The split rounds are over as we hit the final round of Great Flinders football for 2024.
The top two looks to be set but the top 4 is still wide open with Elliston Districts only a game behind in 5th spot.
Join us as we preview all the action ahead of the weekend.
Cummins Kapinnie vs Cummins Ramblers
Cougars
Ins – Charlie Sheppard, Charlie Turnbull, Reuben Hill, Jayden Evans, Christopher Wright
Outs – Jake Mahoney, Mitch Blacker, Billy Mahoney, Rhett Schumann, Harry Sheppard
Ramblers
Ins – Wes Bilney, Joel Modra
Outs – Blair Buchanan, Cody Modra
The Cummins derby should attract a big crowd with plenty to play for. Cougars welcome back a wealth of their young stars whereas Ramblers will welcome Wes Bilney back into their forward 50, helping to provide another target alongside Jimmy Richardson.
Josh Horgan and Jack Green have led the way all season for Cougars, consistently in their best, whereas Zakk Bullard and Jacob Parsons are both having outstanding seasons for the Magpies side.
Ramblers have been hit severely all year by the injury curse but have been able to pull good depth from their B Grade where required.
The battle of the big men in Lachlan Treloar up against Thomas Phelps will be interesting. Both players can play in the ruck and play key position roles where required.
The Magpies will miss the class and leadership of their captain in Blair Buchanan, whilst Cougars will try and use their leg speed to break the game open where possible.
Expect this one to be close, but the Magpies have too much to play for at this stage in the season.
United Yeelanna vs Eyre United
United Yeelanna
Ins – Lachlan Hancock, Brodie Cash, Will Symonds
Outs – Jason Ridley, Alex Glover, Bryce Breed
Eyre United
Ins – Jonah Fatchen, Nick Bates, Archie Coote
Outs – Jordan Telfer, Aidan Sheehan, Sam Boehm
The Saints make the trek to Karkoo for arguably the hardest test in country football.
United Yeelanna continue to dominate the competition, putting last years Grand Finalists, Tumby Bay away in the last quarter to run away 100 point winners.
The scoreboard didn’t reflect the way Eyre United battled against a strong Lock side last weekend, unlucky not to win the third quarter after showing some real fight before being overrun in the fourth term.
For the first time in a few years, the Great Flinders goalkicking is not led by Matthew Crettenden who will be looking to fill his boots this weekend at home to take back top spot from Travis Beard.
The Eagles strength is their depth, having plenty of versatile players who can dominate or simply play a role all over the ground.
Anthony Webb has proven to be a dangerous target up front for the Saints, kicking 8 goals in his past 3 games from limited opportunities inside 50.
Good luck to Lachy Hancock who plays his first A Grade game for the Eagles this weekend, a classy young left footer who will be a mainstay in the side in years to come.
Eyre United will have their moments throughout the game but United Yeelanna should be far too strong in front of a big crowd of past players and supporters.
Lock vs Elliston Districts
Lock
Ins – Sam Pearce, Luke Durdin
Outs – Ty George, Lachlan Heath
Elliston Districts
Ins – Josiah Coleman, Harry Quigley, Jarrah Donovan, Archer Van Doorn, Jason Thompson, Scott Feltus
Outs – Stephen Milne, Mitch Robinson, Cooper Van Doorn, Kody Rosalia, Luke Hutchinson, Jaxon Bennett
The Roosters make the short trip over to their neigbours in Lock to take on a rampaging Roos side full of confidence.
Lock played a solid 3 quarter game last weekend, lapsing in the third but absolutely putting the foot down in the last with a 12 goal final quarter.
Elliston Districts will be coming in fresh off a bye after an extremely successful day led by Stephen Milne and Mitch Robinson in front of a raucous Elliston home crowd.
The Roos will be excited to welcome back Luke Durdin into the backlines, returning after a hamstring injury a month ago although they will miss one of their key midfielders in Ty George who is out with injury and also Lachlan Heath who is away.
The Roosters have been dominating the midfield over the past month, led by their star ruckman in Rhys Kelsh who will have an excellent battle against the Roos ruck duo of Aaron Beard and Fergus Slape.
Despite starting the season in the forward lines, Kory Beard has played defence over the last month, reading the ball superbly and intercepting at will.
The key forward battle will be important for both sides with Travis Beard coming off 16 goals in the past few weeks for Lock whilst Fraser Smith has been dominant at times for the Elliston side this year.
Despite the Roosters always matching up well against Lock, the Roos should have too much firepower especially at home on the big oval.
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