BY NATHAN DOLE
Ultima carries confidence into semi against Hay
THE only team to beat Hay across the home-and-away series, Ultima’s senior footy team takes plenty of confidence into this Saturday’s second semi-final in the Golden Rivers season.
The Kangaroos and Lions will play at Wandella from 2.40pm.
At stake is being first to the September 7 grand final at Hay and a week’s rest.
A 15-1 record meant Hay finished the regular season in top spot in pursuit of back-to-back premierships.
The defeated will then face Wandella or Macorna in the August 31 preliminary final at Ultima.
This season’s meetings between the Lions and Roos stand at two-one in Hay’s favour.
The Lions marked wins by 17 and 20 points against Ultima in rounds four and nine.
Latest showdown was the 14th round where the Kangaroos won 88-64 at Ultima.
There is plenty of goalscoring power in Hay’s line-up.
Leading goalkickers for the Lions are Declan Watson, 58; Kenneth Jubb, 35; and Jack Cattanach, 26.
They will be up against an Ultima defence led by Ed Kuchel, Jamie Nicholas and Thomas Bull.
Ultima’s leading goalkicker Ryan Devereux has booted 59 goals, but was not named for Saturday’s clash.
The Kangaroos will look to Jye Purtill, Ricky Wild and Matt Taverna to cap off moves into the forward 50m arc.
Highlight of this match will be the on-ball duels where Hay has James Moran, Hugh Crighton and Jacob Watson to take on Matt Taverna, Zac Cattlin and Jake Foster.
On Sunday it will be Wandella and Macorna fighting to stay in the premiership race when they meet in the first semi-final at Murrabit.
It’s two-all in this season’s meetings between the Bombers and Tigers.
They met last Saturday where Wandella marked a 66-55 victory at Macorna.
In round six, Wandella beat the Tigers by just three points in the Bombers’ hangar.
An eight-eight record put the Bombers in third place.
Macorna has a win-loss tally of 5-11, which includes wins against Wandella in round one, 98-62; and round 11, 78-75.
Key targets in Wandella’s attack are Justin Robinson, 28 goals; Michael Rowe, 23; Logan Keighran, 18; and Adam Ward, 15.
The Bombers squad for Sunday’s match includes co-captains Logan Keighran and Tim Robinson, John Cooper, Archer and Ryan Lancaster, Darren Rushton, Jarred Schlitz and Tanner Treacy.
Macorna’s attack is led by Tristan McIntosh, 19; Malcolm Neiwand, 15; and Lachlan Ritchie, 14.
Players to watch in the yellow and black include co-captains Lachlan Thompson and Laing Whinfield, Kurt Forder, Toby Whinfield, Harley Somerville, Michael Roberts and Hunter Anset.
Schedule for Saturday’s second semi-finals at Wandella
Under-14 ½ at 9.35am: Murrabit v Hay.
Under-17 ½ at 10.45am: Macorna v Wandella.
Reserves at 12.35pm: Ultima v Murrabit.
Seniors at 2.40: Hay v Ultima.
Schedule for Sunday’s first semi-finals at Murrabit:
Under-14 ½ at 9.35am: Wandella v Macorna.
Under-17 ½ at 10.45am: Ultima v Hay.
Reserves at 12.35pm: Macorna v Hay.
Seniors at 2.40: Wandella v Macorna.