BENALLA V SHEPPARTON UNITED
Benalla will be chasing its first win of 2023 when it welcomes Shepparton United to the Rose City.
The Saints were competitive for most of the match against Mansfield only to fade in the last quarter while the Demons struggled against Euroa.
James Martiniello, Jordan Wolff, Nick Mellington, Tom Bennett and Colby Mathieson were the shining lights in the defeat and the Saints hope they can continue that form.
Mitchell Roche, Sheldon Bogdan, Damien Pigatto, Marcus Wattie and Adam Pigatto tried hard to lead the way for the Demons last weekend.
If the Saints can get the ball into Josh Mellington, he could prove a handful to match.
And the Saints will be hoping to welcome back a few of their stars who missed the trip to Mansfield.
I am thinking if the Saints can limit the influence of Jaydon Magro of the Demons, then they will chalk up their first win.
Tip: Benalla.
KYABRAM V MOOROOPNA
Mooroopna will be looking to bounce back to the winners’ list after it was comprehensively beaten by Seymour on its home deck last start.
While the Bombers will be looking to improve its win-loss record to 4-1.
Premiership utility Jason Morgan will be looking to continue his strong form to the season as will midfielder, Kaine Herbert.
Others looking to chip and lend support will be Charlie Barnett, Zachary Norris, Liam Ogden, Kyle Mueller and Anthony DePasquale.
Cats coach John Lamont will be looking to address the slow start to last weekend’s game and ensure it doesn’t happen too often.
He will look to Ryan Kilpatrick, Bryce Rutherford, Jack Hunt, Jackson Trengove and Ethan Hunt coupled with the return of Liam Betson and Keelan Betson.
Both boys missed last week’s loss to the Lions.
This is going to be a real arm wrestle and I think we will find out a fair bit about both teams by 5pm.
I am going for the Bombers to win this one.
Tip: Kyabram.
SEYMOUR V MANSFIELD
This should be a fantastic game of football.
The Lions are on fire at 4-0 while the Eagles are 3-1.
But it is the performances of the past fortnight that has many talking up the Lions.
They have done a number on premiership contenders Euroa and Mooroopna.
And what would have been pleasing for Lions coach Ben Davey is that different players have bobbed up to lead the way.
He knows his team will need to put time into Sam Thomson, Benjamin Reardon, Ben Les, Cody George, Jack Hutchins, Brett Mahoney and Ben Christopher if they want to remain undefeated.
He will look to Nathan Fowler (six goals), Ricky Schraven, Nathan Beattie, Rory Scopel, Bradley Lynch (if not playing VFL), Ben Rigoni, Jack O’Sullivan, Michael Hartley and Riley Mason.
I think the Lions are playing strong football at the minute and that should be enough to see them get past the Eagles.
Tip: Seymour.
SWANS V EUROA
This will be a massive challenge for the young and developing Shepparton Swans.
They will be desperate to bounce back after a big loss at the hands of the reigning premier Echuca last weekend.
While Euroa will look to keep the winning form going after it bounced back with emphatic win over Shepparton United in round 4.
Will Hayes has settled in so well.
I have no doubt that he would be right up there when it comes to the Morrison Medal.
Max Gleeson made a successful return for the Pies, JD Hayes continues to get better with every game while defender Adam Giobbi and Jack McKernan were others to fire last weekend.
Jett Trotter (five goals) and returning Erishmiilan Uthayakumar (five goals) will prove a handful for the Swans back six.
Nathan Hrovat, Quade Johnstone, Mason Pedretti, James Auld and Zac Alderton will be important for the Swans as they look chalk up their second win of the season.
Tip: Euroa.
ROCHESTER V TATURA
Rochester will be chasing its first win of 2023 when it welcomes Tatura.
Outside of the opening day of the season against Echuca, the Dogs have been really competitive despite only winning at Benalla in round 3.
Coach Paul Barnard has them playing a really good brand of football.
On the other hand, the Tigers have struggled this season.
That said, there has been glimpses of what they are can do.
They played their best four quarter game last weekend against Shepparton, going down by 11 points.
Coach Ash Watson will look to Joseph Atley, Hamish Hooppell, Bailey Wileman, Reid Gordon and Matt Kellett to lead the way.
For the Dogs, Harley McCarthy, Michael Archer, Ethan Penrith, Brodie Meyers and James Nihill will be looking to continue their good form to lead the visitors to their second win of the season.
I think they are playing well enough to walk away from Moon Oval and return to Tatura Park with the points.
Tip: Tatura.
SHEPPARTON V ECHUCA
Shepparton faces another big challenge when it welcomes the red-hot reigning premier Echuca at Deakin Reserve.
It will be the first time the Murray Bombers have been back to the home football since their triumph over Euroa last September.
Bears co-coach Xavier Stevenson will welcome the challenge.
He will look to Adam De Cicco, Connor Fleming, Anthony Andronaco and Bryce Stephenson to try and lead the way.
That said, he and fellow co-coach Ted Lindon will know that only a four-quarter effort will be good enough to match Echuca.
The visitors will look to Jack Evans, Kane Morris, Logan Prout, Bailey Gray, Aiden Mills and co-coach Sam Reid to lead the way.
The Murray Bombers are likely to welcome back some players into the 22 that missed last week’s big win over the Swans.
And, with that I think they will defeat the Bears.
Tip: Echuca.
