By Sam Sarancino
ECHUCA V MANSFIELD
The moment of truth has arrived for Echuca and Mansfield as they look to take the first step towards qualification for the September 25 decider.
Both have earnt the right to play in the qualifying final after outstanding home and away seasons.
Echuca finished with a 17-1 record while Mansfield won 15 of its 18 matches, including its last seven games.
Many pundits believe the Murray Bombers are a sure thing to at least qualify for the grand final and the favourite to claim its first premiership since 2002.
For mine, the Murray Bombers game style has stood tall all season and I expect them to do so again today.
Leading goal-kickers for Echuca: Ruory Kirkby 70, Dan Willis 27, Liam Tenace 21 and Sam Willoughby 20.
Leading goal-kickers for Mansfield: Ben Christopher 44, Cam Arnold 43 and Will Foster 40.
Tip: Echuca
Last meeting: R4 – Echuca 17.14.116 d Mansfield 7.4.46
EUROA V KYABRAM
Euroa will be looking to advance to the second week of the finals when it takes on the reigning Kyabram. Are we about to see the end of an era with the all-conquering Kyabram?
The Bombers have won three of the last four premierships, their last in 2019 when it accounted for Echuca. That was the last completed GVL season due to COVID-19.
The Magpies have done an excellent job to win 14 of their 18 games this winter.
Jayden Gleeson, Jack Hellier, Andrew Bell, Harrison Jarvie, Nate Trotter and ruckman Andrew Smith will be important players in trying to lead the way for the Pies.
While the reigning premier will look to Brad Whitford, Zachary Norris, Joshua Dillon, Kaine Herbert, Jason Morgan and Lachie Smith to try an inspire them to overcome the Pies.
The Bombers have an interesting season.
They have had to grind out some wins, but that helps build resilience, especially as the Bombers blood more and more youngsters into the team.
For mine, the Pies are playing the better football.
I think the Pies win to take on the winner of the Echuca v Mansfield game for a spot in the September 25 decider.
Leading goal-kickers for Kyabram: Cooper Vick 30, Lachie Smith 28, Tom Holman 28, Anthony DePasquale 27 and Kayne Pettifer 18.
Leading goal-kickers for Euroa: Jett Trotter 43 goals, Erishmilan Uthayakumar 42 goals and Tristan Davies 36 goals.
Tip: Euroa
Last meeting: R7 – Euroa 10.11.71 d Kyabram 8.7.55
ROCHESTER V MOOROOPNA
This will be an interesting contest between two of the league’s great stories.
Rochester had to overcome injury and adversity to win its final five games to qualify for the finals while Mooroopna engineered its best home and away win in years to book its place in September for the first time since 2014 by defeating minor premier Echuca.
When the teams last clashed the game was over at quarter time. The Cats blasted the visiting Tigers off the park with seven first quarter goals.
Tiger coach Steven Stroobants will be aware of that fact as will Cats coach John Lamont.
Ethan Hunt, Ben Hicks, Christopher Nield, Keelin Betson, Jed Woods and the returning Dom Gugliotti will be important for the Cats as will Jackson Trengove.
Joseph Atley, Shaun Atley, Adam McPhee, Nathan Kay, Hugh Hamilton and Mitch Cricelli will be important for the Tigers to continue into the second week.
The game will be won and lost in the midfield.
Ex-Kangaroo Shaun Atley will play a pivotal role and the Cats hierarchy made need to consider putting a tag on him.
For mine, I do like the Cats willingness to take on the game at all costs.
If they can execute that fast-paced game style, then they win and advance to week 2 of the finals’ series.
Leading goal-kickers for Mooroopna: Chris Nield 77 goals, Lucas Caccaviello 17 goals and Jackson Trengove 14 goals (in six games).
Leading goal-kickers for Rochester: Steven Stroobants 46, Mitch Cricelli 44 and Hugh Hamilton 15 (in seven games).
Tip: Mooroopna
Last meeting: R12 – Mooroopna 15.8.98 d Rochester 5.12.42
