MANSFIELD V BENALLA
Mansfield has made a brilliant start to 2022 and it will be looking to continue that form at home today against neighbour Benalla. Christopher Welsh, Jake Pallpratt, Joshua Marchbank, Jordan Wolff (five goals) and Will O’Donoghue will need to continue their good form and at the same time the likes of William Chiller, Brett Mahoney, Ben Christopher, Sam Thomson and Tom McDonagh will be looking to ensure the home team doesn’t get ahead of itself. For mine, the Eagles are the real deal and they will prove too good for the visitors. Tip: Mansfield.
ROCHESTER V TATURA
This will be intriguing match-up for many reasons. Can the plucky Bulldogs inflict more pain on the Tigers or will the home team break its duck?
Tatura was gallant on the opening day when beaten by the reigning premier and then it produced a come-from-behind win last weekend on Good Friday.
Chris Ryan, Mitchell Elliott, James Bennett, Brad Ryan, Comanche Walls and Ben Cosgriff will be important in trying to lead the visitors to victory. Tip: Rochester.
SHEPPARTON V SHEPPARTON SWANS
Shepparton and Shepparton Swans will be after bragging rights when they go head-to-head.
Both have a win each to their names and that came against Greater Shepparton rival Shepparton United. Both were good for their win and I think the man who can prove the difference today is Anthony Andronaco. He booted a match-winning seven goals last weekend for the Bears and if the Swans don’t have a plan and a strong defensive player shut him down then it could spell disaster for them.
Stuart Hobijn-Allen, Tyler Bell, Jordan McGregor and Jed Warrin will be important in getting supply to Andronaco. Tip: Shepparton.
KYABRAM V ECHUCA
The two best teams of the past two seasons (2019 v 2021) will go head-to-head in one of the matches of the round.
Both have won their opening two games, only for the Murray Bombers to have their opening day win stripped for playing an ineligible player in the win over the Tigers.
They bounced back emphatically last weekend by making light work of Euroa while the Bombers did likewise to Rochester after a tough first-up win over Tatura. Tip: Echuca.
EUROA V SEYMOUR
This is a huge game in the context of the season for Euroa.
0-2 and coach Scott Rowan will want to avoid a third straight defeat. It doesn’t get an easier as the Magpies welcome Seymour for their traditional Anzac Day clash. Ben Rigoni, Todd Lawrence, Nathan Beattie, Harley Taylor-Lloyd (five goals) and Clayton Salmon will be trying to inflict more pain on the Pies and coach Ben Davey would have taken plenty of positives from last week’s defeat at Mansfield. They will be desperate to ensure they can chalk up their first win. Tip: Euroa.
MOOROOPNA V SHEPPARTON UNITED
Mooroopna will be out to make its best start to a season for a few years when it takes on Shepparton United. The Cats have recorded two big wins over Shepparton and Shepparton Swans to start 2022. They will be looking to add a third Greater Shepparton scalp to its belt.
Lucas Caccaviello was a star in the win last weekend with five goals, while Ben Hicks, Jack Hunt, Nathan Basile and Darcy Russell played their part in the big win. If they can continue their form and keep the likes of Sheldon Bogdan, Joel Serra, Charlie Di Stefano, Liam Serra, Oscar Ryan and Edward Adams at bay then I think they should be able to chalk up a third win. Tip: Mooroopna.
