REIGNING premier Woorinen tackles Cohuna Kangas in Saturday’s 12th round in Radio 3SH-backed Central Murray senior footy.
The Tigers and Kangas will play at Woorinen Recreation Reserve from 2.30pm.
It’s fourth against third as both teams are locked on nine-two records.
The Tim Free-coached Woorinen dominated last Saturday’s match in Wandella to win by 231 points.
Pressure and the running ability of the opposition will be at a significantly higher level this time.
Key match-ups include Tigers’ centreman Henry Thompson against Sam McGlone, Lachlan Gardner to ruck against Cohuna star Chris Anderson, and Kane Reid at full-back for the yellow and black against the experienced Kain Robins.
Players to watch for Woorinen include Robert Rush off half-back, Billy Evers on a wing, Doug Beames, Will Collicoat and Jose Miliado in attack.
The Jack Geary-coached Kangas had a tough start to the week as Heathcote DFNL clubs voted not to allow Cohuna to join the competition next season.
Now the focus is back on Woorinen and what Cohuna can do to take the points from the yellow and black.
A talented Kangas’ line-up includes Ricky Monti ruck-roving, Tom Toma as rover, Mitch Treacy at centre half-back, Ryder van der Zande on a wing, Corbin Anderson and Daniel Coates in attack.
An in-form Nyah Nyah West United takes on Hay at Nyah Recreation Reserve.
The NNWU Demons dominated last Saturday’s match at Murrabit to win by 154 points.
Riley Daniels, Ethan Saville, John Summerhayes and Liam White led the attack on four goals each in the team’s 11th consecutive victory.
The Demons’ forwards will be up against a Lions’ defence led by Joel Crocker, Jim Houston and Tom Sheldrick.
In-form players for the Corey Daniels-coached NNWU include captain Dominic Gallo, Murndarr McInnes at half-back, Jack Palmer and Nash Richman in defence.
Hay fought on for an 83-64 win against Tooleybuc Manangatang in last Saturday’s match in the Lions’ den.
Best for Hay were Will Wolbers, Jack Cattanach, Harry Loughnan and Archie Houston.
A Hay attack led by Jack Headon, Harry Loughnan and Dean Aylett will test the Demons.
A Lions’ team coached by Mick Cattanach and James Moran is fifth on an eight-three record.
Another big match will be at Barham between Kooondrook Barham and Moulamein.
It’s eighth against seventh as Koondrook Barham, 5-6, fights to hold its place or climb higher.
Moulamein is a win clear of the River Raiders on 24 premiership points.
The Marcus Demaria-coached Koondrook Barham was in hot form against Tyntynder last round.
In-form players for the River Raiders include Harry Bremner in the centre, Patrick Goble at half-forward, rover Martin Kelly, Clayton McCartney, Jack Poulton and Liam Read.
The KB team has Nathan O’Toole ruck-roving, Ryan Bartlett and Ryan Bassett in defence, and Mitch Lowry and Clayton McCartney as key targets in the forward line.
Best for Moulamein in a 57-point win at home against Kerang were Charlie Bowes, Peter Costanzo, Brett Kennedy and Josh Wills.
The play of Mark Drotsky at full-back, Xander Hartland in the centre, Morgan Turvey and Thomas Worthley across half-forward will have a bearing on the Swans chances.
The Swans are jointly coached by Brodie Tonkin and Hayden Dalitz.
Tyntynder will notch up win number three or Balranald its second when the Bulldogs and Kangaroos play at Swan Hill’s Alan Garden Reserve.
Both teams were well beaten last round.
The Bulldogs were on the end of 157-point drubbing from Koondrook Barham in Barham.
It was a tough afternoon for Balranald in Cohuna as the other mob of kangaroos skipped away to a 21-goal victory.
Key players for the Darcy Bibby-coached Tyntynder include Zac Denham in attack, Josh Dwyer at full-back, Tate Hulland at centre half-back, and centreman Elia Ware.
The Bulldogs also have Josh Potter in the centre, Sam Bull roving, and Mitchell Clark and Eddy Schifferle on the wings.
Best for the Brent Macleod-coached Balranald against Cohuna were Ben Brett, Jack Salau, Liam Farnsworth and Tom Salau.
The Kangaroos have Kane Agius in the ruck, Ian Fuller roving, Toby Lay and Ryan Middlebrook in defence, and Ben Fuller and Seb Papa in attack.
Separated by four points, Kerang and Swan Hill will clash at Kerang’s Riverside Park.
The Brad Pay-coached Kerang is 11th on 20 points.
Swan Hill’s two-point win against Lake Boga last Saturday has it on 24 points and perched on the sixth rung.
The classy Patrick Veszpremi kicked eight goals and was best afield for the Swans against the Magpies.
