STANHOPE v VIOLET TOWN
The tough match-ups continue for both Stanhope and Violet Town when they face off in what shapes as an eight point game in the battle to finish third.
Last year’s grand finalist had to dig deep into its playing stocks to stave off a desperate Lancaster last weekend and today will be no different with the Towners’ on the rebound after their narrow loss to Avenel.
Sean Horsburgh will be hoping his troops can bring the form they showed in the last quarter against Avenel from the first bounce.
Away from home, Horsburgh knows that scoreboard pressure will be important early when the heat is on in this contest.
Crucial to the Towners’ hopes of putting pressure on the Lions will be the returning Robert Staff.
Staff missed last week’s loss while away on holidays.
He will need to get the supply from the likes of star midfielder Samuel Poole while another that needs close watching will be Chris McKay.
Other players to be pivotal to the Towners’ causing an upset will be Ben Dyer, Lochlan Morrison, Matthew Davies and Greg Dyer.
The Lions have been rocked by multiple injuries, with key forwards Eric Edwards and Matt Forys missing last week while Blake Coyle didn’t play either against the Wombats.
Simon Collis, Brenton Gray, Thomas Hepburn, Stuart Trevena and Alex O'Reilly stepped up to the plate while Shannon Aynsley got the call-up from the reserves and had a big impact.
Tip: Violet Town.
AVENEL v MERRIGUM
Merrigum will be looking to keep its winning form going when it travels south down the highway to take on the unbeaten Avenel.
The Swans have seen off two major tests during the past fortnight and there is no doubt coach Donald Stirling would welcome these types of contests heading into the finals.
Christian Barnett will also welcome the challenge for his team which last tasted defeat on the long weekend.
For Avenel, the likes of Scott Tyers, Ashley Neville, Nathan Thomas, Micheal McKenzie, Todd Heaysman and
Paul Arandt led the way in the win last weekend.
One of the reasons for the reigning premier’s sudden climb up the ladder has been Daniel Clarke.
Since he returned from a long injury lay off, he hasn’t been out of the best players.
Barnett would have been pleased to also see some of the team’s second tier players in Jason Christou, Austin Bizzotto, Charlie Lowe and Ashley Cluney step up to help the reigning premier past the gallant Tigers.
Tip: Avenel.
TALLYGAROOPNA v GIRGARRE
After dropping out of the top six for one week, Tallygaroopna is firmly entrenched inside the top bracket of teams.
The Redlegs’ will face a stern test from the improving and desperate Girgarre today.
A win for the Kangaroos’ keeps their slim finals aspirations alive, while a loss will most likely bring the curtain down on 2016.
Simon Tomasini, Troy Schwarze, Ashley Hughes, Jake Hyland and Zayden Molluso were the stars in the big win last weekend while Ryan Hughes and Cameron McGill did most up the damage up forward.
The pair will face much tougher opposition today, but if they can get on top with some early goals it may give the team a big boost.
Brent Arho had a day out last weekend with 22 goals.
Make no mistake Arho will not have it as easy today.
Adam Serafini, Hayden Gray, Austin Tricarico, Timothy Karolidis and Jayden Goodwin were others to shine in the percentage boosting win last weekend.
This will be a much tougher challenge for Tallygaroopna but it should sneak across the line.
Tip: Tallygaroopna.
RUSHWORTH v LONGWOOD
Rushworth will be eager to finish its season on a positive note to take some confidence in 2017.
Coach Jason Hucker will certainly be preaching to his players the importance of late season wins and today presents the improving Tigers with one of those chances in the run home.
Todd Clarke is a very good player and he has shown on his day he is capable of kicking a big bag of goals, while Steele Lloyd, Adam Vick, Daniel Lambden, Alex Gelsi and Adam Harrap will be out to continue their good form.
Longwood has no doubt improved under first year coach Nick Brown.
Brown’s challenge for the remainder of the season is to keep the boys interested and focussed on task.
Matthew Ranger, Simon Wright, Braydon Kearns, Joshua Brown, Blake Newman and Brad Rawlings were some of the players to shine in the loss to Murchison last weekend.
They will again need to fire along with Balraj Singh, Daniel Freeman and Matt Hodgetts.
Tip: Rushworth.
OTHER
In the remaining two matches, Murchison should keep its slim finals aspirations alive with a win against Ardmona and Nagambie should be too strong for Undera.
Tips: Nagambie and Murchison.
Last Modified on 18/07/2016 09:46