TOP teams Hay and Ultima meet in Saturday’s eighth round of Golden Rivers senior footy action.
Ultima takes on the unbeaten and ladder-leading Hay from 2.25pm at Ultima Recreation Reserve.
When these clubs met in round three it was Hay which won the rematch of the ’24 grand finalists by 41 points.
The Hay Lions marked their seventh victory of this season in a 116-82 result against Murrabit in the den last Saturday.
Ultima was strung by an eight-point loss at home to Moulamein in the seventh round.
Key match-ups for the clash of the Kangaroos and Lions include Ultima’s Thomas Isma in the centre against Jayden Kinces, and Lachlan Bull in the ruck opposed to Hay co-coach James Moran.
Ultima’s best last round were Lachlan Bull, Thomas Bull, co-coach Mitch Seton-Stewart, Corey Grey, Lincoln Frost and Zac Cattlin.
Big test for Roos’ defenders Jye Purtill, Caillum Brady and Jack Featherby.
The Kangaroos also have Kyle Symons as co-coach.
A strong attack for Hay includes Declan Watson, Dylan Collis, Jack Headon and Hugh Crighton.
Best for the Jason Aylett and James Moran-coached Hay last Saturday included Dylan Collis, Jack Cattanach, Jacob Watson, Joel Crocker and Dean Aylett.
Wandella can raise the heat on Ultima in the fight to be second by winning its home game against Murrabit.
It was 15 points in favour of Wandella when it played at Murrabit in round three.
The Bombers won their latest hit-out at Macorna by 22 points as Mitch Collins kicked three goals and Archer Lancaster and Kaine O’Connell added two each.
A Wandella line-up coached by Justin Robinson includes ruckman Darcy Ramage, Laing Waddingham, Adam Ward, Jarred Schlitz, Gregor Knight and Seth Hall.
Murrabit’s third quarter against Hay last round was one of the Blues’ best of the season.
As Murrabit scored 4.7 in the third it kept the Lions to a tally of 1.4.
Hay kicked away in the final term to win by 34 points.
Adam Thomson kicked five goals for the Blues against the Lions as Ryan Harvey and James Stewart added two each.
The Jack Shannahan-coached Murrabit team includes captain Ben Gillingham in the ruck, Joseph Zambelli and Sam Copland in attack, Bryden Morison and Bailey Pengelly in midfield.
After stunning Ultima, Moulamein will be back on its turf against Macorna.
The Swans will start favourite against the Tigers.
Blake Launer and Adam Saunders kicked three and two goals in a 70-62 victory at Ultima.
Back in round three Moulamein won at Macorna by 31 points.
In-form players for the Brodie Tonkin and Hayden Dalitz-coached Swans include ruck-rover Will Doquile, full-back Mark Drotsky, Ethan Fitzpatrick on a wing, Will Gibson at half-back.
Moulamein has co-captains Heath Moloney and Xander Hartland in the ruck and attack respectively.
Macorna worked hard in a 22-point loss to Wandella at home.
Players to watch in the yellow and black include Connor Burge and Josh Walters in attack, Luke Gray and Hunter Anset across half-back, and Reece Wissell in the centre.
Big test for Tigers’ on-ballers Harley Somerville, Will Meharry and Matt Angel.
Paul Longstaff and Shaun Haffenden are joint coaches of the Macorna Tigers.
Golden Rivers senior footy ladder:
Hay 215 per cent, 28 points; Ultima 154, 20; Wandella 83, 16; Murrabit 88, 12; Moulamein 67, 8; Macorna 60 0.
Leading goalkickers:
33 Jack Headon, Hay.
25 Adam Thomson, Murrabit.
21 Declan Watson, Hay.
17 Justin Robinson, Wandella.
12 Ryan Devereux, Ultima.
11 Corey Grey, Ultima.
11 Thomas Isma, Ultima.
10 Mitch Collins, Wandella.
9 Dylan Collis, Hay.
9 Luke Gray, Macorna.
9 Blake Launer, Moulamein.
9 James Stewart, Murrabit.
8 Josh Dwyer, Ultima.
8 Jordan Lampi, Murrabit.
8 Kaine O’Connell, Wandella.
8 Adam Saunders, Moulamein.
8 Matt Taverna, Ultima.
7 Morgan Turvey, Moulamein.
7 Josh Walters, Macorna.
6 Matthew Angel, Macorna.
6 Ryan Harvey, Murrabit.
6 Jacob Watson, Hay.
5 Trae Atkinson, Moulamein.
5 Nathan Buckley, Moulamein.
5 Jack Cattanach, Hay.
5 Joel Crocker, Hay.
5 Harry Loughnan, Hay.
5 Mitchell Seton-Stewart, Ultima.
5 Laing Waddingham, Wandella.
5 Toby Whinfield, Macorna.