SHEPPARTON UNITED V TATURA
This will be an interesting game between two teams desperate for a win.
They both sit at 1-4, with the Demons losing its past four games while the Dogs will be desperate to get back on the winners’ list after two losses on the trot.
United gave up an eight-goal first quarter last weekend and coach Duane Hueston will be working on his team having a strong start to the game against the Dogs.
Marcus Wattie, Lewis Stanton (five goals), Oscar Ryan, Adam Pigatto, Mitchell Roche and Jayden Magro (three goals) were some of the Demons that helped them win the final three quarters.
If they can put together four quarters then they will fancy themselves in winning the four points.
Michael Archer, Sean McAllister, Tim Wilson, Ethan Penrith, Mitchell Elliott and Harley McCarthy will be important for the Dogs.
There is no doubt that coach Paul Barnard would have been a little disappointed by the fact his team couldn’t get the chocolates at Rochester last weekend.
He knows that it will take some time for his Dogs to gel in 2023.
And with that, I am going for the Demons to kick a winning score against the Dogs.
Tip: Shepparton United.
SEYMOUR V SHEPPARTON SWANS
Seymour is flying at 5-0 while the Swans are a work in progress under new coach Jedd Wright.
The Swans were able to be much more competitive last weekend in its 20-point defeat to last year’s runner-up Euroa.
The Lions were able to get the job done against last year’s preliminary finalist.
2021 Morrison Medallist, Jack O’Sullivan played his best game of the season while he had support from Jack Murphy, Ben Cooney, Huw Jones and Nathan Beattie.
Diesel Batey, Max Clohesy, Zac Banch, Andrew Riordan and Nathan Hrovat were good for the Swans in their loss to the Magpies.
If they can continue that good form, then they will fancy themselves to go the distance with the undefeated Lions.
Tip: Seymour.
MANSFIELD V SHEPPARTON
Mansfield will be looking to return to the winners’ list when it welcomes Shepparton to the High Country.
The Bears are 1-4, but they have been building each week.
Bryce Stephenson, Ned Byrne, Tyron Baden, Adam De Cicco and Mitchell Brett were the Bears that worked overtime to keep them competitive against the reigning premier.
After giving up six goals in the first quarter, the Bears lost the final three quarters six goals to three.
Co-coaches Xavier Stevenson and Ted Lindon will be looking to build on that effort during the final three quarters against the Eagles.
Cody George, Tom Dunstan, Brett Mahoney, Ben Les and Lachlan Murphy-Dale will be looking to lead the way for the Eagles who will welcome back Frazer Dale and potentially Cam Arnold.
For mine, the Eagles will win to improve their season record to 4-2.
Tip: Mansfield.
EUROA V KYABRAM
This should be a really good contest to show where both these teams are at before the interleague bye.
Kyabram has only lost the one game – v Echuca in round 2 while Euroa to Seymour in round 3.
The Bombers will be eager to turn the tables on the Pies after losing to them in last year’s elimination final.
But that said, coach Paul Newman won’t be worrying too much about that. His focus will be on what they are doing well and how to expose any weaknesses in the Pies game plan.
Brad Whitford, Will Golds, Rhys Clark, Kaine Herbert, Thomas Holman and Kyle Mueller will be responsible for doing that and turning the tables on the Pies.
Ryan Pendlebury played his best game for the Pies, while ruckman, Andrew Smith continues to dominate.
Will Hayes, Matthew Ivill and Andrew Bell have been others that have been in strong form for the Pies who are hoping to regain Gus Varley and JD Hayes for this big four-point game.
Tip: Euroa.
MOOROOPNA V ROCHESTER
Mooroopna has a tricky assignment in trying to avoid a third straight loss when it welcomes Rochester to the Cattery.
Coach John Lamont acknowledged his Cats have just done enough to win the three games this season.
He says they need to turnaround their slow starts.
Against Seymour they gave 11 (9.2.56) scoring shots in the first quarter and against Kyabram 10 (5.5.35) scoring shots.
And he will be reminding his players to not take Rochester lightly despite their 1-4 record.
He says they will come to the Cattery with confidence having recording their first win last weekend.
Daniel Johnston, Ethan Hunt, Dom Gugliotti, Coby James, Keelin Betson and Chris Nield will be charged with the responsibility of leading the way for the Cats.
Joseph Atley, Reid Gordon (three goals), Mitch Cricelli (two goals), Nicholas O’Connor and Matt Kellett will be important for the visitors.
But I think the Cats have too much to play for to let this one slip through their paws.
Tip: Mooroopna.
ECHUCA V BENALLA
This is a massive challenge for the Saints as they make the long trip across to the Port of the Murray to take on the reigning premier.
The Saints are hoping for a better result than the last meeting on the Murray River.
To help them do that, ruckman Joshua Marchbank, Nicholas Brazil, Jarrad Waite (six goals), James Martiniello and Henry Hill will be important for the visitors.
Co-coach Samuel Reid is relishing his elevation to the leadership group in 2023.
He has been outstanding for the reigning premier who haven’t hit their straps as yet.
He will look to get support from Logan Prout, Curtis Townrow, Corbin Anderson, Will Monahan and Jack McHale to remain undefeated.
The Murray Bombers will hopefully regain some of their premiership stars who have missed games in the opening five weeks of the season, including premiership co-coach Andrew Walker.
Even if those guys aren’t back, the Murray Bombers will be too strong for the Saints.
Tip: Echuca.