Matt Gilbee, Tom Holdstock, Xavier Moloney and Tom Smith were in great form as the Jason Murphy-coached Swan Hill broke a four-match losing streak.
The Swans have Buol Majur in the ruck, James Horsey roving, Harry Graham and Rory Sheldrick on the wings.
Kerang will be fired up after a 57-point loss on Moulamein’s ground.
Key players for the Blues include Hugh Bremner and Rylee Gitsham in defence, Liam Jardine, Rylee Gitsham, and Martin Kelly on a wing.
Huge roles will be played by Tyson Clingan in the centre, Zac Bozanich at full-forward, Ian Fisher in the ruck, and Bohden McKnight at full-back.
Lake Boga is back at Lake Boga Sports Club to take on Ultima.
An upset win by the Dean Helmers-coached Lake Boga would keep the heat on those just inside the top eight.
Ultima is in 10th place on a five-six record.
The Lake Boga team is on the rebound from a two-point loss on Swan Hill’s turf.
Best for the Magpies against the Swans were Xavier Sherlock, Willem Pye, Darcy Butler and Chad O’Sullivan.
Lake Boga has Lachlan Tarczon in the ruck, the classy Braden Padmore ruck-roving, Rex Hickman and Darcy Butler in attack, and Ryan Fox and Jordan Reardon in defence.
Ultima was beaten, 91-39 in its home game against Mallee Eagles.
Key players for the Joel Donnan-coached Ultima Storm include Dustin Burns, Thomas Isma, Jye Purtill and Matt Taverna.
Ultima will look to Caillum Brady, Lucas Caccaviello, Blake Condely, Andrew Dean and Billy O’Toole to lead the charge to victory.
Second in the premiership race, Mallee Eagles are back at Lalbert to take on Murrabit.
The Harry Allen-coached Eagles will be eyeing the chance to post a big score.
Targets in Mallee’s attack include Darcy Hourigan, Shaun Harrison, Jacob O’Meara and Toby Sheahan.
Players to watch for the Eagles include ruckman Hamish Hosking, rover Darcy McGregor, Cody Henness in the centre, and Billy and Zac O’Meara across the half-back line.
It’s another big test for a Murrabit team coached by Rick Ladson, non-playing, and Jack Shannahan, playing.
A Blues’ defence led by Rhys Carmichael, Cruz Jolliffee, Wade Minter and Matt Moon is in for another busy afternoon.
Key players for Murrabit include Ben Gillingham in the ruck, Bailey Pengelly roving, captain Bryden Morrison in the centre, Sam Copland and Adam Thomson in attack.
Footy’s back at Manangatang as Tooleybuc Manangatang takes on Wandella.
A Tooleybuc Manangatang team jointly coached by Robbie McComb and Nayef Hamad will be desperate to mark win number six and reclaim a place or keep the heat on in the fight for a finals berth.
Key players for the Saints include Trae Atkinson on a wing, Josh Chatfield at full-forward, rover Kallum Hazlett, Gareth Grant at half-back, and Rydar Morris.
It’s been a tough run for the Justin Robinson-coached Wandella which is yet to win.
Best for the Bombers against Woorinen last Saturday were Laing Waddingham, Tynan Dove in the centre, James Brailsford-Hunt, Nathan Boysen, Will Hogg and Seth Rowe.
Wandella welcomes back for his first match since the round eight clash with Tyntynder.
The Bombers ruckman Darcy Ramage to team up with John Cooper and Nathan Boysen at centre ball-ups and stoppages.
Central Murray FNL senior footy ladder:
Nyah Nyah West United 314 per cent, 44 points; Mallee Eagles 239, 40; Cohuna Kangas 295, 36; Woorinen 200, 36; Hay 182, 32; Swan Hill 104, 24; Moulamein 71, 24; Koondrook Barham 139, 20; Tooleybuc Manangatang 126, 20; Ultima 111, 20; Kerang 96, 20; Lake Boga 86, 16; Tyntynder 33, 12; Balranald 35, 8; Murrabit 36, 4; Wandella 27, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
41 Darcy Hourigan, ME.
38 Corbin Anderson, CK; Declan Watson, H.
37 Cameron Arnold, KB.
36 Zak Bozanich, K; Sam Hilton-Joyce, W’neen.
35 Dustin Burns, U.
29 Beau Schwarze, NNWU.
27 Will Collicoat, W’neen; Jacob O’Meara, ME.
25 Jack Headon, H; Nathaniel Holmes-Brown, LB.
23 Josh Chatfield, TM.
22 Adam Curry, M’mein; Tom Smith, SH.
21 Kye Attwell, KB; Daniel Coates, CK; Patrick Veszpremi, SH.