Jim Gordon previews the upcoming round of matches in the Mallee Football League.

Jeparit Rainbow v Walpeup Underbool

Jeparit Rainbow faces a big test when they welcome third placed Walpeup Underbool to Rainbow. The Lakers have been close to winning their last three games including a one point loss to Ouyen United, but they face a much bigger task this week against one of the top three sides. One positive for the Lakers is that the Roos often struggle against Jeparit Rainbow away from home. It will be a big day for the Lakers as they have their Goods and Services auction in the evening.

Chris Meyer and Heath Clugston have been in great form for Jeparit Rainbow in the last couple of games and Ben Zanker provided a good target up forward in their recent narrow loss to the Devils. In that game, the Lakers were missing several of their better players, most of whom should return this week.

Adam Schultz, Josh Murphy and Greg McLeish will all be welcome returns. Schultz and Murphy will strengthen the Jeparit Rainbow defence while McLeish can play up forward and in the ruck. Injured players from their last game Brett Fisher and Josh McCleary will have to prove their fitness before they can return. The last time these two sides met McCleary played well against Wade Champion and the Lakers will need him back and in form if they hope to limit the Walpeup Underbool forward line.

The Roos were unimpressive in defeating Ouyen United last week at Underbool and will need to be on the ball against the Lakers. They were missing four very good players in Kane Munro, Chris Chubb, Daniel Harris and Tyson Gordon.

The Roos will have Chris Chubb and Tyson Gordon back into the side this weekend, while Munro and Harris are likely to miss again. David Piasente seemed to be limited in his movement last week and could be carrying an injury.

With third spot virtually secured and a top two finish unlikely, the Roos will be adjusting their team, trying to find the best combination for the rest of the home and away games. The skill level of the Roos must lift if they are to have any impact in the finals this year. They should be able to take care of the Lakers, but it will be a tough battle on Jeparit Rainbow's home turf.

Hopetoun v Woomelang Lascelles

This game has a lot of significance for the Cats and a win could see them in the MFL top four at the expense of Ouyen United. Percentages come into it, but the Demons have a very difficult home game against the Tigers, so if the Cats defeat the Devils by a big enough margin, fourth place is theirs.

Woomelang Lascelles should have an unchanged team and the added bonus of Nyaburu Kelly an outside chance to return from injury.

Hopetoun will be no pushover. Their recent form has been good and the last time these two sides met, the Devils were losing games by big margins yet they got to within four points of the Cats and could have won the game.

It has taken until near the end of the season for the Devils to finally find a bit of form. Luke Carr has had a great year as the main focal point up forward.
Cade Wellington has also stamped himself as a premium midfielder consistently performing well and they get good support from Zac Robbins and Deek Roberts. It looks like Quentin Willmott to miss this week with shoulder problems and the talented Coleman Shache has VFL duties. Bryce Wellington it due to return.

The Devils are a real chance against the Cats as they look for their second win of the season. However, Woomelang Lascelles have a lot to play for and with a game against United to follow, should come out just ahead of Hopetoun and could be in the four by the end of the day.

Ouyen United v Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers

The Tigers have taken care of United twice this season and should be able to make it three out of three with a win at Blackburn Part to consolidate their top two position on the ladder. Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers have class all over the ground and a lot of experience to go with it.

In wet conditions last week, the Tigers overcame a tenacious Woomelang Lascelles while Ouyen United were valiant in defeat at Underbool. The Demons will need all of their stars back and in form this week if they hope to get close to the Tigers. If Damien Cupido is fit and kicks a bagful, the Dees are in with a chance. Steve Lyons kept Cupido goalless the last time they met.

Ouyen United desperately need Laurence Angwin back and they miss Peter Caldow's hardness in the packs. Alexander Morrish is having a good year and Kale Barker roams far and wide and can score goals. Todd Barker will miss after being carried from the ground last week.

United's gallant backline is going to need to hold key Tiger forwards in Wes Harrison and Cliff Ryan. They were the reason Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers got on top of the Cats in the first term last week with three goals each in the opening term.

Luke Martin did a great job in defence for the Tigers against the Cats repelling many attacks, whilst the pick of their onballers were club stalwart Col Durie and Jason Collins. John Foskett was back to his desperate best.

Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers will need to watch out, especially if Ouyen United has close to a full side in, but the more disciplined Tiger outfit should come out on top.

By Jim Gordon