THE senior footy showdown between Cohuna and Mallee highlights Saturday’s qualifying finals in the Radio 3SH-backed Central Murray league.
Players and fans of Cohuna Kangas and Mallee Eagles will make their way to Woorinen Recreation Reserve.
The senior clash will start at 2.30pm.
When these teams last met it was the Jack Geary-coached Cohuna which won 51-47 on the Kangas’ ground.
The round five clash at Lalbert ended in an 81-51 victory for the Brent Macleod and Harry Allen-coached Eagles.
A 14-2 record meant Cohuna finished the home-and-away in second place behind Woorinen, 15-1.
The Eagles were perched on the third rung on a 13-3 record.
Line-ups have changed dramatically, but memories of last season’s finals defeats will spur the Kangas and Eagles.
Cohuna’s run in ’24 was ended in an 80-72 loss to Balranald in the elimination final.
Mallee made it all the way to a preliminary final where Nyah Nyah West United scored a three-goal victory against the Eagles.
Key match-ups for Cohuna in this qualifying final include Will Lee at full-back against Darcy Hourigan, Cooper McLoughlan opposed to Andrew Mead-Harding, and Jarrod Findlay at half-back against Brady Fordham.
The Kangas’ attack is led by Tyson Farrant, Sam Leitch and Corbin Anderson.
Mallee’s defence includes Clinton Cummins, Harry and Tom McGregor.
A major strength of the Cohuna line-up is an on-ball division of ruckman Chris Anderson, ruck-rover Tom Toma and rover Ricky Monti.
Huge challenge for Zac O’Meara, Harry Allen and Matthew Rankine to limit the impact Cohuna’s guns have on the contest.
On Sunday it’s Nyah Nyah West United in an elimination final against Koondrook Barham at Swan Hill Recreation Reserve.
The match will start at 2.30pm.
In pursuit of back-to-back premierships, Nyah Nyah West United ended the home-and-away series in fourth place on an 11-5 record.
Koondrook Barham’s big win and Tooleybuc Manangatang’s big loss in the final round meant the River Raiders jumped to the fifth rung.
Back in round two it was the Marcus Demaria-coached Koondrook Barham which scored an 83-74 win against the NNWU Demons in Barham.
The round 15 showdown at Nyah ended in a 91-76 win for the Demons.
Key players for Nyah Nyah West United include ruck-rover Jordan Iudica, Nick O’Neill, Joel Walsh in the centre, Brayden Bigham and Charlie Boulton in attack.
The Demons have co-coach Corey Daniels in a forward pocket, and co-coach Jason Murphy on the sidelines.
Koondrook Barham will look for big games from the likes of Benji Neal, Jack Thrum, Patrick Goble, Roy George, Matt Bilton, Isaac Corvo and Reagan Hamilton to ensure their season rolls past Saturday.
Schedule for Saturday’s qualifying finals at Woorinen:
Mildura Health Fund under-15s at 9am: Kerang v Mallee Eagles.
Under-18s at 10.20am: Swan Hill v Balranald.
Reserves at 12.25pm: Koondrook Barham v Mallee Eagles.
3SH seniors at 2.30pm: Cohuna Kangas v Mallee Eagles.
Schedule for Sunday’s elimination finals at Swan Hill Recreation Reserve:
Mildura Health Fund under-15s at 9am: Koondrook Barham v Tyntynder.
Under-18s at 10.20am: Koondrook Barham v Cohuna Kangas.
Reserves at 12.25pm: Lake Boga v Nyah Nyah West United.
3SH seniors at 2.30pm: Nyah Nyah West United v Koondrook Barham.