BY NATHAN DOLE
Murrabit chases rare feat of back-to-back wins
FOR just the third time this Golden Rivers FNL season, Murrabit will chase back-to-back wins.
The Blues go into this Saturday’s home game against Ultima following Murrabit’s two-goal win at Macorna last round.
Will be a massive task for the Blues to take the points against the second-placed Kangaroos as teams mark the 13th round.
When the Blues and Kangaroos met in round eight it was Ultima which scored a 96-52 victory on Murrabit’s turf.
Best in Murrabit’s third win of the season were Pras Sayakhot, Ben Gillingham, Archer McKnight and Austin McKerrow.
The Blues’ team for Saturday’s showdown includes Nathan O’Toole in the centre, Tom Copland in the ruck, Dean Harrop, Jack Shannahan and Jordan Lampi in attack.
Massive test for Murrabit defenders Michael Grant, Patrick Heenan, Patrick Bryan and Josh Bray against Lincoln Frost, Jye Purtill, Ed Kuchel and Ricky Wild.
A 10-2 record has Ultima in second place and in a strong position to challenge for the premiership.
The Ultima team includes Cameron Johnson in the centre, Sam Coffey and Mitchell Seton-Stewart on the wings, Matt Taverna in the ruck, and Jake Foster roving the packs.
The Hay Lions will be back in their den to play Macorna.
Unbeaten in its pursuit of back-to-back premierships, Hay has plenty of ball winners and attacking options.
Most recent duel between the Lions and Tigers went Hay’s way by 170 points.
A formidable line-up representing Hay includes Jack Cattanach in the centre, James Moran in the ruck, Kenneth Jubb and Declan Watson in attack, and Bentley Murphy and Cooper Scott across midfield.
Macorna will have to work hard to beat a defence led by Brad Pocock, James Eddy and Nathan Wilson.
Key players for the Tigers include Lachlan Ritchie at centre half-forward, centreman Fergus Bear, ruck-rover Toby Whinfield, Cooper Lacy and Will Canham in defence.
The yellow and black also has Toby Whinfield, Josh Berryman and Malcolm Neiwand to take on the Lions.
Moulamein tackles Wandella on the Swans’ deck at Moulamein Recreation Reserve.
The Swans were held to a goal at Hay last round as the Bombers went down to Ultima by six goals.
When Wandella and Moulamein met in round eight it was the Bombers who fought on for 93-75 victory.
Key players for the Swans include Ely Miller, Heath Moloney, Will Gibson, Morgan Turvey, Hunter Hartland and Kayley Hartley.
A big season for talented teen Caleb Scandolera has included five senior matches, four in the reserves, and 11 in the under-17 ½ competition.
Huge plus for Wandella is the return of key forward Justin Robinson who has not played since the round seven clash with Ultima.
The Bombers line-up for this week includes Nathan Boysen, Archer and Ryan Lancaster, Tim Robinson, Tanner Treacy, and Adam McKenzie.
Golden Rivers senior footy ladder:
Hay 344 per cent, 48 points; Ultima 219, 40; Wandella 81, 20; Macorna 72, 20; Murrabit 53, 12; Moulamein 50, 4.
Leading goalkickers:
40 Declan Watson, Hay.
37 Ryan Devereux, Ultima.
26 Kenneth Jubb, Hay.
20 Justin Robinson, Wandella.
20 William Collis, Hay.
19 Tristan McIntosh, Macorna.
18 Jack Cattanach, Hay.
17 Jack Shannahan, Murrabit.
16 Ely Miller, Moulamein.
15 Logan Keighran, Wandella.
15 Heath Moloney, Moulamein.
15 Michael Rowe, Wandella.
14 Patrick Bryan, Murrabit.
14 Jensen Hargreaves, Hay.
13 Hunter Hartland, Moulamein.
13 Adam Ward, Wandella.
13 Ricky Wild, Ultima.
12 Jake Foster, Ultima.
12 Lincoln Frost, Ultima.
12 Jim Houlston, Hay.
12 Matt Taverna, Ultima.
12 Jacob Watson, Hay.
10 Angus Gardiner, Hay.
10 Malcolm Neiwand, Macorna.
10 Xavier Wishart, Macorna.