With only 3 rounds left until the finals series, each game from here on across all grades has serious finals implications.
Let’s jump into the A Grade previews below:
Lock vs Eyre United
Lock
Ins – Macauley Glover, Travis Beard, Ziek Kay, Guy Morton, Sam Pearce, Ryan Durdin Outs – Kory Beard, Fletcher Kammermann, Jonte Durdin, Daley Beard, Brayden Crosby, Thomas Kammermann
Eyre United
Ins – Ethan Pugsley, Malachi Fatchen, Jonno Forrest Outs – Jon Telfer, Cameron Foster, Isaac Telfer
The Roos will welcome Eyre United to Lock for a final time this weekend after many tough battles between the two sides over the years.
Lock was impressive against Elliston Districts last weekend, keeping the Roosters to a solitary scoring shot for the entire game and piling on 32 of their own, with Kory Beard kicking 7 in a half after playing in defence to begin the game.
Eyre United will welcome back several of their young stars after a bye last weekend, with the large Lock oval likely to suit the run and carry game of the Saints.
Lock will welcome back a few big names with Travis Beard playing his first game for the year after an ankle injury in the pre-season and Macauley Glover returning to the club after a stint at Norwood.
Whether in the ruck or up forward, Aaron Beard has been a handful for opponents this season and will likely match-up on one of the Forrest brothers.
Unfortunately for the Saints, Lock look to be finding their groove at the right stage of the season and should win comfortably.
Elliston Districts vs United Yeelanna
Elliston Districts
Ins – Tom Lee, Matthew Williams, Kysen Shepperd, Jason Thompson Outs – Riley Carter, Kody Rosalia, Lachy Forward, Henry Guerin
United Yeelanna
Ins – Ricky Skinner, Adam Murnane, Callis Cafuta, Reece Francis Outs – Stephen Crettenden, Michael Crettenden, Dane Habner, Beau Sampson, Ben Carr
The Eagles will make the long road trip up to Poochera this weekend to take on the Roosters in the Grand Final rematch from 2022.
Unfortunately for the Roosters, injuries and player unavailability have cost them the chance to have a big crack at finals, unless there are some major upsets in the rounds to come.
The Eagles on the other hand, are absolutely flying despite a tough challenge from the Blues at home last weekend.
Elliston Districts will be pushing for a finals spot in the B grade this weekend and will likely have several players that will have to play two games on the weekend.
United Yeelanna will welcome back Adam Murnane into the A Grade side after playing B Grade last weekend, Adam had a breakout season in 2022 and will provide plenty of drive from the midfield with Michael Crettenden missing this week.
The Eagles will be far too strong in this one over the course of 4 quarters.
Tumby Bay vs Cummins Ramblers
Tumby Bay
Ins – Justin Bugeja, Thomas Allen, Brodie Higgins, Isaac Lebrun, Nigel James Outs – David Fleming, Tom Kelly, Braden Calderwood, Lachie Gale
Ramblers
Ins – Blair Buchanan, Isaac Hall, Jake Skinner, Will Blacker, Jacob Parsons Outs – Ashton Howard-Ham, Gus Crettenden, Joel Modra, Cody Modra, Tyler Langley
Both of these sides will be desperate for a win this weekend in the lead up to the finals series.
The Blues pushed the Eagles right to the brink at Karkoo last weekend, up by a goal at the main break before United Yeelanna put their foot down in the third quarter.
Ramblers defeated their cross-town rivals, Cougars in what was a low scoring battle in tricky conditions.
Regardless of position on the ladder, these two sides always fight out a hard, physical battle on the field. With both sides regaining key players, it is undoubtably the match of the round.
With key matchups in every position, highlighted by Lawrie vs Haarsma and Walker vs Richardson, if you’re anywhere near the Tumby Bay region this weekend, clear the 2:30pm time-slot, grab your favourite beverage and sit down and watch these two sides battle it out.
Expect a close first half, but Tumby Bay should have the leg speed in McLeod and Sumner to break the game open in the last two quarters.
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