Cooler weather is forecast for Saturday, as the Mallee Football League heats up and heads into round 4.
The undefeated Beulah kick off the first match of the round as they host Jeparit-Rainbow at their home ground. Coming off a two week bye, Beulah have been able to manage a few injuries
and will be close to playing a full strength side this week.
Jeparit-Rainbow have shown that they are capable of exploding out of the blocks and will need to get the jump on the Blues early and test their fitness. Brodie Grant will need to be busy in front of the goals again this week for the Lakers, while Luke Werner and Elliot Bath will be hoping their
good form through the midfield continues this week. Shaun Monohan has started off the 2014 season in terrific form for Beulah and will need to be closely watched. Sam Martin has been solid in the backline and will need to continue to create run, while at the other end, Dennis Redden and Lachie Foott have proven that they are an imposing duo.
The second match of the round sees Hopetoun welcome Walpeup-Underbool to the Hopetoun football ground in what will be a closely fought battle. Both teams are yet to register their first win for the season and will be a lot of eyes closely watching how these two teams shape up against each other. Hopetoun made amends for a poor first round showing by matching it with
reigning premier Woomelang-Lascelles for much of the match.
Coleman Schache proved what a class act he his last week and inspired the likes of Liam Price and Jackson Fisher through the middle. They will need to continue their form again this week against the experienced Walpeup-Underbool midfield brigade who are capable of getting on top of their opponents very quickly.
Luke Nathan has been performing well in front of the goals for the Roo's but will need asistance if they are to kick a big score this week. Key playmakers David Piasente, Kane Munro, and Josh Stone will need to be on top of their game if they are to shut down a rejuvinated Hopetoun side.
The final match of the round is proving to be a difficult game to tip, as the undefeated Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers travel to Blackburn Park to take on the in-form Ouyen United. After narrowly going down in their first match, the Demons put in some commanding performances and dominated their next two. Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers are similarly in red hot form and will be fresh after coming off a two week bye.
Both teams are kicking big scores and finding multiple avenues to goal. Lawrence Angwin and Bradley Vallance have been dominant up forward for the Demons, while the Tigers relishing the return of Jarrod Arentz who has slotted in alongside Simon Weekly and Cliff Ryan. Ouyen have plenty of young runners who are capable of taking the game away from their opposition very quickly, but Sea Lake are experienced and are undefeated for a reason.
Woomelang-Lascelles have the bye this week.
By Daniel Huttig
