GVL round 10 Preview

KYABRAM V BENALLA

This will be an interesting match and one that Kyabram will need to get the win to keep its place in the top six.

Kyabram was good value for their three-goal loss to the undefeated Shepparton last round. Archie Watt, Jason Morgan, Jackson Griffiths, Kaine Herbert, Brad Whitford and Anthony DePasquale were the ones that kept the Bombers close enough all day. In the end, they couldn’t complete the win. But they know that if they can continue their good form then they should make it difficult for the Saints.

The Saints had 8 different goal-kickers in their first win of 2024 which lifted them off the bottom of the ladder and up to 10th. Nick Mellington, William Martiniello (first game since the opening day), Sam Begley, Jordan Wolff and James Martiniello were the standouts, especially in that last quarter when it got close.

I think the Saints will give the Bombers a run for their money, but the home team should get the win.

Tip: Kyabram

SHEPPARTON SWANS V TATURA

It is the last roll of the dice for the Shepparton Swans if they want to kept their flickering finals aspirations alive. At 2-7 to complete the first half of the season, the Swans would be able to find lots of positives, but one of the negatives has been the many close losses.

Outside of one bad loss, the Swans have lost five games by less than 6 points and another by 13 points. Had they at least won two of those games then they would be knocking the door.

On the other hand, the Bulldogs have struggled in 2024 and slumped to the bottom of the ladder after Benalla’s win last round.

Chris Ryan, Brad Ryan, Sean McAllister, Xavier Hutchison and Nicholas Watt will be doing their best to try end a run of eight straight defeats in a row.

Will Dwyer, Max Clohesy, Tyreece Collison, Zac Clohesy, Zac Alderton and Steele Simpson (six goals) will feel that if they can play their best football for longer than Tatura then they should be able to get the win.

Tip: Shepparton Swans.

ECHUCA V SHEPPARTON

The moment of truth has arrived for the undefeated Shepparton. They deserve their place at the top of the tree but they are coming up against one of the best drilled team of the past four seasons, so we are going to find out about their premiership aspirations.

The Murray Bombers appear on track for a three-peat, but the Bears will be desperate to make a statement.

Curtis Townrow, Jack Evans, Liam Tenace, Jack McHale, Benjamin Reid and Matthew Lias will be the ones that will be having plenty to say about the aspirations of the Bears.

The Murray Bombers had 10 different goal-kickers in their big win over Tatura and they get premiership defender Cam Valentine back from serving a one-game suspension.

Ashley Holland hasn’t missed a beat since his return post his premiership success at Waaia.

He has been dominant and would most likely be leading the Bears best and fairest.

Adam Decicco, Jacob Watts, Bryce Stephenson and Joel Brett were others to play a pivotal role in the grinding win over the Bombers last round.

And they had 8 different goal-kickers, which makes them a difficult proposition to match-up on.

I think the Murray Bombers have a game plan to win big games and it is for this reason I am going for Echuca.

Tip: Echuca.

SHEPPARTON UNITED V SEYMOUR

This will be an intriguing contest between two teams that will not feature in the September action.

Shepparton United has been reasonably competitive in most games in 2024, with the exception of a couple of defeats, including the one last round against a much-improved Rochester.

Seymour has won once in 2024 and sits in 11th spot on the ladder.

Jordan Wiggins, Mitchell Trevaskis, Patrick Thompson, Ryan Calogero and Samuel Jackson were the shining lights for the Demons in that loss at Rochester.

Tom Maloney, Jack Murphy, Tom Martin, Nathan Beattie and Nathan Fowler were strong as the Lions came home with a wet sail against the Magpies, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win.

This is a real flip of the coin game and it will be interesting to see how the Demons come out following the club announcement this week in relation to coach Duane Hueston not continuing in the role beyond 2024.

If they can put all their energy into Seymour, then they could get the win.

Tip: Seymour.

MANSFIELD V ROCHESTER

This is a massive match in the true sense when it comes to shaping who will play finals in 2024.

Rochester has won six on the trot, claiming some huge scalps in that sensational run of form to be sitting in third spot. They have defeated the reigning premier along with Mooroopna and Euroa while winning a thriller at Kings Park. Last round, the Tigers were too strong for the Demons. Andy Henderson (career best 7 goals), Mitchell Trewhella, Matt Kellett, Hamish Hooppell and Adam McPhee were in outstanding in the 71-point win, which included 7 different goal-kickers.

Mansfield has been in really good form as well. It has won six games, including a really good result on the road at Euroa before the June long weekend.

Nathan Buchanan (four goals), Billy Hogan (four goals), Brett Mahoney, Tom Gardiner, Patrick Marks and Dirk Koenen were important in the win.

Coach Jack Hutchins would be impressed with resilience of his group and knows that a win like this will go a long way to helping their top six aspirations.

Tip: Mansfield.

MOOROOPNA V EUROA

This is another of those eight-point games.

Euroa had a solid win last round, defeating the Lions to draw level on points with sixth-placed Kyabram. That said, they sit outside the top six by 11 percent.

Mooroopna had an important win before the June long weekend bye. They accounted for Shepparton United by three goals. But they had a fight on their hands for most of the contest. They blew it open with a four-goal burst in the third quarter which proved the difference in the final wash-up.

Ben Hicks, Bryce Rutherford, Keelin Betson, Isaac Dowling and Jack Lear will be important for the Cats if they are to win to put some breathing space between themselves and the Pies.

Will Hayes, Lachie Hill, Michael Barnes, Jack McKernan, Tom Garside, Jett Trotter and Andrew Smith will be important to ensure the Pies keep pace with the top six.

I think, the Pies have a few more options forward of the ball to kick a winning score.

Tip: Euroa.

Last round: 4.

Season tally: 44.