MANSFIELD (5th) v ECHUCA (2nd)
Mansfield hasn’t scored 100 points in a game for a month, relying on its mid-field to do a bulk of the goalkicking. That could be its downfall as Echuca has scored 120+ points in successive weeks and after this game faces three teams outside the six – a chance to cement a top two spot.
KEY MATCH UPS
-Hugh Byrne v Ben Les: May not be realised, because Byrne kicked six majors and may get a recall to VFL ranks with North Melbourne – but what a mouth watering prospect.
-Sam Reid v Callum Brown: Reid has been in and out of the side, but two former AFL players who are now kicking multiple goals and still racking up the numbers.
-Liam Tenace v Gus van der Heyden: Both ruckmen are vital to their teams. Tenace returned on the weekend and van der Heyden played his first senior game of 2026.
Prediction: Echuca by 29 points.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 7, 2025 – Echuca won by 11 points
SHEPP BEARS (1st) v TATURA (12th)
Tatura is much improved, the last two weeks seeing them with a ¼ time lead against the Swans and level with Mansfield at the first break on Saturday. The Bears, however, are looking even stronger with Xavier Stevenson and Jacob Watts back in their team.
KEY MATCH UPS
-Luke Smith v Chris Ryan: Ryan is playing in his 200th game this weekend and Smith is number 3 ranked player in the competition.
-Lewis McShane v Tom Sullivan: Veteran Sullivan has all the guile to challenge McShane, who has been re-invented as a goalkicking mid-fielder.
-Zac Metcalf v Ben Darrou: Tatura coach Andrew Ciavarella looks like he has bitten the bullet and decided to play Darrou full time in attack. He kicked three last week, but will probably have Metcalf for company – or Bryce Stephenson.
Prediction: Bears by 58 points.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 12, 2025 – Bears won by 104 points
ROCHESTER (8th) v SHEPP UNITED (7th)
A come from behind win from the Tigers, despite having Cooper Hamilton out of the team, has them only one win outside the top six. United dropped two spots with their loss to Seymour and remains one of three teams with a 5-5 win/loss record.
KEY MATCH UPS
-Hamish Hooppell v Jensen Dowling: Hooppell has support from Ryley Ferguson and Felix Fogarty, but Dowling is a top 10 hit out player this season.
-Mitch Trewhella v Angus Hicks: Two of the best performed in and under mid-fielders, with Hicks one of the main reasons the Demons are on the verge of the top six.
-Nate Rasmussen v Jordan Haynes: Rasmussen has been in terrific form, while Haynes has rarely dipped below 30 disposals.
Prediction: Rochester by 3 points.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 8, 2025 – Tigers won by 9 points
SHEPP SWANS (4th) v EUROA (11th)
Saturday was the Swans first loss since Round 3 (there was a draw with Mansfield in there as well), not managing a single multiple goalkicker and never in the hunt against Echuca. James Auld will be determined to improve on his one goal return, after going into the weekend with 15 goals from his last 3 games.
KEY MATCH UPS
-Ethan Warburton v Max Gleeson: Gleeson has been playing at half back, but as vice captain may get the job of trying to curb Warburton’s influence.
-Cohen Paul v James Auld: Paul may be given the role on the dangerous Swans goalkicker, unless Auld plays as the deepest forward.
-Enrique Goggin v Jett Trotter: Trotter may get Goggin for company and be challenged to stop the rebounding player’s influence on starting Swans attacking moves
Prediction: Swans by 33 points.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 17, 2025 – Swans won by 11 points
SEYMOUR (3rd) v KYABRAM (6th)
A low scoring game suited the Lions, who haven’t gone beyond 100 points in any of their last five games (winning three of them), but Kyabram will be keen to return to a high scoring contest after kicking 73, 83 and 82 points in the last three weeks. A shoot-out will suit the Bombers, particularly with Depasquale back in the team.
KEY MATCH UPS
-Tom Stapleton v Zac Norris: Stapleton will force Norris – the league’s best performed ruckman – to defend as has kicked 3 goals in his last two games.
-Jack Murphy v Kaine Herbert: Prolific ball winners who push forward and back. Herbert has a great ability to curb opposition mid-fielders and win plenty of ball himself.
-Huw Jones v Anthony Depasquale: With Depasquale likely to return (he kicked four goals for Werribee last weekend in the VFL, but they have a bye this weekend), it may be Jones who gets the tough match-up.
Prediction: Kyabram by 11 points.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 12, 2025 – Kyabram won by 86 points
MOOROOPNA (9th) v BENALLA (10th)
The Cats fell eight points short of winning three in a row, despite winning or breaking even in three of the quarters against Rochester. Benalla was equal with Kyabram at ¾ time and led half way through the last quarter. On paper looks like a really good match-up.
KEY MATCH UPS
-Liam Betson v Mark Marriott: Betson withdrew from the game late last weekend, but looms as a worthy opponent for Saints star Marriott.
-Kai Madgwick v Chris Welsh: Two of the most prolific ball winners in the competition, will push forward and help the defence where they can.
-Ben Hicks v Michael Mummery: Cats captain may get the job to curb the dangerous Saints goalkicker.
Prediction: Mooroopna by 19 points.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 10, 2025 – Benalla won by 22 points
