BY NATHAN DOLE
Wandella tries to tame Hay Lions
WANDELLA will try to tame the Hay Lions in Saturday’s fifth round of senior footy action in the Golden Rivers season.
The Bombers from Wandella have played great footy in recent weeks to soar to the third rung on the ladder.
A quest for a winning hat-trick will be tested on Hay’s turf from 2.25pm.
Hay won a hard-fought contest with Ultima in last Saturday’s wet conditions to be a win clear at the top of the ladder.
Joel Crocker, Jacob Watson and Jack Cattanach were best as the Lions clawed their way to a 40-23 victory against the Kangaroos.
A talented line-up for Hay in its pursuit of back-to-back premierships includes Hugh Crighton, Kenneth Jubb, James Moran, Brad Pocock and Cooper Scott.
Wandella marked its trip to Murrabit by claiming the premiership points in a 94-45 result.
Justin Robinson and Kaine O’Connell led the Bombers’ attack on four and three goals.
In-form players for the red and black include Nathan Boysen, John Cooper, Adam McKenzie, Jack Radcliffe, Tim Robinson and Jarred Schlitz.
Co-coach Adam Ward also adds plenty of skill and premiership-winning experience from his time with Marong.
It’s fourth against second as Macorna hosts Ultima.
The Macorna Tigers played well to win their latest clash with Moulamein by 41 points.
Pressure on the yellow and black will be much higher as the Ultima Kangaroos work to rebound from their first defeat of the season.
Best in Macorna’s second win of the season were Sam Whinfield, Oscar Don in the centre, and Fergus Bear at half-back.
The Tigers’ squad includes ruckman Reegan O’Rourke, Josh Berryman at full-back, Lachlan Ritchie and Will Meharry in attack, Xavier Wishart and Travis Mercadante in defence.
The consistent Matt Taverna was best in Ultima’s clash at Hay, along with Jayden Kiel and Kyle Symons.
Expect big games from the likes of captain Jake Foster, vice-captain Thomas Bull, Sam Coffey, Ryan Devereux and Ryan Featherby for the Kangaroos.
Moulamein could end its winless run, or Murrabit mark its second when they clash at Moulamein Recreation Reserve.
Best in Moulamein’s match against Macorna were Rodney Reeves, Mark Drotsky and co-captain Morgan Turvey.
The Swans’ line-up to play the Blues includes co-captain Will Gibson, Kaylem Hartley, Andrew May, Ely Miller and Cody Storm.
Murrabit’s best against Wandella were Jacob Wade, Jack Shannahan and Nathan O’Toole.
The Blues’ squad includes Patrick Bryan, Sam and Tom Copland, Jack Keath, Jordan Lampi and captain Ben Gillingham.
Golden Rivers FNL senior footy ladder:
Hay 271 per cent, 16 points; Ultima 240, 12; Wandella 104, 8; Macorna 92, 8; Murrabit 51, 4; Moulamein 36, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
17 Justin Robinson, Wandella.
12 Tristan McIntosh, Macorna.
11 Declan Watson, Hay.
10 Ryan Devereux, Ultima.
10 Adam Ward, Wandella.
9 Jack Cattanach, Hay.
7 Lincoln Frost, Ultima.
6 Ely Miller, Moulamein.
6 Jack Shannahan, Murrabit.
5 Hunter Anset, Macorna.
5 William Collis, Hay.
5 Jim Houston, Hay.
5 Nathan O’Toole, Murrabit.
5 Josh Walters, Macorna.
5 Ricky Wild, Ultima.