Talbot v Natte Bealiba
Talbot's hopes of cementing a place in the 2014 Bendigo Bank Maryborough Castlemaine District FNL's fast-approaching finals series face a major obstacle this weekend, with the Hawks set to host a red-hot Natte Bealiba on Saturday.
Fresh off the back of a thumping win over Avoca and a week off to freshen their legs, the Swans are building plenty of momentum in the lead-up to September, and will look at Saturday's match-up with the mercurial Hawks as a chance to potentially further their position on the ladder. Key defender Jack Kennedy made an encouraging return from a serious hand injury for Natte last round, and should play a key role come finals time, while forward targets Ryan Weir and Matthew Stagg showed they had overcome injuries to bag a handful of goals each.
Talbot had yet another disappointing loss in its last showing, with the Hawks suffering a 70-point belting at the hands of Royal Park, which could put a serious dent in the side's confidence ahead of Saturday's integral clash with the Swans. Key to Talbot's chances of causing a major upset will be the battle of the two sides' midfields, with Trent Barras, Matt Smith and Rowan Prentice set to go head to head with Stephen Ross, Brent Mortlock and the rest of Natte's much-vaunted midfield brigade.
Talbot
To be selected from:
Benjamin Heathcock, Ricky Andrews, Jonathon Arnel, Luke Kemp, Troy Cunningham, Ross Wise, Ryan Kenden, Rowan Prentice, Matthew Gayton, Karl Gunther, Danny Glen, Kane Heathcock, Kallan Boucher, Lachlan Griffiths, Jorde Bux, Matthew Smith, Brodie Glen, Bradley Fleming, Josh Sullivan, Timothy Solomon, Trent Barras, Tom Sutherland
In: Brodie Glen, Ricky Andrews, Ryan Kenden
Out: Mathew Whiteman, James Collings, Nathan Smith
Natte Bealiba
To be selected from:
Dean Graco, Ryan Weir, Lachlan Douglas, Christopher Jardine, Trent Mortlock, Stephen Ross, Brandon Mason, Brent Mortlock, Thomas Douglas, Kurtis Torney, Karl Morley, Jacob Long, Kurt Mortlock, Nathan Ross, Jack Kennedy, Zachary Perez, Matthew Stagg, Brayden Mills, Lachlan Cameron, Tyson Mortlock, Jamie Evans, Joshua Tong
In: Brandon Mason, Nathan Ross
Out: Jared Hall, Brayden Maffesciani
Newstead v Trentham
Newstead will look to this weekend's match-up with Trentham as the ideal opportunity to bounce back from its embarrassing loss at the hands of Carisbrook last round.
After the Roos were caught out by Brook's ferocious attack on the ball and goalscoring firepower, Steaders coach Ross Smith will have drilled the importance of this weekend's clash with the Saints into his playing group, both as a percentage and and confidence booster ahead of the finals series. With the Roos' position in the top four under serious fire in the final few rounds of the home-and-away season, they will need to score a big win over the struggling Saints in order to maintain their high ranking.
Trentham's season of suffering is all but over, with the Saints wallowing in 12th spot and boasting just two victories. The Saints can now use the remainder of the 2014 season tinkering with their line-up and perhaps blooding some emerging talent ahead of the 2015 season.
Newstead
To be selected from:
Bradley Richardson, Joel Smith, Zachary Tanner, Lachlan Chapman, Ashley Webster, Mathew Merlo, Adam Hunter, Jayden Bott, Joel Pearson, David Wall, Adrian Conn, Mitchell Woods, Tom Ruggles, Ben Krol, Nathan Webster, Jonty Entwisle, Mark Ramsey, Cameron Hepburn, Daniel Christmas, Liam Bright, Brent Devereaux, Michael Dalrymple
In: Adam Hunter, Tom Ruggles, Mark Ramsey, Ben Krol, Mathew Merlo
Out: Matthew Manning, Patrick Cummins, Bryan Elliott, Jacob Dalrymple, Ethan Ford
Trentham
B: Scott Witmitz, Reece Hourigan, Luke Adams
HB: Josh Murphy, Hayden Sundblom, Brok Wightman
C: Lewis Bruton, Christopher Whelan, Elliot Drew
HF: Taylor Drew, Mark Strickland, Justin Hoffman
F: Michael Day, Shaun Harrison, James Gray
R: James Wicker, Matthew Traynor, Kasey Williams
Int: Daniel Lendrec, James Cann, Jonathon Nadin, Jake Sundblom
In: Hayden Sundblom, Matthew Traynor, Jake Sundblom
Out: Jake Keogh, Luke Whitehouse, Jamie Cutler
Harcourt v Carisbrook
Carisbrook's strong run of form ahead of the finals series looks set to continue, with the rampant Redbacks taking on Harcourt on Saturday.
