River Raiders take on red-hot Demons

– By Nathan Dole

THE River Raiders from Koondrook Barham take on Nyah Nyah West United in Saturday’s second round in the Radio 3SH-backed senior footy action across the Central Murray region.

Play kicks off at Barham at 2.30pm.

Both teams kicked off their season with a victory.

Marcus Demaria marked his start in charge at Koondrook Barham with a 14-point win against Tyntynder at Swan Hill’s Alan Garden Reserve.

The NNWU Demons began their quest for back-to-back premierships by beating Swan Hill by 10 goals on Nyah’s turf.

Key players for Koondrook Barham include Benji Neal in the centre, Reagan Hamilton, Isaac Corvo and Jack Shannon in defence, Kye Attwell, Matt Bilton and Jack Thrum in attack.

A strong Demons line-up coached by Corey Daniels and Jason Murphy has Blake Larkings in the ruck, Ethan Saville as rover, Joel Walsh and Cooper Andrews in defence, Nick O’Neill, Charlie Boulton and Riley Daniels near goal.

Woorinen is on home turf against Tyntynder.

The Tim Free-coached Woorinen won at Balranald’s Greenham Park by 67 points.

Players to watch for the Tigers include Lachlan and Matt Gardner, Doug Beames, Will Collicoat, Elijah Miliado, Taylor Cameron, Jye Barry and Robert Rush.

Tyntynder is being coached by Darcy Bibby, Justin Ellis and Charlie Ford.

The Bulldogs will need big games from the likes of ruckman Josh Potter, rover Patrick Crowe, Bailey Reeves, Kyle Doran, Harry Simpson and Elia Ware.

Tooleybuc Manangatang is on home turf at Tooleybuc to tackle Kerang.

The Saints and Blues were both beaten in round one.

The Brad Morris-coached Tooleybuc Manangatang has Blake Grant, Jack Templeton and Jesse Wilson in midfield, Ben Arentz, Josh Williams, Connor Nutting and Josh Domaille capable of winning plenty of the footy.

Saints’ ruckman Connor McDonald has earnt a Jack Betts Medal as league fairest and best.

The Paul Grayling-coached Kerang was outplayed by Lake Boga at Riverside Park.

Expect a fierce response from the Blues.

Kerang has Dominic Dick-O’Flaherty who played for Elmore last season on a wing.

Other key players for the Blues are Josh Hunter, Archer Dibsdale, Thomas Hetherington, Rylee Gitsham, Cody Makeham and Jordan McNeil.

Swan Hill faces a big task at home against Mallee Eagles.

The Michael Herlihy-coached Swans will be determined to bounce back from a 10-goal defeat in the season opener at Nyah.

Big test for Swans’ defenders Matt Pearse, Kallen Heslop, Brenton and Jared Halligan against Darcy Hourigan, Toby Sheahan, Jacob O’Meara and Andrew Mead-Harding.

The Swans will need plenty of pressure and run from Sunny Handy, captain Luke Phelan, Lane Cardenas and Spencer McKenzie.

Mallee started ’25 with a 20-plus goal win against Tooleybuc Manangtang at Lalbert.

A strong line-up coached by Brent Macleod and Harry Allen includes Dominic Makur in the ruck, Matthew Rankine as ruck-rover, Beau Bennett and Brett Thomas in midfield, Joe Halloran, Zac O’Meara and Jayden Post in defence.

Cohuna Kangas marks its first match of the season at home against Balranald.

The Jack Geary-coached Kangas will be fired up as they strive to climb higher after being knocked out by Balranald in last season’s elimination final.

Gun recruits for Cohuna are Ricky Monti and Tom Toma who starred in Golden Square’s run to premiership glory in 2023.

The Kangas’ squad includes Joel Helman, Jarrod Findlay and Jackson Williams.

Balranald’s team has changed markedly in the space of a few months.

Ben Fuller, Ben Mahon and Jack Salau are coaching Balranald this season.

The Balranald line-up to play at Cohuna includes former Western Bulldogs midfielder Roarke Smith, Colin Andrews, Ian Fuller, Tom Salau, Lachlan Collihole and Jarryd Stead.

Lake Boga has the bye.

Radio 3SH-backed Central Murray senior footy ladder:

Mallee Eagles 868 per cent, 4 points; Woorinen 234, 4; Nyah Nyah West United 225, 4; Lake Boga 160, 4; Koondrook Barham 128, 4; Tyntynder 78, 0; Kerang 62, 0; Swan Hill 44, 0; Balranald 42, 0; Tooleybuc Manangatang 11, 0; Cohuna Kangas 0, 0.

Leading goalkickers:

6 Darcy Hourigan, Mallee Eagles.

6 Matt Perry, Woorinen.

5 Hugh Thompson, Woorinen.

4 Mardy McDonald, Lake Boga.

4 Braden Padmore, Lake Boga.

4 Bailey Reeves, Tyntynder.

3 Doug Beames, Woorinen.

3 Michael Herlihy, Swan Hill.

3 Rex Hickman, Lake Boga.

3 Ethan McKnight, Kerang.

3 Jacob O’Meara, Mallee Eagles.

3 Nicholas O’Neill, Nyah Nyah West United.

3 Matthew Rankine, Mallee Eagles.

2 Kye Attwell, Koondrook Barham.

2 Charlie Boulton, Nyah Nyah West United.

2 Lachlan Collihole, Balranald.

2 Riley Daniels, Nyah Nyah West United.

2 Alex Erlandson, Nyah Nyah West United.

2 Ben Fuller, Balranald.

2 Coady Gorringe, Tyntynder.

2 Jayden Lonergan, Lake Boga.

2 Flynn McKnight, Kerang.

2 Jordan McNeil, Kerang.

2 Andrew Mead-Harding, Mallee Eagles.

2 Ethan Pinchen, Mallee Eagles.

2 Shannon Polgalse, Swan Hill.

2 Ethan Reeves, Koondrook Barham.

2 Kaleel Ross, Balranald.

2 Liam White, Nyah Nyah West United.