Last week saw a fantastic round of matches in Murray League Football. The big clash between Echuca United and Finley was a ripper, with the lead chopping and changing all day. The Cats led by 13 points with 5 minutes to play, but the Eagles dug deep led by Farran Priest who booted 3 goals in the final term to snatch the victory.
Rumbalara and Barooga also had an entertaining battle, with Rumba getting home by 7 points on the final siren. Nathalia pushed Deni for 3 quarters before the Rams got home by 19 points. In other games Numurkah defeated Congupna by 38 points and Moama had a big 101 point victory over Tocumwal. This week we should again see some very close and entertaining games of football.
Numurkah v Tongala
Numurkah appear to have found form and should prove very tough for Tongala to defeat in the battle of the Blues. Numurkah will be sweating on the availability of Matt Chapman after he was reported last week. The need him this week along with Brent Chapman and Joel Child to give them goal kicking options. While their youngsters in Beau McKeown, Tim Arnel, Mitch Jones and Dan Buzza continue to perform and Chris Oliver, Jack Miechel and Jake Wilkinson give them valuable experience around the ground. Tonny are fresh from the bye and will be keen for a big performance today. The need Jarrad Martin, Jimmy Cullum and Jordan Souter leading the way in the midfield and Matt Andrews and Luke McGill firing up forward. On current form Numurkah should take the valuable 4 points on offer.
Mulwala v Nathalia
Nathalia travel to Mulwala to take on the Lions who are fresh from the bye. The Lions should have too much firepower for the Purples with Sean Robinson, Kyle Archibald, Tom Van Der Merwe and Tom Wilson in the midfield and Anthony Giuliano, Chase Strawhorn and Dylan Robinson up forward. The Purples will rely on Brodie Ross, Jason Limbrick and Matt Davies up forward and Jarrod Maskell, Nathan Ryan, Adam Hickey and Alistair Corry through the middle for a competitive performance. The Lions will have too much depth and should run out comfortable victors on their home ground.
Deniliquin v Tocumwal
Deniliquin will look to consolidate their position in the top 6 when they take on Tocumwal at home. The Rams have Ash Morris in outstanding touch and he is getting valuable support from Ricky Gittens, Troy Bartlett and Oliver Draffin. While Josh Whelan, Brayden Hall and Hayden Barker will prove a handful up forward for the Bloods defenders. Tocumwal would have been very disappointed with their showing last week and will be keen for a better performance today. Their recruits in Dalton Sanderson, Aaron Findlay and Trent Boglis continue to perform well, along with young Aaron Morham, Harry Crowe and Adrian Hickey. It’s hard to see the Bloods causing an upset on the Rams home turf.
Moama v Cobram
Moama 5th, will be out to consolidate their position in the top six when they host the 2nd placed Cobram Tigers. Moama have gained confidence with a couple of big victories in recent weeks. Forward Tyler Jones has booted 21 in those victories and will again be a key today. Veteran Tiger defender Phil Bourke may get first crack at Jones. Josh Maddox continues to win plenty of the footy along with Daniel Thorp, Michael Sage, Shannon Galea and Jake Kilmartin. Cobram will have appreciated the bye with several injured players and will look to their quality players in Tom Crapp, Sam Gemmill, John Lucas, Tom Thorson and Nick Tassell to get them home. This should be a very close game of footy, but Moama are difficult to beat at home and may just take the points.
Finley v Barooga
Finley will be smarting from their loss last week and will bounce back strongly against Barooga today. The Cats will have too much depth for the Hawks with Paul Massingam, Ryan Bongetti, Marcus Jackson, Michael Littlejohn and Tennyson Vance controlling the midfield and Tom Doyle and Robb Jewell providing marking targets up forward. Barooga have Luke Jarjoura with 11 goals last week providing a target up forward, but he is getting little support. Dylan Brooks, Chase Strawhorn and youngsters Cal Leighton-Daly and Jake Russell will battle hard, but the Cats should have a very comfortable victory.
Rumbalara v Congupna
Rumbalara and Congupna clash in the battle for the Unity Cup. Rumba had their first victory for 2013 when they defeated Barooga with Eric Edwards and Levi Power on fire up forward and Ryan Hudson, Justin Terlich and Bevan Doolan will provide valuable drive around the ground. Congupna defenders Nathan Congram, Aaron Cuthbert, Shane Bensch and Marcus Drum will have big roles to play restricting Rumba’s scoring. While Daniel Bowles, Luke Kenelley, Kaine Greening and Josh Pearce need to win plenty of the footy if Congupna are to get home. This should be a close and entertaining game, but The Road may just get up in the Unity Cup.
Unity Cup
Echuca United Bye
Selections - Numurkah, Mulwala Deniliquin, Moama, Finley, Congupna.
