There were some big results in Murray League Football last week. Echuca United announced themselves as the team to beat for the 2013 flag with a solid 26 point victory over Mulwala on the Lions home ground. Finley also let everyone know they will again be contenders, thumping Numurkah by 82 points, and Cobram let Tongala know they still have some work to do, with a 31 point victory.
In other games Deni Rams easily accounted for Barooga, Congupna upset an inaccurate Moama and Nathalia fought hard to eventually defeat an improved Tocumwal side.
This week Echuca United host Numurkah, Barooga confront Mulwala on the rebound, Congupna tackle the Deni Rams, Tongala clash with Moama for the Jones Cup, Nathalia take on ladder leaders Cobram and Rumbalara make the long trek to Finley to play under lights.
Echuca United v Numurkah
The Eagles will look to continue their fantastic start to the season when they take on Numurkah. The Eagles midfield has been in outstanding form this season led by Farran Priest. He is receiving great support from Scott Beattie, Rowan Priest and Clint Starkey, while Duane Hueston and Cam Parker provide dangerous targets up forward. Big men Ash Kirchofer and James Coppock are performing well but will have a tough job against the Blues Chris Oliver this week. Defenders Jake Guinan, Ryan Prendergast and Luke Sanderson will again have a tough job, but should be up to the challenge. For the Blues they will look to bounce back from a disappointing performance last week against the Cats. Their youngsters in the midfield in Beau McKeown and Nick Fothergill, along with the experienced Justin Murphy, Brent Chapman and Jack Miechel will be in for a tough day against the classy Eagles midfielders. Defenders Jake Wilkinson and Dan Buzza will have the big job of containing the Eagles forwards. If the Blues are to cause an upset they need massive games up forward from Dylan Sidebottom and Joel Child. However, on the Eagles home deck they should run out comfortable victors at the end of the day.
Barooga v Mulwala
Mulwala will be desperate to get back on the winners list when they travel to Barooga this week. The Lions were bought down to earth by the Eagles last week but should bounce today against the Hawks. Lions Coach Nick O’Bryan will most likely miss through injury, but Sean Robinson, Kyle Archibald, Dean Bigger, Anthony Giuliano, Chase Strawhorn and Keegan Oliver should step up to the plate and ensure a Lions victory. Barooga will again look to Luke Jarjoura and Chase Saunders to kick their goals with support around the ground from Matt Hendry and Ben Robbins, but the Lions will have a big victory.
Congupna v Deniliquin
Deni Rams make the long trek to Congupna in what should be a fairly close and entertaining game of football. Congupna are travelling above expectations at this stage of the season and will make life difficult for the Rams today on the small Congupna oval. Mitch Sidebottom and Matt Hodgetts are providing the goal scoring power with support from the experienced Heath Barton. While Luke and Paul Kenelley, Kaine Greening Lachlan Sidebottom and Marcus Drum get the job done around the ground. For the Rams Ash Morris has been a real standout so far this season with support from Ricky Gittens, Ryan Chadderton, Simon Maher, Ollie Draffin and Nick Howe. This should be a close game, but I'm going to tip an upset, with the Road to sneak home.
Tongala v Moama
Tongala get the chance to get back on the winners list when they host Moama. The Blues were blown away early last week by Cobram, but fought back solidly for the remainder of the match. They will be after a better start today through their leaders in Dave Newman and Jordan Souter, along with Jarrad Martin, Jimmy Cullum, Matt Ohlsen and James Lovison. While Matt Andrews continues to be a dangerous option up forward with support from Luke McGill. Moama have had Tyler Jones providing a target up forward and Josh Maddox continues to win plenty of the footy. They are 2 Moama players Tonny will have to closely watch along with Jake Kilmartin, Kyle Manley and Paul Van Der Sluys. At home Tonny should bounce back to the winners list in a fairly evenly matched game.
Nathalia v Cobram
Nathalia tackle Cobram in a game which should tell where these 2 sides stand this season. Cobram were very good against Tonny last week, while the Purples had to scrap hard to overcome a determined Tocumwal. The Tigers have some real quality through the midfield in Tom Crapp, Matt Hyde, Sam Gemmill and John Lucas while Nick Tassell creates plenty of run from defence. While Tom Thorson, Ben Ryan, Dylan Ryan and Dean Norris provide targets up forward. The Purples will again rely on Brodie Ross and Jason Limbrick up forward with support around the ground from Jarrod Maskell, Luke Quinn, Alistair Corry, Ben Hitchcock and Adam Hickey. The Purples are missing too many key players at the moment and the Tigers should have an easy victory.
Finley v Rumbalara (Night)
In the final match of the round to be played under lights Saturday night at Finley, the home side take on Rumbalara. The Cats had a big win over Numurkah last week and should continue that form on tonight. Cam Robertson again showed his versatility with 8 goals, while Ryan Bongetti, Matt Jackson, Michael Littlejohn, Tim Robertson and promising junior Allister Clarke will again make life difficult for the visitors. Rumba will look to Levi Power, Brayden Williams, Ryan Hudson and Eric Edwards for a competitive performance, but the Cats at home will run out comfortable victors.
Tocumwal Bye
Selections – Echuca United, Mulwala, Congupna, Tongala, Cobram, Finley.
