ECHUCA (2nd) v EUROA (11th)
Just six disposals separated these teams last time they met, but Echuca won by 7 goals.
Both teams had 41 inside 50 entries, but Echuca’s tackling was a stand-out, finishing +39 in this category, including a 16-4 forward 50 tackle count – thanks to Jackson Stewart and Makai Cronin. One of Echuca’s unsung heroes, Lachlan Hogan, played his best game for the Murray Bombers in this game last year – 10 tackles, 10 clearances, and 33 disposals. Cohen Paul took 5 intercept marks for Euroa in last year’s game and, if he plays down back instead of in attack like he did last weekend, he could line up on another VFL listed player in Hugh Byrne (if he misses selection with North Melbourne, who had a bye last weekend). Sam Reid returned for Echuca last week with 26 disposals, while ruckman Darby Jones kicked his third bag of 3 goals for the season.
Prediction: Echuca by 46 points.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 13, 2025 – Echuca by 44 points.
SHEPP UNITED (7th) v BENALLA (10th)
Nick Warnock took 17 marks (6 intercepts) in the corresponding fixture last year and the Saints had Nathan Weight take 6 inside 50 marks and kick 4 goal. Warnock was a little down on his usual numbers last week, but Rochester was dominant with its 110 point win. The Saints face a rampant Fraser Hicks was the top rated player, now the league’s 16th ranked player. Last year he had 178 ranking points on the back of 41 disposals and 8 Rebound 50s. His battle with Chris Welsh, who had 158 points for Benalla in the same game, but Hicks is coming off a 34 disposal and 10 clearance game against Kyabram. Jensen Dowling, fresh off 41 hit outs against Zac Norris, has another big task in opposition ruckman Mark Marriott – the 13th ranked player in the competition.
Prediction: United by 29 points.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 11, 2025 – Benalla won by 18 points.
KYABRAM (6th) v MOOROOPNA (9th)
Kai Madgwick led all comers with 45 disposals in the game between these teams last season. His form has continued in 2025, averaging 32.8 disposals (5th in the league). Star Kyabram defender Brad Whitford had 29 touches last year and has been in terrific form, ranked 27th overall in the league. Jack Russell dominated last year, topping the game for tackles (12) and also having 31 disposals. He is currently the 8th ranked player in the competition. Dan Tuddenham’s five goals for the Cats last week was a match winning performance against Seymour and with support from Coby James (140 ranking points), Keelin Betson (11 tackles) and Dom Gugliotti (28 disposals at 89% efficiency) they seem to have their season back on track.
Prediction: Kyabram by 28 points.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 7, 2025 Kyabram won by 70 points.
SEYMOUR (4th) v ROCHESTER (8th)
When they last met Rochester won the clearances +15, hit outs +32, and had 12 more inside 50s. They did, however, lose the tackle count 65-91 to the Lions and scraped home by nine points. Rochester is coming off its biggest score of the season, 161 points against Benalla, while Seymour didn’t score a goal in the first half of its match and despite kicking eight goals to seven after half time lost by 17 points. Riley Mason kicked four of those eight goals, but the Lions had no other multiple goalkickers. Mitch Trewhella was back to his best on the weekend, kicking three goals to go with 36 disposals, and his match up with Nic Quigg in the middle will be a highlight of this game.
Prediction: Seymour by 7 points.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 10, 2025 – Rochester won by 9 points.
TATURA (12th) v SHEPP SWANS (3rd)
Mark Kovacevic had a massive 75 hit outs and was the top ranked player (159 points) when these teams played last year. He will be missing, which will make life a bit easier for Tatura big man Ryan Young, but nothing else points to a Tatura upset. The Bulldogs remain the only winless team in the league after eight rounds, but continue to provide some highlights through the statistical returns of players like Tom Sullivan, Jimmy Bennett, Keiran Andrew and Harry Murdoch. Ethan Warburton remains a Top 10 player in the league, across half back for the Swans, while brother Ollie had 18 disposals and kicked a goal for Carlton in the VFL on the weekend.
Prediction: Swans by 54 points.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 15, 2025 – Swans by 89 points.
MANSFIELD (5th) v SHEPP BEARS (1st)
Last time these teams played, in week one of the 2025 finals series, ruckman Ash Holland was the highest rated player (169 ranking points), Billy Hogan kicked five goals and guided his team to victory and Luke Smith had a game high 31 touches. Smith and Holland are in terrific form, but Hogan missed last week’s game as the Eagles surrendered a 28 point half time lead to have the first draw of the season with Shepp Swans. Sam Thomson has been a star for the Eagles, while Callum Brown now has 15 goals for the season after bagging another three. He kicked only 12 for the entire season last year. He and Nathan Buchanan were the only multiple goalkickers for the Eagles and they face a defensive unit that is has given almost 100 points less than the next best defence.
Prediction: Bears by 15 points.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Finals Round 1 – Mansfield won by 22 points.
