BENALLA (8th) v ROCHESTER (10th)
Two sides built on defensive resilience, but still searching for greater scoring consistency. They are the top two spoiling teams in the competition, yet both sit well outside the top six for marks inside 50, a major factor in their low–scoring profiles. Benalla has topped 100 points only once this season and hasn’t passed 70 in its other seven games, while Rochester’s best return outside its 125–point haul against Tatura has been 83 points, with three totals under 70. The midfield duel will be worth watching, with Rochester’s Mitch Trewhella (29.3 disposals, 6.7 clearances, 7.9 tackles) going head–to–head with Benalla’s Chris Welsh (29.2 disposals, 6 clearances, 4 tackles). Both clubs sit 10th and 11th for clearances, but Rochester’s strength at ground level – ranked third for ground–ball gets – helps keep it competitive.
Prediction: Rochester by 11 points.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 17, 2025 – Rochester won by 23 points
KYABRAM (5th) v SHEPP UNITED (7th)
A contest shaped by contrasting styles but similar stakes, with both sides needing a win to stay in touch with the top four. The Bombers are the league’s most methodical ball–movement team, averaging 240.9 kicks and 111.7 marks per game, while United sits far lower at 192 kicks and 73.3 marks. Kyabram’s offensive power remains its greatest weapon, averaging 110+ points per game with three 150–plus totals already this season. Their Round 7 demolition of Mansfield showcased their best football: 154 more disposals, 63 more marks, +65 contested possessions, +19 clearances and 65 inside 50s. Brodie Newman continues to shine with 130 ranking points per game and elite intercept and contested marking numbers, while United counters with Zac Norris, who has posted 190+ ranking points three weeks running and is now the league’s top–ranked player. United will also take confidence from Liam Serra, who produced his best outing of the year with 34 disposals, 18 marks and 169 ranking points – and could have pushed for best–on–ground honours with straighter kicking.
Prediction: Kyabram by 38 points
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 15, 2025 – Kyabram won by 67 points
SHEPP SWANS (4th) v MANSFIELD (6th)
This matchup is shaped by contrasting form lines after the Eagles’ heavy 100–point loss to Kyabram last week. Mansfield won the free–kick count but lost almost every other key indicator, finishing with 144 fewer disposals and only 290 for the game. Only Matt King (32 disposals, 8 tackles, 1 goal) and Sam Thomson (28 disposals, 2 goals) cleared 100 ranking points, highlighting how few contributors stood up in a difficult afternoon. The Swans, meanwhile, continue to build a reputation as one of the hardest teams to play against, leading the league for one–percenters (52 a game) and sitting first for tackles (71 a week). Their midfield mix is led by Ethan Warburton, ranked 11th in the competition, who shapes as a key matchup against Mansfield’s Matt King, ranked 18th and in strong form with 7 goals in his last three games. The Swans will also welcome back Max Clohesy, their only top–30 ranked player outside Warburton, adding another layer of pressure and rebound.
Prediction: Mansfield by 23 points
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 9, 2025 – Eagles won by 19 points
EUROA (11th) v TATURA (12th)
A battle between the bottom two sides, both searching for a spark after slow starts to the season. Euroa’s ball movement has been more handball–driven – ranked 4th in the league with 136.7 handballs a game – while Tatura averages only 110, often struggling to link up cleanly. Both teams face similar forward–half challenges, averaging just five and six marks inside 50 per game. Euroa generates more entries (34 inside 50s), while Tatura sits last with only 30 per week, limiting scoring opportunities. Tatura’s top performer remains Jimmy Bennett, ranked 25th in the league, though his output has dipped to 96 and 72 ranking points in the past two weeks after a huge 200–point Round 2. Euroa’s highest–ranked available player is Ryan Hill at 44, with Cohen Hill (51st) and Lachlan Hill (52nd) next in line, highlighting the youth and inexperience currently carrying the load. Both sides have struggled to hit the scoreboard consistently – Euroa’s highest total is 86, while Tatura’s best is 73, both coming in losses. Jett Trotter (11 goals) and Ben Darrou (10 goals) lead their respective forward lines, but supply will again be the key.
Prediction: Euroa by 24 points
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 8, 2025 – Euroa won by 64 points
MOOROOPNA (9th) v SEYMOUR (3rd)
A game defined by firepower at one end and emerging talent at the other. The Lions boast the league’s most dangerous forward mix, led by Riley Mason with 30 goals, supported by Jaron Murphy (18) and Jack Murphy and Ricky Shraven (10 each). Mooroopna’s leading goalkicker, Dan Tuddenham, has 9, highlighting the difference in scoring potency. Despite that, the Cats still have three players inside the league’s top 25 – Kai Madgwick (15th, 134 ranking points), Liam Betson (132) and Keelin Betson (125) – giving them the midfield strength to challenge higher–ranked sides. Seymour’s top–end talent is equally impressive, with Tom Stapleton (144.3 ranking points from three games) and Huw Jones (139.8) both sitting inside the league’s top 10. The Lions don’t win as much ball as Mooroopna – the Cats average more disposals, clearances and hit outs – but Seymour’s efficiency and forward conversion have driven their rise into the top three. Their defensive pressure is anchored by tackling machine Dylan Cook, ranked 5th in the league, though the next best Lion is Darcy Giles at 22nd. Mooroopna counters strongly in this area, with Keelin Betson ranked 3rd for tackles and Jed Woods 10th.
Prediction: Seymour by 43 points
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 8, 2025 – Cats won by 50 points
SHEPPARTON BEARS (1st) v ECHUCA (2nd)
The top–of–the–table showdown between Shepparton Bears (1st) and Echuca (2nd) brings together the league’s two most consistent sides, but with very different profiles. The Bears boast three of the competition’s top 17 ranked players – Lewis McShane (5th), Luke Smith (8th) and Ash Holland (17th) – while Echuca has just one inside the top 25 in Liam Tenace. Shepparton’s defensive unit, led by Mitch Brett, Zac Metcalf, Bryce Stephenson and Daniel Meek, has been outstanding, conceding less than 50 points a game across the season. Echuca’s scoring has been more subdued, passing 100 points only twice in seven games, while the Bears have gone beyond 90 points in six of their seven matches, winning the other in a tight 64–47 contest against Mooroopna. The potential return of Sam Reid, still ranked 26th despite playing only three games, would be a major boost for Echuca, while Shepparton will be hoping to regain Watts or Stevenson, depending on their recovery timelines. The contest will also feature two of the league’s best in the effort areas, with Luke Edwards and Aiden Mills both inside the top 15 for one–percenters – Edwards sitting second with six a game.
Prediction: Echuca by 5 points
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 16, 2025 – Bears won by 19 points
