Round 13 Preview
Another huge round in the SS&A OMFNL with sixth-placed Lavington Panthers season well and truly on the line when they travel across the Murray to take on Wodonga.
A victory to the home side will see it move three games clear of Lavington and depending on other games will have a three-game buffer over all other contenders.
A victory to Lavington who has already had its second-round bye would keep alive its slim finals chances and keep the pressure on the Bulldogs.
The Panthers have named one of its strongest sides of the year with the only notable absentee being midfielder Ben Ashley-Cooper with shoulder injury.
Wodonga has again named coach Jordan Taylor who was a late withdrawal last week against the Raiders, Jack Yelland has been named despite a rib injury.
The league’s big improvers of 2023 North Albury will get another stern test when they welcome Wangaratta to Bunton Park.
The Hoppers were again super competitive last week going down to Albury but will take plenty of momentum into the game against Wangaratta after a strong finish against the Tigers.
Tim Broomhead has ticked off one of the most important ingredients as a coach–player improvement across the playing group and game style to suit.
Wangaratta lost its first game since April 22 last Saturday albeit by a point and has been the inform team of the comp in the last two months.
Daniel Sharrock, Liam McVeigh, Matt Kelly, and Jackson Clarke have been in sensational form, while up front Cal Moore has booted 41 goals just one behind Yarrawonga ace Leigh Williams.
Wangaratta Rovers on a high from a stirring win at Lavington last week will not be taking Myrtleford for granted at home this Saturday.
The Saints recorded its only win for the season when the teams met in round 4. Can they repeat it? They will need all their topliners at their best and twenty-two contributors.
The Rovers welcome back giant ruckman/forward Will Christie from VFL duties, his inclusion gives Rovers coach Sam Murray so many more options across the board.
The Hawks will still have an eye on the double chance, while the Saints will be keen to post a few more wins to avoid the wooden spoon.
Yarrawonga fresh from celebrating its meritorious victory over Wangaratta last week and coach Stevie J’s 40th birthday will be at home to Wodonga Raiders.
When the teams met in round four it was a wasteful Pigeons on that occasion kicking seventeen goals from 44 scoring attempts.
The Raiders who have been very competitive in most games this year, have suffered from not playing the full four quarters, with last week’s loss to Wodonga its worst performance for the year.
Cam Ellis-Yolmen has been a tower of strength, along with The Daly brothers and the Bracher boys – all hands on deck this week and expect to see an improved Raiders showing.
The netball clash between Yarrawonga and Raiders will pit the two inform and highest scoring sides of the competition against each other.
Yarrawonga has a mortgage on the minor premiership, while for the Red and Blue, this game provides the perfect challenge for the young emerging side.
Lavington will be keen for a good win over Wodonga and keep alive its chance of grabbing a double chance ahead of finals.
Myrtleford just like the Panthers will go into its clash with the Raiders very confident and also keeping alive its top three chances.
Wangaratta takes on North Albury in the remaining game and will need to be wary of the young Hoppers after they finished Albury’s finals hopes last week.
