What a great result for Murray League Football last week with a 64point victory over the Bellarine League. Congratulations to all Coaches, Players and Officials on achieving a fantastic outcome. Back to home and away matches this week and there are some big games to be played.
The Deniliquin v Moama clash should be a beauty, while Mulwala v Cobram, Finley v Tongala and Echuca United v Congupna should also be fantastic games of footy.
Deniliquin v Moama
This should be a ripping game of footy with both teams desperate for the 4 points on offer. The Rams Ash Morris is in outstanding form winning plenty of the ball through the midfield and also booting goals when resting up forward. Ricky Gittens, Ollie Draffin and Anthony Bull are providing plenty of drive around the ground, while Troy Bartlett, Beau Close, Brayden Hall and Hayden Barker are dangerous up forward. For Moama Tyler Jones is a real danger up forward with 45 goals to date for the season and Rams defender Simon Maher will probably get first crack. Midfielders Daniel Thorp, Josh Maddox and Michael Sage will have a good battle with the Rams onballers and Jake Kilmartin and Brandt Gladman will need to be closely watched around goal. This should be a very close and hard fought clash, but the Rams may just get over the line on their home ground.
Mulwala v Cobram
Cobram face a must win game when they travel to Mulwala. A loss could see the Tigers tumble from the top 6. The Tigers have a fantastic midfield group and they will need big games from John Lucas, Tom Thorson, Matt Hyde, Tom Crapp, Brennan Mills, Nick Tassell and Sam Gemmill if they are to be successful. The Lions are always a difficult proposition at home led by Sean Robinson, Nick O’Bryan, Kyle Archibald and Michael Duiker in the midfield and their dangerous forwards in Chase Strawhorn, Anthony Giuliano and Cameron Symes. If the Tigers can get on top through the stoppages and midfield they should really push the Lions, but Mulwala’s overall depth and home ground should see them take the points.
Finley v Tongala
Tongala also face a must win game when they travel to Finley. A loss would see their finals hopes plummet, even at this early stage of the season. The Cats are starting to travel nicely with Ryan Bongetti, Ollie Ford, Paul Massingham, Kamen Ogilvie and Matt Jackson winning plenty of the footy around the ground. They also have plenty of options up forward in Tom Doyle, Reid Crowe, Dane Maxwell and the Robertson brothers which will cause plenty of headaches for the Tongala defence. Tonny need big games from their midfielders in Jimmy Cullum, Jordon Souter, James Nanopoulos and Tom Donnell if they are to challenge the Cats. While forwards Matt Andrews, Luke McGill and Adam Nunn will need to make the most of their opportunities. The Cats should have too much class and depth and be victorious of the final siren.
Echuca United v Congupna
Echuca United face somewhat of a danger game when they host Congupna. They can’t take the game easy and an upset could be on the cards. Congupna has some quality players in Daniel Bowles, Kaine Greening, Luke and Paul Kenelley, Mitch Sidebottom and Heath Barton who can really take this game up to the Eagles. Echuca United will again look to the Priest boys in Farran and Rowan to give them first use of the footy, with support from Scott Beattie, Ryan Prendergast and Craig Frost. Duane Hueston suffered an injury in the Interleague match last week and will be missed today if unavailable. At home I expect the Eagles to get up in a close one.
Rumbalara v Nathalia
Rumbalara get the opportunity to get another win on the board when they take on Nathalia. They have the dangerous Eric Edwards up forward along with Bevan Doolan and Leroy Boland. While around the ground, Levi Power, Dalton Guthrie, Ryan Hudson and Des Morgan will gather plenty of the footy. For the Purples Jarrod Maskell, Nathan Ryan, Ian Fulton and Jason Limbrick should provide the Purples with plenty of drive, while forwards, Brodie Ross and Matt Davies need to boot a bag to get the Purples home. On Rumba’s home ground they should get over the line.
Numurkah v Tocumwal
In the final match of the round, Numurkah take on bottom side Tocumwal. The Blues should have too much class and depth with Jake Wilkinson, Justin Murphy, Brent Chapman, Beau McKeown and Chris Oliver ensuring a comfortable Blues victory. The Bloods will look to Dalton Sanderson, Aaron Findlay, Harry Crowe, Aaron Morham and David Farrell for a competitive performance. At home the Blues will be much too strong and record a percentage boosting victory.
Barooga Bye
Selections – Deniliquin, Mulwala, Finley, Echuca United, Rumbalara, Numurkah.
Round 9 – 2013
By Neale Hawks