The season has come to an end for many of the teams in Murray League football, and perhaps the end of an era for the Tocumwal Football Club. All those clubs not in the finals can now begin the arduous task of appointing coaches and recruiting and retaining players for the 2013 season.
For the 6 remaining teams the business end of the season in Murray League Football has arrived, and it looks to be a very open finals series.
There looks to be 3 genuine Premiership contenders, although any of the teams in the top 6 could defeat each other on their given day.
This weekend is elimination final weekend, a round of cut throat matches where sides either continue their season and keep their dreams and hopes alive, or unfortunately for the losers, end their season abruptly. We have two ripping games this weekend with Finley clashing with Deni Rams at Finley on Saturday night under lights, and on Sunday at Nathalia, Cobram take on Numurkah.
Saturday 31st August 1st Elimination Final @ Finley 6.10 start
Seniors Finley v Deni Rams
Finley take on the Deni Rams in a historic night final at Finley on Saturday night. The Finley Cats will go in as favourites in the first ever Murray League final under lights. The Cats have had their share of injuries this season, while the Rams have also had some injury concerns in recent weeks. The battle will most likely be won in the middle where the Cats Tim Robertson, Ryan Bongetti, Ollie Ford and Kamen Ogilvie confront the Rams Anthony Bull, Ricky Gittens, Ollie Draffin and Ash Morris. The Cats will midfield will also be boosted by the return from suspension of Matt Jackson. Both teams don’t have a key forward capable of kicking a bag full of goals. During the season the Cats have relied on numerous options with ruckman Tim Robertson leading the way with 29 goals and midfielder Ryan Bongetti next on 26 goals. For the Rams midfielder/forwards in Ash Morris 42 goals and Troy Bartlett 29 goals head the leading goal kickers. Finley have small forwards Reid Crowe and Stephen Patten who can be dangerous while youngsters Levi Middleton and Allister Clarke have been consistent contributors all season. The Cats also have a number of defenders who can play all over the ground and have an impact headed by Nick Robertson and Marcus Jackson. The Rams have Dan Jordon, Hayden Barker, Brenton Louden and Brayden Hall who have had good seasons and will look to make an impact.
The Cats won both home and away matches this season, although in their round 14 clash the margin was only 4 points. This should be a very entertaining battle, but Finley on their home ground and experience under lights appear to have the momentum and in form players to keep their season alive.
Reserves Echuca United v Nathalia
The Eagles proved too good for Nathalia in their earlier meeting this season and should again be too strong today.
Under 17’s Finley v Congupna
Finley have lost only 3 games for the season, while Congupna scraped into 6th position after winning their final game. The Cats should progress through to next week.
Under 14’s Tongala v Deni Rams
Tongala should prove too good for the young Rams after easily winning both their earlier encounters this season.
Sunday 1st September 2nd Elimination Final @ Nathalia 2.10 start.
Seniors Cobram v Numurkah
On Sunday Cobram clash with Numurkah it what should also be a very entertaining game of football. These two have meet only once for the season in round 10 when the Cobram Tigers were 10 goal victors. The Tigers midfield is their real strength headed by Tom Crapp, Matt Hyde, Sam Gemmill, Adam Svarc, Tyron Hill and Will Patone. The Blues have an experienced ruckman in Chris Oliver along with their midfield youngsters in Nick Fothergill, Beau McKeown, Tim Arnel and Jordan O’Dwyer. Up forward the Tigers have a number of dangerous mid-sized forwards who rotate through the middle in Tom Thorson 43 goals, John Lucas 33 goals along with Ben Ryan 40 goals and Blake Hicks. The Numurkah defence headed by Jake Wilkinson, Sam Robertson and Jack Miechel will have a big job restricting the Tigers goal scoring options. At The other end veteran Blues key forward Mark Brown with 52 goals left the ground last week with a calf injury and would be in some doubt today. Without Brown the Blues will need Brent Chapman 37 goals and Matt Chapman 26 goals to head the scoring along with Liam Gledhill and Dylan Sidbottom. The Tigers defence will look to Nick Tassell to set them up with his run and Logan Morey, Mark Pennycuick and Phil Bourke to shut down the Blues forwards. While key position players Dylan Ryan and Simon Rudd will play important roles either in defence or up forward.
This should also be a fairly close entertaining clash but the class and experience of the Tigers midfield should see them through to next week.
Reserves Moama v Numurkah
This should be a fairly close game with Moama just favoured to keep their season alive.
Under 17’s Nathalia v Numurkah
The Purples will go in as favourites after comfortably winning their clash earlier this season and victories against the top 2 teams in recent weeks.
Under 14’s Mulwala v Echuca United
In earlier games this season Mulwala have been successful on both occasions in fairly close encounters and should again get over the line.
