EUROA (11th) v KYABRAM (6th)
IF EUROA WINS -And Rochester wins, the Bombers will not play finals. IF KYABRAM WINS -They will play finals, maybe even rise a spot on the ladder and avoid Seymour in a do or die final
PREVIEW A final round Kyabram win will ensure the reigning premier a place in the finals, but if Mooroopna lose to Echuca and the Swans beat Benalla it will improve the Bombers position to fifth.
The Bombers were dominated by the Bears, managing just one major in two of the four quarters. Zac Norris had his colours lowered for probably the first time this year, while three of the Bombers best were from defence – Brad Whitford, Jason Morgan and Cooper Vick.
Euroa struggled to find avenues to goal, with Will Creevey’s three goals a rare highlight. Ryan Hill put up some massive numbers, as did elder brother Lachie. They will no doubt want to continue that form against the Bombers.
Last time they met: Kyabram won by 126 points
Prediction: Kyabram by 36 points.
MANSFIELD (9th) v SHEPP UNITED (8th)
IF MANSFIELD WINS -There is no impact on the finals race and they will remain 9th. IF UNITED WINS -By a large margin and Rochester suffers a big loss to the Bears the Demons could finish as the best team outside the top six.
PREVIEW Neither team can make the finals, so pride is the only thing on the line for the Eagles and the Demons.
Interest will lie in whether Zavier Maher can add to what is probably a dozen Morrison Medal votes. He was outstanding in the loss to Echuca, where the Demons were outscored 16 goals to five in the first half.
Mansfield led Mooroopna by 21 points a quarter time of their game, but surrendered the led in the second term and never got it back. Will Kelly and Billy Hogan both kicked four and will test the Demons defence.
Last time they met: Mansfield won by 37 points
Prediction: Mansfield by 8 points.
MOOROOPNA (4th) v ECHUCA (2nd)
IF MOOROOPNA WINS -They play finals, and will finish 4th is Seymour (as expected) beats Tatura) IF ECHUCA WINS -Mooroopna could drop as far as 7th on the ladder, if the Swans, Kyabram and Rochester all win. That does seem unlikely, given the Tigers face the ladder leading Bears.
PREVIEW Mooroopna is the in form team of the competition and has its destinty in its own hands – win and in, lose and rely on other results going their way to play finals.
Echuca found form last week, 100 point winners against United, but with nothing to gain from playing all its stars this weekend there may be a chance they rest some players.
The Cats will be all in, but a Swans win against Benalla, a Kyabram win against Euroa and a Rochester upset win against the Bears (along with a Cats loss) spells disaster.
Last time they met: Echuca won by 43 points
Prediction: Echuca by 14 points.
SHEPP BEARS (1st) v ROCHESTER (7th)
IF BEARS WIN -They finish top with one loss and end Rochester’s season, then and there. IF ROCHESTER WINS -They could replace either Kyabram, the Swans or Mooroopna inside the top six. They have a better percentage than the Cats, who (if they beat the Bears) could fall outside the finals with a loss to Echuca.
PREVIEW Rochester star Mitch Cricelli is the talk of the town – 13 goals in two weeks after a year on the sidelines. He returned via the reserves and kicked five in that game to a warning signal to the league.
With their forward line working better and Hugh Hamilton released into the mid-field more the Tigers look dangerous. It will all come down to Saturday’s game at Deakin Reserve to decide their future.
Last time they met: Bears won by 53 point
Prediction: Rochester by 1 point.
SHEPP SWANS (5th) v BENALLA (11th)
IF SWANS WIN -They play finals and might even go to 4th on the ladder. IF BENALLA WINS -Chaos. The Swans could drop to seventh, depending of course if Kyabram and Rochester win.
PREVIEW Linc Sullivan and his Swans don’t know how to give up. Their season, particularly the second half, has been far from perfect but they still sit 5th on the ladder.
They beat a Seymour team that had Riley Mason and Jack Murphy back, taking more marks in their forward 50 through having 11 more inside 50 entries.
Zac Alderton’s physicality in the mid-field has helped, coupled with Quade Johnstone’s aggression, the work of Max Clohesy and the close checking nature of its defence.
Last time they met: The Swans won by just three points
TATURA (12th) v SEYMOUR (3rd)
IF TATURA WINS -They break a 50+ game losing streak and Seymour could drop as low as sixth. IF SEYMOUR WINS -The Lions will await the results of three games to see who their opponent in week one of the finals will be – Kyabram, Mooroopna, the Swans or Rochester.
PREVIEW Riley Mason kicked 4 goals from 10 kicks in his return and Jaron Murphy bagged another two goals. They will be honing their skills this weekend to build momentum going into the finals.
Tatura was not disgraced last week by Benalla, losing by just 23 points.
Last time they met: Seymour won by 131 points
Prediction: Seymour by 71 points
