BENALLA V SEYMOUR
Seymour will be looking to continue its winning form when it makes the short trip down the Hume Highway to tackle Benalla. The Lions have bounced back into final calculations after winning five games on the bounce. And, they have already beaten the Saints this year, so they feel confident they can do the double over them. Joshua Marchbank, James Martiniello, Luke Dunne, Tom O’Brien and Will O’Donoghue will be doing their best to take the contest up to the visiting Lions. In a boost for the Saints former Carlton and North Melbourne forward Jarrod Waite will line-up for his junior club today. Ben Rigoni, Seamus Feery, Nathan Beattie, Rory Scopel, Dylan Scopel and Todd Lawrence will be looking to continue the Saints woes in front of goal this winter where they have really struggled to kick any big scores. Tip: Seymour.
MANSFIELD V SHEPPARTON UNITED
Mansfield will be desperate to return to the winners list and try to build on the block of wins which has seen them sit in fourth spot behind Mooroopna on percentage. The Eagles have lost two of its past three games and coach Chad Owens will be still having nightmares to try understand how they lost to the Lions while leading by 11 points with a minute to play. He knows he can’t get that game back now. The visitors will be looking to inflict more pain on the home team and to do that they will need the likes of Sheldon Bogdan, Edward Adams, Kyle Clarke, Mitchell Trevaskis and Charlie Di Stefano to lead the way. The Eagles will look to Tom McDonagh, Dirk Koenen, Patrick Marks, Ross Brown, Tim Costigan and skipper Brett Mahoney to see them return to the winners’ list. Tip: Mansfield.
KYABRAM V TATURA
Kyabram will be looking to protect its hold on its place in the top six when it welcomes Tatura. The Dogs have really struggled in the past two weeks, scoring only two goals in their heavy losses to Euroa and Seymour. Coach Paul Kirby will be hoping to recall a few key players that have missed those losses and then hope the likes of Tom Sullivan, Chris Ryan, Comanche Walls, Michael Archer and Lincoln Wellington can help them take the game to the reigning premier. When the teams played on the opening day of the season, the Bombers struggled to shake off the Bulldogs. Tip: Kyabram.
MOOROOPNA V ROCHESTER
This match has taken on extra significance for both teams’ finals aspirations. Rochester comes into the contest off the back of a gritty win over Kyabram to ensure it retained its place in the top six. The Tigers are missing so many players from their best 21, but coach Steven Stroobants would have been proud of his boys’ effort last weekend to overcome the much more fancied Kyabram. He knows the team can’t rest on their laurels with Seymour ready to pounce if they slip up. Chris Jansen, Nathan McCarty, Mitch Bright, Jordy Harper and Dan Russell will be important players for the Tigers if they are going to back-up their character-building win of last week. While the Cats will look to Ben Hicks, Jack Hunt, Liam Betson, Kydan Atkinson, Isaac Dowling and Chris Nield to ensure they get the win and stay inside the top three. Tip: Mooroopna.
SHEPPARTON SWANS V ECHUCA
Shepparton Swans will welcome the challenge of the all-conquering Echuca today. The coaching group will tell its players to embrace the challenge and not fear the enormity of the task. Coach Andrew Riordan has been in good form, leading from the front as has Bryden Squire. He went at 94 percent efficiency with his disposals in the win over United. Youngsters, Diesel Batey, Zac Banch and Kurtis Dixon continue to blossom under the guidance of the Swans’ coaching group. Ruory Kirkby will take some stopping after he feasted on the Saints last weekend. He booted 10 goals in the 25-goal win. Jackson Stewart, Benjamin Reid, Andrew Walker and Jack McHale will be looking to give him plenty of opportunities today to kick the Murray Bombers to another win.
Tip: Echuca.
SHEPPARTON V EUROA
Euroa will be shooting for a 10-straight win today when it takes on Shepparton at the home of football. The Bears have lost their past three games and coach Ted Lindon will be looking for small wins against the in-form Pies. Tyler Larkin, Jayden Dhosi, Jordan McGregor, Miles Rowlands and Anthony Andronaco will be important if the Bears are to be competitive and take up to the visitors. The visitors will look to Andrew Bell, Jacob Gleeson, Ben Giobbi, Erishmiilan Uthayakumar and Jack Hellier to continue their strong form to ensure another big win for the Pies. Tip: Euroa.
