We have only 4 games of Murray League Football this week with a number of teams having a bye.
With only 5 home and away rounds to go in season 2013 the battle for finals positions is still well and truly wide open. All roads will head to Echuca United this week, where the Eagles take on Mulwala in the big clash of the 2 ladder leaders.
While Finley and Numurkah also face off in a must win game and Cobram also face a danger game against Tongala.
Echuca United v Mulwala
What a fantastic game of football this promises to be. The 2 ladder leaders clash in a battle for not only top spot, but also a physiological advantage come finals time. The Eagles have been steadily regaining players and building momentum towards the business end of the season. While the Lions have always been a power in Murray League Football but always seem to stumble at the final hurdle. The midfield battle should be a beauty with Farran Priest, Scott Beattie, Rowan Priest, Clayton Zanella and Brynn Webb-Barnes up against the Lions Nick O’Bryan, Sean Robinson, Michael Duiker and Dean Bigger. Both teams have potent forward lines with the Lions Chase Strawhorn 56 goals, Anthony Giuliano 49 and Kyle Archibald 33 all capable of winning a game off their own boot. Eagle’s defenders Ryan Prendergast, Jake Guinan and Daniel Cavallaro will need to be on top of their game. At the other end Guy Campbell with 21 goals in 4 games will be a real danger and it will be interesting to see if veteran Lions defender Nathan Parker is given the job. While Duane Hueston and Cam Parker are also capable of kicking multiple goals with support from their midfielders in Farran Priest and Beattie, while Justin Saker also bobbed up with 3 goals last week in a low scoring game. This should be a real hard fought, close battle, but the Eagles may just get over the line on their home deck.
Finley v Numurkah
Finley clash with Numurkah in another big game of Murray League Football this week. The Cats currently sit in 3rd position and will look to bounce back from their very disappointing performance against Mulwala last week. While Numurkah currently sit in 5th spot and have a number of teams clambering behind them to get into the top 6. The Cats have a number of injuries but still have plenty of quality in the midfield led by Ryan Bongetti, Matt Jackson, Kamen Ogilvie, Ollie Ford, Marcus Jackson, Tim Robertson and young Alistair Clarke. The will confront a much younger Blues midfield in Nick Fothergill, Mitch Jones, Beau McKeown and experienced ruckman Chris Oliver. Up forward the Blues rely on Mark Brown with 36 goals and Brent Chapman 29 to lead the scoring with support from Matt Chapman. The Cats on the other hand have a very even spread of goal kickers, with their midfielders making major contributions along with Dane Maxwell, Reid Crowe and Stephen Patten. The Blues defence led Jake Wilkinson will be in for a tough day. While Cats defenders Chris Harkins and Nick Robertson will also have big roles to play. At home I expect the Cats to bounce back onto the winners list.
Tongala v Cobram
Tongala host Cobram in a game where they will be looking to cause an upset. They will be boosted by the return of David Newman, Jordon Souter, Adam Lovison, Jarrad Martin and Tom Donnell. With Luke McGill, Shannon Tucker and Adam Nunn in good form they will be full of confidence. On the downside leading goal kicker Matt Andrews, Jimmy Cullum and Nick Mellington are likely to miss. For the Tigers Tom Thorson, Ben Ryan, Dylan Ryan and Daniel McIntyre have been dangerous around goals and Nick Tassell and Logan Morey have been giving plenty of drive from defence. In the middle the Tigers have plenty of class and experience led by Matt Hyde, Tom Crapp, Adam Svarc and Will Patone. This should be a fairly close battle but the Tigers should just get over the line.
Nathalia v Tocumwal
Nathalia get the opportunity to continue their good recent form when they take on Tocumwal. The Purples have had Jason Limbrick, Brodie Ross, Matt Davies, Sean Tenace and Ben Hitchcock providing targets up forward while Ian Fulton, Joe Richardson and Luke Quinn have been solid in defence. In the middle Troy Snelson, Adam Hickey, Alistair Corry, Rhys Shannon and Mal Barnes have been winning plenty of the footy. For the Bloods Dalton Sanderson, Aaron Findlay, Matt Neill and Nathan Tresize have been working hard up forward while Adrian Hickey, Aaron Morham, Jacob Hore and Daniel Carey have been working hard around the ground with support from Bloods stalwarts David Farrell, Scott Baldwin and Kenny Chellew. The Bloods will no doubt be competitive for a period but the Purples should be victors on their home ground.
Bye – Deni Rams, Barooga, Congupna, Rumbalara, Moama.
Selections – Echuca United, Finley, Cobram, Nathalia.
Sean Robinson will notch up his 150th Senior milestone this Saturday against Echuca United, match played at Echuca. Sean's twin brother Dylan played his 150 Senior milestone in Round 14. Sean's achievements include 2012 Club Best & Fairest, he has also featured in Murray Football League representative squads as with representing NSW. Both Sean and his brother Dylan have come through the Mulwala junior ranks and are arguably the best red headed twins to pull on a Mulwala jumper.
Echuca United's Jake Guinan will play his 100th Senior milestone against Mulwala, match played at Echuca.
ALSO - in the Reserves goalkicking - Mulwala's Dylan Flanagan is on 97 goals for the 2013 season.... getting close to the 100
By Neale Hawks
