
This week’s team representing Lake Boga includes Dylan McCosh and Zac Warne in defence, Fraser and Rory Colville, Hunter Hartland and Nelson Ibbs.
Big roles for the Marcus Demaria-coached Koondrook Barham will be played by Matt Bilton at half-forward, Benji Neal in the centre, Jack Thrum and Jack Shannon across the half-back line, and rover Lee Dale.
In eighth place after last year’s premiership victory, Nyah Nyah West United will be desperate for victory at home against Balranald.
As the Demons confidence has dipped, Balranald’s has risen after the Roos marked their first win of the season last round.
Key players for the Corey Daniels and Jason Murphy-coached NNWU Demons include Nick O’Neill, Joel Campbell and captain Joel Walsh, ruck-rover Brayden Bigham, Alex Birch, Charlie Boulton and Riley Daniels.
Balranald’s best in a hard-fought win at home in Greenham Park against Tyntynder were Brad Hartman, captain Ryan Middlebrook, Cody Henness and Lachlan Collihole.
A Kangaroos’ line-up jointly coached by Ben Fuller, Ben Mahon and Jack Salau includes Roarke Smith, Jack and Tom Salau, Ian Fuller and Jarryd Stead.
Tooleybuc Manangatang faces Swan Hill at Tooleybuc.
The Brad Morris-coached Saints had the bye after a 57-point win at Lake Boga in round three.
Connor Nutting leads the Tooleybuc Manangatang attack on 18 goals.
Other key players for the Saints include ruckman Connor McDonald, Josh Williams, Lochlan Prentice and Blake Grant.
Tooleybuc Manangatang also has Rydar Morris at half-back and Jedd Morris in a forward pocket.
The Michael Herlihy-coached Swan Hill will be determined to break its season ‘duck’.
Best for the Swans in last Saturday’s showdown with the Magpies from Lake Boga were Harry Scott, Cooper Angus, Lane Cardenas and Tom Holdstock.
Swan Hill’s team bound for Tooleybuc includes captain Luke Phelan, Kallen Heslop, Sunny Handy, Will Simpson and Darcy Uebergang.
Tyntynder has the bye.
Central Murray FNL senior footy ladder:
Woorinen 183 per cent, 16 points; Cohuna Kangas 441, 12; Mallee Eagles 261, 12; Lake Boga 113, 8; Kerang 96, 8; Tooleybuc Manangatang 82, 8; Koondrook Barham 73, 8; Nyah Nyah West United 93, 4; Balranald 31, 4; Tyntynder 53, 0; Swan Hill 39, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
18 Connor Nutting, Tooleybuc Manangatang.
13 Andrew Mead-Harding, Mallee Eagles.
13 Hugh Thompson, Woorinen.
12 Brent Macleod, Mallee Eagles.
12 Matt Perry, Woorinen.
10 Corbin Anderson, Cohuna Kangas.
10 Ethan McKnight, Kerang.
10 Braden Padmore, Lake Boga.
9 Tom Toma, Cohuna Kangas.
8 Daniel Coates, Cohuna Kangas.
8 Darcy Hourigan, Mallee Eagles.
8 Jordan McNeil, Kerang.
8 Jacob O’Meara, Mallee Eagles.
7 Matt Bilton, Koondrook Barham.
7 Nathaniel Holmes-Brown, Lake Boga.
7 Jayden Lonergan, Lake Boga.
7 Ethan Pinchen, Mallee Eagles.
6 Harry Allen, Mallee Eagles.
6 Kye Attwell, Koondrook Barham.
6 Doug Beames, Woorinen.
6 Ben Fuller, Balranald.
6 Joel Helman, Cohuna Kangas.
6 Michael Herlihy, Swan Hill.
6 Jacob Mitchell, Cohuna Kangas.
6 Nick O’Neill, Nyah Nyah West United.