THE Saints from Tooleybuc Manangatang tackle the Demons from Nyah Nyah West United in this Saturday’s second round in the Radio 3SH-backed Central Murray senior footy season.
It’s third against fourth on Tooleybuc’s turf from 2.30pm.
Both teams made confident starts to the ’26 campaign.
The Robbie McComb and Nayef Hamad-coached Tooleybuc Manangatang marked an 88-point win against Tyntynder in the first round.
At Nyah the Corey Daniels-coached Demons beat reigning premier Woorinen by 56 points.
Key match-ups for the Saints include Robbie McComb in the centre against Ethan Saville, John Wardle at full-back against Corey Daniels, Ben Arentz at centre half-forward opposed to Joel Walsh.
The Saints will also look to Josh Chatfield, Rydar Morris, ruckman Xavier Brenton-Reed, Luke Mccomb, Jack Mazzarella, and Connor Hazlett to lead the way.
The Demons have ruckman Blake Larkings to team up with Jordan Johnston and Scott Carlin.
Other players to watch for NNWU include captain Dominic Gallo, Charlie Boulton, Riley Daniels, Brayden Bigham and Nash Richman.
Stung by the first-round defeat, Woorinen is back on its turf to play Mallee Eagles.
The Tim Free-coached Woorinen will be desperate to avoid a nil-two start.
Will not be an easy task for the yellow and black against the Eagles who soared to a 125-point win on their turf in Lalbert against Balranald.
Key players for Woorinen include ruckman Lachlan Gardner, Lachlan Warburton in the centre, Ben Booth and Oscar Lewis in defence, Jose Miliado and Will Collicoat in attack.
The Eagles recruited top ruckman Hamish Hosking who previously played for Birchip-Watchem and Sandhurst.
Mallee coach Harry Allen was named as rover and will team up with Darcy McGregor and Cody Henness at centre ball-ups.
A talented attack for the Eagles includes Darcy Hourigan, Jacob O’Meara and Toby Sheahan.
In midfield the Eagles have Shaun Harrison and Clem Miller on the wings.
Cohuna Kangas will be on their turf against Kerang.
The Jack Geary-coached Cohuna was beaten by two points at Lake Boga last Saturday as Kerang kicked on for a 16-goal win at Riverside Park against Wandella.
Cohuna has plenty of run and skill through Tom Toma, Sam McGlone, Jack Geary and Naite Hoskin.
The Kangas’ attack will be led by Mitch Treacy, Lachlan English and Daniel Coates.
Much bigger test for the Brad Pay-coached Kerang this time.
Key players for the Blues include Zac Bozanich and Ian Fisher in attack, Rylee Gitsham and Tom Hetherington in defence, Scott Pay in the ruck, and Tyson Clingan as rover.
Tyntynder takes on Ultima at Swan Hill’s Alan Garden Reserve.
The Darcy Bibby-coached Tyntynder was outplayed in Tooleybuc last Saturday.
Ultima had a rest after a 57-point loss to Swan Hill in the round zero clash played on March 28.
Crucial match-ups for the Bulldogs from Tyntynder include Hugh Broad at full-back against Andrew Dean, Cayden Crowe in the centre against Jake Foster, and Josh Potter rucking against Jye Purtill.
Tyntynder’s team includes Angus and Patrick Crowe, Mick Dedini, Jahmahl Jenkins-Clive, and Elia Ware.
The Joel Donnan-coached Ultima has Matt Taverna and Lincoln Frost to lead the defence, Thomas Bull and Corey Grey on the wings, and Mitch Seton-Stewart and Kyle Symons across half-forward.
It’s the Blues against the Swans as Murrabit hosts Swan Hill.
The Rick Ladson and Jack Shannahan-coached Murrabit was outplayed at Moulamein in round one.
Swan Hill kicked off the season by winning the round zero match against Ultima.
The Blues’ line-up includes Wade Minter in the centre, Ben Gillingham and Adam Thomson in attack, Sam Copland roving, Matt Moon and Ryan Smyth in defence.
Gun recruit Patrick Veszpremi will play his first match for Swan Hill after crossing from Nyah Nyah West United.
