-By Nathan Dole
IT’S first against third as Hay tackles Wandella in Saturday’s fourth round of senior footy in the Golden Rivers season.
The Bombers from Wandella make their way to the Lions’ den in Hay for a showdown which starts at 2.30pm.
Unbeaten and on top of the ladder, Hay will start favourite in this contest.
The Jason Aylett and James Moran-coached Lions won last Saturday’s rematch of the ’24 grand finalist at Ultima by 41 points.
The Lions’ charge was led by Brad Pocock, Jack Cattanach, Jack Headon and Joel Crocker.
Key match-ups for Hay against Wandella include James Moran in the ruck against Darcy Ramage, Dylan Collis in the centre against Justin Robinson, and Kenneth Jubb at full-back against Logan Keighran.
Wandella marked a hard-fought 15-point win at Murrabit last round.
In-form players for the red and black include Nathan Boysen, Archer Lancaster, Kane Timmins and Logan Tuohey.
The Justin Robinson-coached Wandella will look for big games from the likes of Laing Waddingham, Kaine O’Connell, Jack Radcliffe and Connor Carter.
Another big match will be at Moulamein where the Swans take on Murrabit.
Both teams are locked on one-two records, but Murrabit holds fourth place by percentage.
The Brodie Tonkin and Hayden Dalitz-coached Moulamein won last Saturday’s match at Macorna by 31 points.
Key players for the Swans include captain Xander Hartland, Morgan Turvey, Heath Moloney, Nathan Buckley, William Doquile, and Cody Storm.
Murrabit kept the heat on Wandella in a great match on the Blues’ turf.
Best for the .Jack Shannahan-coached Murrabit were Bryden Morison, Matt Moon, Austin McKerrow and Jordan Lampi.
The Blues’ line-up for this contest includes captain Ben Gillingham, Patrick Bryan, James Stewart and Jett Funnell.
Stung by defeat, Ultima will be determined to bounce back when it hosts Macorna.
The Mitch Seton-Stewart and Kyle Symons-coached Ultima looks to have too much goalkicking power for Macorna to hold across four quarters.
Key players for the Kangaroos include Zac Cattlin, Josh Dwyer, Jake Foster and Matt Taverna.
Ultima has Thomas Isma in the centre, Jack Delmenico and Jack Featherby in attack, and on-ballers Martyn Cooper and Corey Greg.
Massive test for the Paul Longstaff and Shaun Haffenden-coached Macorna.
Best for the Tigers in last Saturday’s match against Moulamein were Conner Burge, Harley Somerville, Jackson Gray and Jackson Fry.
Macorna has Llewellyn Kane and Matt Angel to play as ruck-rover and rover, Reece Wissell in the centre, and Tori Ferguson and Josh Walters as marking targets in attack.
Golden Rivers FNL senior footy ladder:
Hay 164 per cent, 12 points; Ultima 109, 8; Wandella 85, 8; Murrabit 100, 4; Moulamein 83, 4; Macorna 76, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
20 Jack Headon, Hay.
11 Adam Thomson, Murrabit.
6 Josh Dwyer, Ultima.
5 Corey Grey, Ultima.
5 Jordan Lampi, Murrabit.
5 Blake Launer, Moulamein.
5 Harry Loughnan, Hay.
5 Adam Saunders, Moulamein.
5 Morgan Turvey, Moulamein.
4 Matthew Angel, Macorna.
4 Kade Benfield, Ultima.
4 Ryan Devereux, Ultima.
4 Luke Gray, Macorna.
4 Thomas Isma, Ultima.
4 James Stewart, Murrabit.
4 Kane Timmins, Wandella.
4 Laing Waddingham, Wandella.
4 Josh Walters, Macorna.
4 Jacob Watson, Hay.