ECHUCA V ROCHESTER
Campaspe Shire rivals go into battle with a grand-final spot the prize for the winner.
The teams have clashed twice during the home and away season for one win apiece.
Rochester won the earlier meeting at Victoria Park while the reigning premier turned the tables on their rival at Moon Oval in the final month of the home and away season.
The Murray Bombers produced one of their best wins of the season last Saturday in the qualifying final, clawing their way back from giving up the first six goals of the match.
The win was probably set-up by restricting the plucky Bears when they kicked against the wind in the third and then they stormed home with an eight-goal last quarter to run out six goal winners.
They had 8 different goal-kickers, including Daniel Willis who went forward in the second half for the Murray Bombers to be one of those eight goal-kickers, having spent the bulk of 2024 in defence.
Kane Morris (150th game), Cameron Valentine, Mitchell Wales, Ben Reid, Sam Willoughby, Sam Reid and Jackson Stewart were some of the blokes who lead from the front to will their team over the line in the last quarter.
The Tigers also had 8 different goal-kickers in their win over Euroa.
Mitch Cricelli bagged six and Dillon Williams chipped in with 3.
Andy Henderson, Mitchell Trewhella and Ryan O’Keefe were important throughout the four quarters and they will need to again play well to give their team of qualifying for their first grand final since 2008 when it won defeated Seymour
Mitchell Bright will marshal the defence and he will need the support of his fellow defenders to keep Echuca to a losing total while the experience of Shaun Atley could prove pivotal if the Tigers can go the distance.
The Tigers form had been patchy in the final month of the season, but coach Ash Watson would have been pleased with the four-quarter effort to end Euroa’s season last Sunday.
That said, I think this will be too big a task for the Tigers. Tip: Echuca.
MOOROOPNA V SHEPPARTON
Mooroopna has nothing to lose when it takes on the red-hot Shepparton in the first semi-final.
The Cats finished fourth and will welcome that the pressure is on the Bears to at the very least qualify for the second last week of the finals having finished equal first (second on percentage) at the conclusion of the home and away rounds.
The Bears raced out of the blocks in the qualifying final at Tatura Park against the minor premier and reigning premier Echuca.
They kicked the first six goals of the match and then only kicked a further two goals for the remainder of the match as the Murray Bombers chipped away at the margin until a blistering eight-goal last quarter to leave the Bears licking their wounds after losing by 35 points.
Ruckman and Morrison Medal favourite, Ashley Holland had a great battle in the ruck, while Connor Fleming, Xavier Stevenson, Mitchell Brett, Edward Lindon and Luke Smith were important for the Bears.
The Bears are likely to regain Tyler Larkin and Jacob Watts back from injury while talented youngster Ned Byrne could be included in the 22 after his Murray Bushrangers’ commitments came to an end last weekend.
Mooroopna showed some really good signs during its narrow seven-point win.
Coach John Lamont knows his boys will need to make the most of their opportunities.
They had more inside 50s against the Bombers, but they proved a little wasteful, which meant the Bombers stayed in the hunt to win the game.
He knows they can’t do that against the Bears as they will punish you the other way with Smith, Lewis McShane and Trent Herbert.
Bryce Rutherford, Isaac Dowling, Ben Hicks, Coby McCarthy and Keelin Betson will be important for the Cats while Lamont knows that Daniel Johnstone probably needs to kick a bag for his chargers to be a chance of causing an upset.
He will implore his young chargers to be bold but at the same time play Cats footy especially from their kids.
They will need to bring the tackling and pressure which are key features of the Cats DNA.
I think they can push the Bears, but I think they won’t be good enough to sneak past them. Tip: Shepparton.
