The half way mark of the season has passed in Murray League Football and with 10 rounds remaining there is still 8 teams in the hunt for a finals berth in season 2013. The top 3 teams in Mulwala, Echuca United and Finley all recorded comfortable victories last week, while Cobram and Congupna also had very solid wins.

Finals hopefuls Numurkah and Moama both stubbled against fellow finals contenders and Deni Rams had the bye.

This week we some fantastic clashes with Mulwala 1^st taking on Deni Rams 4^th, while Numurkah 6^th take on Moama 7^th in a vital game for both sides. Cobram, Finley and Echuca United all look too strong on paper for their opponents and Tongala should get over the line against Barooga.

Mulwala v Deniliquin

Mulwala host Deni Rams in the match of the day. The Lions currently sit on top of the Murray Football League ladder with one loss to date. While the Rams currently sit 4^th with just 2 losses for the season. Mulwala is a very attacking and high scoring side that the Rams will look to shut down. The Lions will be without their leading goal kicker in Chase Strawhorn who will be missing through suspension. Although they have a handy replacement in Reserves leading goal kicker Dylan Flanagan. They still have Anthony Giuliano, Cam Symes, Kyle Archibald, Sean and Dylan Robinson to boot a winning score. While Dean Bigger, Michael Duiker, Nick O’Bryan and Keegan Oliver provide the drive around the ground. The Rams defenders in Simon Maher, Dan Jordan, Nick Howe and Ollie Draffin face a big task in restricting the Lions forwards. Midfielders Ash Morris, Anthony Bull and Ricky Gittens will need to win plenty of the footy to give Troy Bartlett, Josh Whelan and Hayden Barker enough scoring opportunities. This should be a ripping game of footy with the Lions proving a little too good on their home ground.

Numurkah v Moama

Numurkah 6^th host Moama 7^th in another big game. This is a real 8 point game in the run home to the finals. The Blues were very disappointing last week going down to Cobram by 10 goals and will need to bounce back strongly today. They have Mark Brown proving dangerous up forward along with Michael Herilhy, but they need more from the experienced Liam Gledhill, Dylan Grandell and Matt and Brent Chapman. Their young midfielders in Nick Fothergill, Beau McKeown and Jordan O’Dwyer continue to win plenty of the footy along with Justin Murphy. Moama have a danger man up forward in Tyler Jones, while Jake Kilmartin and young Lachlan Schultz are giving valuable support. Midfielders Josh Maddox, Daniel Thorp, Paul Van der Sluys and Jack Harland will win plenty of the footy, while defenders Simon Maddox, Kyle Manley and Matt Grant will need to stand tall. At home Numurkah should bounce back in a close one.

Rumbalara v Cobram

Rumbalara take on Cobram full of confidence after their big win over Tocumwal last week. They have Eric Edwards at full forward who is very dangerous around goals and Levi Power, Ryan Hudson, Des Morgan, Graham Weston, Jono Henderson and Justin Terlich will win their share of the footy. Cobram will also be confident after easily overcoming Numurkah last round. The Tigers have Tom Thorson, John Lucas and Daniel McIntyre dangerous up forward and Tom Crapp, Matt Hyde, Adam Svarc, Sam Gemmill and Will Patone gathering plenty of possessions around the ground. Rumba will take the game up to the Tigers for a while, but the Tigers depth and class should get them comfortably home.

Finley v Tocumwal

Finley take on close neighbours Tocumwal and should have little trouble gaining the 4 points. The Cats should prove much too good with Ryan Bongetti, Paul Massingham, Marcus Jackson, Kamen Ogilvie, Matt Jackson and Tim Robertson dominating proceedings. The Bloods would have very disappointed after last week’s game and need to regroup quickly today. They have some quality players in Dalton Sanderson, Aaron Findlay, Matt Neill, Harry Crowe, Daniel Carey and Nathan Tresize but need a real team effort to really push the Cats. At home Finley should have a big victory.

Echuca United v Nathalia

Nathalia face a huge challenge when they travel to Echuca United. They Eagles have only had the 1 loss for the season, but their depth could be tested in coming weeks with 4 players injured last round against Tongala. The still have Ryan Prendergast and Jake Guinan heading a solid defence and Scott Beattie, Farran and Rowan Priest, Rowan Hill and Cam Parker proving dangerous in the midfield and around goals. The Purples will look to their experienced Premiership group to lead the way in Troy Snelson, Nathan Ryan, Jason Limbrick, Brodie Ross, Matt Davies, Luke Quinn, Ian Fulton and Alistair Corry. While youngsters Rhys Shannon, Jai Morrison, Mal Barnes and Adam Hickey continue to improve each week. At home the Eagles should be too good at the end of the day.

Barooga v Tongala

Barooga host Tongala in a game they probably see as an opportunity to break through for their first win of the season. They need to win plenty of the ball in the middle through Sean and Ben Robbins, Sam Ryan and Cal Leighton Daly to give forwards Mitch Richmann and James Hazelman enough opportunities to kick a winning score. Tongala still have a slim chance of making finals and will be keen for a victory. Forward Matt Andrews will be a handful along with Jordan Souter. While the efforts of Dave Newman, Jimmy Cullum, Tom Donnell, Matt Ohlsen and Sam Lovison should see Tonny victorious.

Congupna Bye

Selections – Mulwala, Numurkah, Cobram, Finley, Echuca United, Tongala.

 By Neale Hawks

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