The Jason Murphy-coached Swans have Xavier Moloney and Harrison Gadsden across the half-forward line, Bodhi Kelly on a wing, Matt Gilbee and Lane Cardenas in defence.
Ruckman Buol Majur will team up with co-captains Tom Holdstock and Cooper Angus.
Balranald will be on home turf at Greenham Park against Lake Boga.
Big test for the Brent Macleod-coached Balranald as the Magpies upset Cohuna in round one.
Balranald’s line-up includes Ben and Ian Fuller, Jake Lockhart, Ryan Middlebrook, Jack Salau, and Tyrone Wickey.
The Dean Helmers-coached Lake Boga will be determined to play at the same or higher level of intensity as it did against Cohuna.
Players to watch for the Magpies include Patrick Bryan, Ryan Fox, Jayden Lonergan, Braden Padmore, Marty Parsons, and Noah Sherlock.
Hay and Moulamein meet in the Lions’ den at Hay Recreation Reserve.
It’s been a one-one start for Hay which beat Tyntynder in round zero and was then beaten by Koondrook Barham in last Saturday’s clash in Barham by 28 points.
Key players for the Mick Cattanach and James Moran-coached Hay include Dean Aylett, Fergus Cattanach, Dylan and William Collis, Joel Crocker, and Declan and Jacob Watson.
Moulamein teamed superbly for a 71-point win at home against Murrabit last Saturday.
The Brodie Tonkin and Hayden Dalitz-coached Swans have Heath Moloney in the ruck, Trae Atkinson roving, Jack Jones at half-back, Ely Miller and Kaleb Richards on the wings, and Tobie Richardson and Adam Saunders in attack.
At Wandella the Bombers will host Koondrook Barham.
The Justin Robinson-coached Wandella was beaten by 96 points at Kerang’s Riverside Park.
Koondrook Barham will go in as favourites following its win against Hay.
Wandella’s team includes Nathan Boysen in the centre, Logan Keighran and Jarred Schlitz in defence, Seth Rowe and Laing Waddingham in attack.
In the on-ball duels the Bombers have Darcy Ramage, Justin Robinson and Archer Lancaster to take on Liam Read, Cameron Anderson and Will Lake.
The Marcus Demaria-coached Koondrook Barham has Kye Attwell, Patrick Goble and Nathan O’Toole as targets in the forward 50m arc.
Harry Bremner, Ryan Bassett and Jack Thrum are capable of winning many contests.
Central Murray FNL senior footy ladder:
Mallee Eagles 992 per cent, 4 points; Kerang 740, 4; Tooleybuc Manangatang 314, 4; Nyah Nyah West United 221, 4; Moulamein 194, 4; Swan Hill 191, 4; Koondrook Barham 150, 4; Hay 121, 4; Lake Boga 103, 4; Cohuna Kangas 96, 0; Ultima 52, 0; Murrabit 51, 0; Woorinen 45, 0; Tyntynder 33, 0; Wandella 13, 0; Balranald 10, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
8 Zak Bozanich, K.
7 Declan Watson, H.
6 Adam Curry, Moula.; Andrew Dean, U.
5 Josh Chatfield, TM; Brett Kennedy, Moula.; Jacob O’Meara, ME.
4 Tom Banuelos, H; Leo Ellison, Murr.
3 Rory Atkins, SH; Shaun Harrison, ME; Jack Headon, H; Austin Hodge, TM; Darcy Hourigan, ME; Jordan Johnston, NNWU; Jose Miliado, W; Rydar Morris, TM; Tom Smith, SH; John Summerhayes, NNWU.
2 Kye Attwell, KB; Hugh Bremner, K; Dustin Burns, U; Charlie Boulton, NNWU; Sam Copland, Murra.; Lachlan English, CK; Harry Loughnan, H; Jayden Lonergan, LB; Robbie McComb, TM; Heath Moloney, Moula.; Xavier Moloney, SH; Luke Phelan, SH; Ethan Pinchen, ME; Tobie Richardson, Moula.; Beau Schwarze, NNWU; Adam Thomson, Murra.; Tom Toma, CK; Marcus Wattie, ME.