The Redbacks have been in a rich vein of form in recent weeks, including a demolition job of fourth-placed Newstead last round. The form of small forwards Liam Cunningham and Cole Roscholler has been key to their side's success in recent weeks, along with the return of Matthew Bilton and the recovery of big man Jackson Bowen.
Harcourt's first and second halves of the season have been polar opposites, with the Lions' rapid improvement catapulting them into finals contention. This weekend's clash with Carisbrook will be a huge test for Harcourt however, and they will need big efforts from some of their top line performers in order to topple the might of the Redbacks.
Harcourt
B: Alex Birch, Paul Chaplin, Darren Colley
HB: Christopher Smart, James Gale, Kris Davis
C: Brendan Josey, Daniel Smith, Sam Gale
HF: Timothy Faliszewski, Michael Dwyer, Kyle McLean
F: Alexander Purdon, Paul McKay, Jackson McMahon
R: Nicholas Matricardi, Christopher Ling, Justin Michielsen
Int: Lachlan Van Schaik, Adrian Hicks, Dean Watson, Christopher Stone
In: Michael Dwyer
Out: Jacob Fitzpatrick
Carisbrook
B: Mark Cox, Jackson Bowen, Hayden Barby
HB: Matthew Bilton, Liam Cunningham, Isaac Long
C: Timothy Heenan, Benjamin Kick, Jonathon Gray
HF: Scott Adam, Clayton Furniss, Tarran Neill
F: Brady Neill, Nathan O'Keefe, Brayden Collicoat
R: Christopher Dunn, Cole Roscholler, Justin Sculley
Int: Nichlos Wright, Luke Treacy, Jakob Tidyman, Andrew Lovett
In: Christopher Dunn, Isaac Long, Brayden Collicoat, Tarran Neill
Out: Nick Robinson, Stephen Marr, Travis Cornwill, Luke Robinson
Lexton v Avoca
Avoca travel to Lexton this week after a week’s rest courtesy of the split round and will be looking to provide some tough opposition to the Tigers who are assured of finishing in second position on the Ladder.
The Bulldogs were very competitive against Natte Bealiba last round but were very disappointing in the final quarter as they let the Swans finish with a ten goal term.
Lexton have finished the season strongly and with the final commencing in a fortnight will be looking to assert their dominance over the Bulldogs with a confidence boosting win.
The Tigers started slowly against Rovers last week, but worked their way into the game and kicked away in the third term. The run of Daniel Chester and Lachlan Pryor was a key factor in the Tigers win, while Jimmy Templeton continued his consistent form.
Avoca Coach Adrian Pilgrim has been in outstanding form in the ruck this season and he will be looking forward to testing his skills against one of the best ruck combinations in the MCDFNL
If Avoca plays to their best they could be competitive, but the Tigers are a class above the Bulldogs and should be able to win quite comfortably.
Lexton
B: Michael Smith, Timothy Oliver, Thomas Fisher
HB: Dean Murray, Michael Jennings, Lachlan Nevett
C: James Cusack, Matthew Torpey, Bryce Karslake
HF: James Templeton, Justin Hobson, Damon Aspland
F: Daniel Chester, Riley Browne, Lachlan Pryor
R: Nigel Reid, Joel Williams, Jordan Phelan
Int: Trevor Johnson, Justin White, Denton Sandlant, Ashley Davies
In: Bryce Karslake, Michael Smith, Michael Jennings, Riley Browne
Out: Jack Faull, Darren Jolly, Nathan Barnes, Matthew Brown
Avoca
To be selected from:
Jacob Glen, Murray Bond, Nolan Gould, Joel Howell, Brady Williams, Liam Mead, Jaye Farnsworth, Tyson Wardlaw, Ben Howell, Taylor Raine, Adrian Pilgrim, Luke Bertram, Jesse Britton, Bryce Howell, Ashley Wardlaw, Nathan Holland, Brad Schiltz, Mitchell Kennedy, Thomas Nankivell, Alec Wiltshire, Cameron Holland
Dunolly v Campbells Creek
Campbells Creek must win to keep their finals hopes alive as Harcourt are just one game behind and nipping at their heels for a finals berth.
Creek and Maldon played last round and the Magpies were disappointing when Maldon kicked four goals in the final quarter to overrun them.
Sean Smith will have his charges fired up for this match against Dunolly as he will be eager to see Campbells Creek reach the finals for the first occasion in some time.
It was a close battle when these two met in Round 6 and it was only a late resurgence in the final term that saw the Creekers get the points after being challenged earlier by the Eagles.
Joel Smith was unavailable due to injury on that occasion and the dangerous forward has the ability to kick a bag of goals if left unchecked, so he will have to be closely guarded if the Eagles are to have any chance of winning this game.
