THIRD in the premiership race, Koondrook Barham confronts a fired-up Woorinen in Saturday’s start to the split fifth round in Radio 3SH-backed Central Murray senior footy.
The River Raiders and Tigers will play at Barham Recreation Reserve from 2.30pm.
It’s a huge test for the Marcus Demaria-coached Koondrook Barham which has a three-one record.
They take on a Woorinen team which has fought back from a nil-two start to beat Lake Boga and Kerang.
Key match-ups in Saturday’s clash between KB and Woorinen include Jack Thrum at full-back against Tigers’ star Jose Miliado, and Jack Shannon opposed to the in-form Sam Hilton-Joyce.
Koondrook Barham’s leading goalkickers are Cameron Arnold, Harry Bremner and Kye Attwell.
The defence for the Tim Free-coached Woorinen includes Ben Booth, Jamie Nicholas and Elijah Miliado.
Another big match will be at Kerang’s Riverside Park where the Blues take on Tooleybuc Manangatang.
It’s seventh against eighth as both teams are locked on two-two records.
The Brad Pay-coached Kerang is on the rebound from a 40-point loss on Woorinen’s ground.
Tooleybuc Manangatang won last Saturday’s clash with Lake Boga in Tooleybuc by 77 points.
A Kerang defence led by Jayden Crellin, Archer Dibsdale and Cody Makeham takes on Austin Hodge, Ben Arentz and Kallum Hazlett.
In the centre, Bohden McKnight faces Saints’ co-coach Nayef Hamad.
Kerang will look to Zak Bozanich, Rylett Gitsham, Martin Kelly and Jack Sullivan to lead the way to victory.
A Saints’ team which has Robbie McComb as co-coach has Rydar Morris and Rylee Taylor in midfield, Josh Chatfield, Mohammed El Souki and Nick Ryan in defence.
Lake Boga is on home turf at Lake Boga Sports Club against Nyah Nyah West United.
Massive test for the Dean Helmers-coached Lake Boga as the Demons were in hot form on the way to a 47-point win at home against Mallee Eagles last round.
The Magpies will look for big games from Braden Padmore in the centre, Dylan McCosh and Ryan Fox in defence, Rex Hickman and Nathaniel Holmes-Brown in attack.
For the on-ball duels, Lake Boga has Jordan Reardon, Marty Parsons and Kamen Ogilvie up against Blake Larkings, Jordan Johnston and Scott Carlin.
Players to watch for the Corey Daniels-coached NNWU Demons include Brayden Bigham, Charlie Boulton, Riley Daniels, Dominic Gallo and Joel Walsh.
Moulamein is on home turf against Balranald.
The Swans will start favourite to chalk up win number three and stay in touch with the top six.
The Brodie Tonkin and Hayden Dalitz was outplayed at Cohuna last Saturday as the Kangas hopped their way to a 10-goal victory.
Key players for Moulamein include ruckman Heath Moloney, ruck-rover Charlie Bowes, Brett Kennedy and Adam Curry in attack, and defenders Mark Drotsky.
Been a tough season for an inexperienced Balranald team coached by Brent Macleod.
It’s likely to be another busy afternoon for Balarnald defenders Jack Helgeland, Jake Lockhart, Ryan Middlebrook and Jack Salau.
The Kangaroos will look to Liam Farnsworth, Ian Fuller and Brandon Gardiner to set up scoring chances for Bailey Brougham, Seb Papa and Tom Salau.
It’s a rest for Mallee Eagles, Tyntynder, Murrabit, Hay, Swan Hill, Cohuna Kangas, Ultima and Wandella who will play on May 23.
Central Murray FNL senior footy ladder:
Nyah Nyah West United 267 per cent, 16 points; Swan Hill 252, 16; Kooondrook Barham 226, 12; Cohuna Kangas 149, 12; Hay 146, 12; Mallee Eagles 138, 12; Kerang 142, 8; Tooleybuc Manangatang 138, 8; Ultima 132, 8; Woorinen 121, 8; Lake Boga 88, 8; Moulamein 74, 8; Tyntynder 41, 4; Murrabit 41, 0; Wandella 31, 0; Balranald 19, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
20 Cameron Arnold, KB.
19 Zak Bozanich, K.
18 Sam Hilton-Joyce, W’neen; Declan Watson, H.
16 Beau Schwarze, NNWU.
14 Dustin Burns, U.
13 Corbin Anderson, CK.
12 Harry Bremner, KB; Jack Headon, H; Austin Hodge, TM; Jonathon Ross, NNWU.
11 Kye Attwell, KB; Andrew Dean, U; Xavier Moloney, SH; Tom Smith, SH.
10 Jordan Johnston, NNWU; Brett Kennedy, Moula.; Jacob O’Meara, ME; Tom Toma, CK; Patrick Veszpremi, SH.
9 Daniel Coates, CK; Adam Curry, Moula.; Corey Daniels, NNWU; Nathaniel Holmes-Brown, LB.
8 Charlie Boulton, NNWU; Leo Ellison, Murra.; Rex Hickman, LB; Darcy Hourigan, ME: Adam Thomson, Murra.