BY NATHAN DOLE
Top teams clash in Lions’ den at Hay
IT’S first against second as Hay hosts Ultima in this Saturday’s ninth round of senior footy action in the Golden Rivers season.
The showdown between the Lions and Roos kicks off at 2.25pm.
When these teams last met in round four it was Hay which marked a 40-23 victory on home turf.
The Lions are unbeaten in their pursuit of back-to-back premierships.
Among the key match-ups will be Hay co-captain Brad Pocock at centre half-back against Matt Taverna, and Lions’ co-captain Kenneth Jubb at centre half-forward opposed to Jamie Nicholas.
In the ruck contests Hay has James Moran to take on Quinn Grey.
A talented Lions attack includes Dean Aylett, Daniel Zambon and Angus Gardiner up against Mitch and Tyler Makepeace and Ryan Featherby.
Key targets in Ultima’s forward line include Lincoln Frost, Kade Benfield and Ricky Wild.
Hay’s defence is led by James Eddy, Nathan Wilson and Jayden Kinces.
Macorna will be at home to take on Moulamein.
In round four the Tigers won 93-52 on Moulamein’s turf.
A Macorna line-up that includes Malcolm Neiwand, Tristan McIntosh, Lachlan Ritchie, Travis Mercadante, Oscar Don and Josh Berryman will start favourite.
Moulamein will need big games from the likes of Ely Miller, Cody Storm, Heath Moloney, Rodney Reeves, Kaylem Hartley and Andrew May to take the points.
It’s the Blues against the Bombers as Murrabit hosts Wandella.
The Wandella line-up won the round four match at Murrabit by 49 points.
Best for Murrabit in last Saturday’s home game against Ultima were Sam Copland, Jack Shannahan, co-captain Nathan O’Toole and Tobie Cameron.
The Blues’ line-up for this week includes Jordan Lampi, co-captain Ben Gillingham, Tom Copland and Teeraphat Khongphueng.
Wandella will be eyeing its fifth win of the season.
Players to watch for the Bombers include Russell Rich, Tanner Treacy, Logan Keighran, Archer Lancaster, Darren Rushton and Laing Waddingham.
Wandella’s Justin Robinson and Adam Ward are on the sidelines for this contest.
Golden Rivers senior footy ladder:
Hay 362 per cent, 32 points; Ultima 230, 28; Wandella 85, 16; Macorna 71, 12; Murrabit 48.75, 4; Moulamein 48.72, 4.
Leading goalkickers:
29 Declan Watson, Hay.
24 Ryan Devereux, Ultima.
20 Justin Robinson, Wandella.
19 Tristan McIntosh, Macorna.
17 Kenneth Jubb, Hay.
16 William Collis, Hay.
14 Jack Cattanach, Hay.
13 Adam Ward, Wandella.
12 Jake Foster, Ultima.
12 Jack Shannahan, Murrabit.
10 Lincoln Frost, Ultima.
10 Hunter Hartland, Moulamein.
10 Logan Keighran, Wandella.
10 Ely Miller, Moulamein.
10 Ricky Wild, Ultima.
9 Heath Moloney, Moulamein.
8 Jensen Hargreaves, Hay.
8 Josh Walters, Macorna.
8 James White, Moulamein.