The home ground will favour the Eagles, but the risk of losing a finals spot should be the spur that is needed for Creek to get the points.
Dunolly
B: David Jackson, Harry Warren, Hayden Wellard
HB: Timothy Conway, Dylan Gordois, Lee Jackson
C: Justin Moore, Tony Bellenger, Michael Campbell
HF: David Bilton, Mitchell Harper, Matthew Halacas
F: Dean Foster, Jesse Olsen, Timothy Britton
R: Grant Raven, Joe Thompson, Jamie Townsend
Int: Jordan Ngawaei, Jay Pitto, Bradley McHugh, Devin Gordois
In: Bradley McHugh
Out: James Thomas
Campbells Creek
Selected side not submitted
Navarre v Maldon
Navarre has taken all before them and should have no troubles when they host Maldon this week, as they look to finish the home and away season undefeated with an easy finish to the season against the Bombers and Dunolly next round.
Maldon’s confidence was boosted when they posted their second win of the season last round with a strong come from behind performance against Campbells Creek, but
even with the inclusion of Tom Cain and Joel Cross, it will be a gigantic task to knock off the Grasshoppers who are marching into the finals as premiership favourites.
Navarre have rested a number of key players recently and should be in tip top form once the final series commences in a fortnight time.
Navarre to win quite comfortably.
Navarre
B: Josh Driscoll, Matt Newton, Tom Kaye
HB: Daniel Parkin, Lachlan Slorach, Ashley Driscoll
C: Bryce Tickner, Luke Hendy, Kris Brennan
HF: Ben Scott, Harley McKenny, Louis Hannett
F: Thomas Hannett, Aaron Slorach, Nicholas Murphy
R: Rhett Murphy, Sam Kaye, Daniel Reading
Int: Aiden Lee, Josh Fowkes, Zach Parry, Jayden Fowkes
Emg: Samuel Robertson, Brent Flood
Maldon
To be selected from:
Nicholas Kelly, Jackson Douch, Christopher Mulholland, Damien Gatti, Joel Cross, Nicholas McKnight, Matthew Gordon, Michael Mulholland, Luke Davey, Andrew Hall, Tom Cain, Mark Webb, Dean Primmer, Hayden Kelly, Xavier Mawson, Ben Doyle, Braedan Turtle, Christopher Milham, Michael Rorke, Jake Elliot, Kyle Winstanley, Josh Pascoe
In: Jake Elliot, Braedan Turtle
Out: Dyllan White, James Webb
Royal Park v Maryborough Rovers
The Maryborough Derby between Royal Park and Maryborough Rovers will be played at Hedges Oval on Sunday as the marquee game in this week’s #sayno2familyviolence Round, and while Rovers have had a struggling season, there has been patches of form that suggests that they should not be taken lightly, especially in a local derby.
Although, if Royal Park plays in the manner in which it disposed of Talbot on Saturday, then they will be a very difficult opponent and will be very confident of their chances against their across town counterpart.
The Tigers were never challenged as they moved the ball around the wide open spaces and quick entry allowed Zac Stewart to take advantage, while Jay Anderson had the ball on a string and set up a lot of the Tigers attacking play.
Rovers started strongly last week against premiership hopeful, Lexton, and showed what they are capable of when they play to their full potential and if they can reproduce that form then it should be a very entertaining game.
Royal Park won by a massive 77 points when they last played Rovers in Round one and will be confident of another big win on Sunday.
The Tigers may win, but if Rovers bring their best form, the margin will be a lot closer than their previous encounter.
Royal Park
To be selected from:
Shane Gray, Sam Anderson, Zachary Tunbridge, Jarrod O'Connor, Hamish Blake, James Shelton, Kayne Wilson, Ben McKay, Ben Clay, William Short, Zachary Dunne, Dylan McLean, Oliver Schmidt, Matthew Walker, Jacob Cahill, Zachary Stewart, Brendan Murdoch, Jayden Humphrey, Craig McMickan, Thomas Quick, Brendan Birch, Trent Pye
In: Oliver Schmidt
Out: Jay Anderson
Maryborough Rovers
B: Nicholas Clark, Perry Turner, Aaron Westbrook
HB: David Popovski, Kel Chaffey-Jones, Brohdie Smyth
C: Karson Guareschi, Dale Larkin, Kegan Ross
HF: James Rowles, Ryan Guareschi, Christopher Gunn
F: Graeme Kennedy, Scott Sellers, Dion Hedger
R: Ty Stewart, Bradley Fraser, Richard Phillips
Int: Matthew Stiles, Tristan Knights, Trent Monk, Ryan O'Shea, Grant Ryan
In: Grant Ryan, James Rowles, Perry Turner
Out: Corey Wilson, Brendon Hedger
Last Modified on 15/08/2014 14:23