ROCHESTER V MANSFIELD
Mansfield makes one of the longest trips in the league when it travels to Moon Oval to take on Rochester.
The Eagles are in good form having won against Shepparton at home while Tigers were unable to get the business done at Mooroopna.
Lachlan Murphy-Dale and Ben Christopher were both outstanding in the win over the Bears sharing in nine goals.
They continued that good form for the GVL against the O&M.
If they can continue that good form and get support from the likes of Dirk Koenen, Ben Les, Mitchell White and Brett Mahoney they will be favourite to get the win.
The Tigers will look to Joseph Atley, Matt Kellett, Bailey Wileman, Sean Williams and Mitch Cricelli to lead the way to try and guide them to a second win of the season.
Tip: Mansfield.
BENALLA V MOOROOPNA
Mooroopna will be out to consolidate its place in the top six when it heads over to the Rose City to take on Benalla.
The Saints are struggling with a few experienced key players out of the team and they will have to be on their game to curb the influence of Jackson Trengove.
Trengove played his best game since joining the Cats, booting 10 goals to single handedly win the game off his own boot.
Ethan Hunt, Bryce Rutherford, Ben Woods, Jack Hunt and interleague defender Dom Gugliotti will be looking to lend a hand to Trengove.
David Mennen, Christopher Welsh, Jordan Wolff, Nicholas Brazil and Chris Bamford will try to lead the way for a Saints team hoping to regain Jarrod Waite after he missed last round’s loss to Echuca.
Tip: Mooroopna.
SHEPPARTON V SHEPPARTON SWANS
This is an interesting match-up for many reasons.
Both sit on one win for 2023, hoping to kick start their season and remain in the finals mix.
For the loser, playing finals could be beyond them, but for the winner the season will remain live.
Max Clohesy, Joeve Cooper, Zac Banch, Nathan Horvat, Bowen Calogero and Andrew Riordan will be looking to lead the way for the Swans team that hopes to regain a few key players back from injury including ex-North Melbourne player Jamie McMillan.
The Bears will look to Lewis McShane to continue his strong form in front of goals where he booted five majors.
It was McShane’s best game since he joined the Bears.
If he can continue that good form and get support from the likes of Mitchell Brett, Anthony Andronaco, Tyler Larkin, Tanner Madigan and Adam DeCicco, then Bears should be in front at the final siren.
Tip: Shepparton.
KYABRAM V SEYMOUR
This is intriguing match-up for a variety of reasons.
I still remain unsure about the credentials of both these teams even though they have lost one game between them.
And when I say credentials, I mean premiership ones.
I had both of them in my top six and so far, they have probably exceeded their own expectations, with Seymour 6-0 and Kyabram 5-1.
Kyabram has claimed some good scalps as well while the Lions did a number on its neighbouring rival Euroa and won away at Mooroopna.
So, both of them deserve to be where they are.
This will be a test for both of them and Paul Newman and Ben Davey will welcome this contest to see where they are at 5pm tonight.
Ben Rigoni, Jack O’Sullivan, Jack Murphy, Rory Scopel and Huw Jones will be looking to lead the way for the Lions while Thomas Holman, Zachary Norris, Aidan Robinson, Toby Wooller and Liam Ogden will look to do likewise for the Bombers.
This should be a cracking contest between two teams that are right in the premiership windows with two different game styles.
I am going for the Bombers in what should be a fantastic game of country football.
Tip: Kyabram
TATURA V EUROA
Euroa will be looking to consolidate its place in the top six when it travels to the kennel to take on Tatura.
The Bulldogs come into the contest off the back of a grinding two goal win over Shepparton United while Euroa will be looking to bounce back after a home loss to Kyabram.
The Magpies kicked six of their seven goals in a barnstorming second quarter against the Bombers, but then added only one other goal across the remaining three quarters.
It will be something that coach Scott Rowan and his team would have reviewed and hope to improve against the Bulldogs.
Chris Ryan, Michael Archer, Andrew Ciavarella, Ethan Penrith, Daniel Weetra and Harley McCarthy will be the Dogs trying to lead the way while the Pies will look to Lachlan Hill, Matthew Ivill, Ben Giobbi, Jack McKernan, Will Hayes and interleague forward Jett Trotter to kick them to a winning score at Tatura Park.
Tip: Euroa.
ECHUCA V SHEPPARTON UNITED
This is a massive challenge for Shepparton United as it travels to the Port of the Murray to take on the reigning premier.
Echuca is flying at 6-0 and with a percentage in excess of 250.
And, the scary thing for the contenders, is it still has players to return to the line-up which will only make them better.
Mitchell Roche, Declan Newbound, Adam Pigatto, Joel Serra, Mitchell Black and Jayden Magro will be doing their best to go the distance with the well-drilled Murray Bombers.
If they don’t go the four quarters, then the likes of Logan Prout, Samuel Reid, Matthew Lias, Jack McHale, Corbin Anderson and Riley Smith will take the game away from them.
The Demons’ aim is to start well to ensure they are competitive for long periods.
That said, Echuca for mine will be too strong for the visitors.
Tip: Echuca.
