Cold mornings and freezing nights mean we’re right in the thick of footy season on the Eyre Penisula.
Join us as we preview what is shaping up to be an exciting round of football.
Tumby Bay vs Lock
Tumby Bay
In – Maddox Hunt, Jay Shannon, Jordan Hind
Out – Jude Whittaker, Grant McLeod, Kwarnell Sumner
Lock
In – Luke Durdin, Damian Kelly, Sam Pearce, Majoor Ackland
Out – Josh Crosby, Fletcher Kammermann, Daley Beard, Jaidyn Beard,
What a matchup this one is shaping up to be, a rematch of a fantastic preliminary final last year at Ungarra.
Tumby Bay will be boosted by the return of one of their favourite sons in Jay Shannon who will make a one-off appearance for the Blues. Combine that with former state country player Jordan Hind returning, plus Maddox Hunt playing his first A Grade game after some impressive performances for Norwood U/18s and Tumby Bay look to have their strongest side all year.
Lock on the other hand will be strengthened down back with the return of their keys Luke Durdin and Gonzo Kelly but will miss the height up forward of Kory Beard and Fletcher Kammermann who will both miss due to injury.
Majoor Ackland will debut for the Roos, a young big-bodied forward who has been performing well in school football in Adelaide.
The midfield matchup of George, Morton and Kay up against Sumner, Murphy and Shannon will be worth the price of entry alone whilst the ruck battle will likely see the Giant Twins in Jack and Tom McDonald up against Aaron Beard and Fergus Slape.
Both sides have a tall forward line and it could come down to which side is more accurate between the two.
This match can go either way, but the Blues have recently had the upper hand against the Roos.
Flip a coin. Heads for the Blues - Tails for the Roos
Eyre United vs Elliston Districts
Eyre United
In – Tom Forrest, Ethan Pugsley
Out – Tim Hannemann, Cohen Lawrie
Elliston Districts
In – Not Provided
Out – Not Provided
Both sides come into this match desperate for a win for a variety of reasons.
Eyre United are looking to get their first win for the year whilst Elliston Districts are looking to keep in touch with the top 4.
The Roosters had their moments up against a powerful Lock side last weekend and will only be boosted by a few ins whilst the Saints will appreciate the speed of Ethan Pugsley and strength of Tom Forrest returning to the side.
Fraser Smith has been a great target up forward this season for Elliston Districts whilst Max Baldissera has been back to his dominant best for Eyre United, using his mobility to get up and down the ground at will.
Rhys Kelsh will likely give the Roosters midfield first look around the contest and that’s where this game is likely to be won or lost.
Marley Butler has been outstanding so far this season for the Saints, named in their best 4 times from 5 games.
Expect the first half to be tightly contested but the bigger bodies of Elliston Districts to wear down the Saints over the entirety of the game.
Roosters to win.
Cummins Ramblers vs United Yeelanna
Cummins Ramblers
In – Zakk Bullard, Jake Horton, Phoenix Milburn, Gus Crettenden
Out – Seth Dobbins, Henry Treloar, Brad Dare, Justin Long
United Yeelanna
In – Jaxon Norton, Beau Sampson
Out – Oscar Paull
The Eagles continued on their dominance of the competition last weekend, downing Cougars by over 100pts whilst Ramblers will come into this game choc full of confidence after an impressive win against the Saints whilst being severely injury depleted.
Jaxon Norton will be a huge in for the Eagles, adding height and versatility to play in defence or ruck for the reigning premiers.
The battle in the coalface could be a preview of the Mortlock Shield midfield in two weeks time with Chandler and Langley up against the dominance of Carr, Watson, Crettenden and Murnane.
Jimmy Richardson and Wes Bilney have been a dominant two punch forward line for the Magpies but will face a tough test, likely up against the stern defence of Ben Carr, Jaiden Agars and Ricky Skinner.
Up the other end of the oval, the Eagles will still be missing their spearhead Matt Crettenden but have proven over many years that they do not rely on a single player to kick a winning score which was on full show last weekend with 10 different goalkickers.
It’s hard to ever write off a Ramblers side but United Yeelanna should prove to be far too strong in this one.
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