At last we have some rain on the Eyre Peninsula as the tractors begin going around the clock.
Join us as we preview all the action in Great Flinders for Round 7.
Elliston Districts vs Cummins Ramblers
Elliston Districts
Ins – Shannon Horgan, Oska Richards, Harry Quigley, Josiah Coleman, Zane Coleman
Outs – Matt Williams, Brody Kenny, Jed Kenny, Archer Van Doorn, Luke Hutchinson
Ramblers
Ins – George Pedler, Henry Treloar
Outs – Damon Morrish, Gus Crettenden
The Magpies make the big trip up the highway to Minnipa this weekend, fresh off a great performance against the Eagles last weekend, whereas the Roosters will be full of confidence after coming from behind to beat the Saints away from home last weekend.
The battle of the two big men in this game will be a super exciting watch. Rhys Kelsh is starting to get back to his dominant best while Lachlan Treloar has taken his game to another level in 2024.
The potential matchup of Kody Rosalia vs Harlee Chandler will be one to watch. Both are classy players who have plenty of speed to burst away from stoppages and enjoy getting forward and kicking goals when given the chance.
The Magpies forward line has been dominant so far this season with Wes Bilney winding back the clock to kick 18 goals from 4 games whilst Jimmy Richardson continues to impress up the field with his work ethic and strength in one-on-one contests.
The Roosters forward line has been led by Fraser Smith, who at times has been dominant through the air and will have to be watched closely by the Magpies defenders, with Mitch Dennis a likely matchup.
Being played at Minnipa will give the Roosters an advantage but it’s hard to tip against Ramblers after an impressive performance last weekend.
Cummins Kapinnie vs Tumby Bay
Cougars
Ins – Not Provided
Outs – Not Provided
Tumby Bay
Ins – Connor Newton, Swayne Ackland, Ned Prosser, Brodie Richter, Jude Whittaker, Liam Carr, Jesse Jackson
Outs – Oz Richardson, Maddox Hunt, Jordon Hind, Jay Shannon, Justin Bugeja, Jake Rowe, Jaylen Cocks
Cougars will be coming into this game fresh off a bye, whilst the Blues would have been disappointed with their effort against Lock last weekend at home.
Jackson Murphy has been outstanding so far this season since returning to the Blues, with his work rate and ball use all over the ground a highlight.
Josh Horgan continues to play consistent football for Cougars, named in the best in 4 games so far this season and has rightfully earned himself a callup to the Mortlock Shield squad.
Josh Pierson could come up against Jay Green, both players have the ability to work up and down the ground over the entirety of the game and rarely waste their disposals with the ball in hand.
Brodie Laube has had patches of brilliance in each game and looks ready to tear a game apart at any moment and the same can be said for Latrelle Sumner for Tumby Bay.
With Tumby Bay having plenty of outs this week, expect this one to be a lot closer than what many are expecting.
Blues to win…just
United Yeelanna vs Lock
United Yeelanna
Ins – Matthew Crettenden
Outs – Matt Dyer
Lock
Ins – Damian Kelly, Brayden Crosby, Josh Crosby, Douglas Pearce
Outs – Majoor Ackland, Jaidyn Beard, Andrew Hetzel, Luke Durdin
If you’re not playing football on the Eyre Peninsula this weekend, get yourself down to the Kooplex for what is shaping up to be the game of the round between the two undefeated sides.
The United Yeelanna juggernaut continues to roll on and should welcome back their spearhead in Matthew Crettenden this weekend, who has kicked 24 goals from 3 appearances so far this season. Combining with his brothers Stephen and Michael plus the evergreen Bryce Breed, and the Eagles have a dangerous mix who can take away a game in a quarter.
The Lock forward line looks very different to it did last season. Travis Beard has been a welcome inclusion back into this side this year, kicking 18 goals, whilst Lachlan Heath has been a revelation for the Roos in their forward half. Traditionally a backman, he has used his athleticism to get up the field and use his elite ball use to hit targets inside 50.
The midfield battle could be a preview of the Great Flinders Mortlock Shield next weekend. Adam Murnane, Xavier Watson, Michael Crettenden, Shaun Maxfield and Casey Carr lining up against Ty George, Guy Morton, Blaze Kay, Macaulay Glover and Casey Beard.
With both sides having plenty of contested ball winners, the wing matchup of Dusty Wheare against 2023 Mail Medallist Brayden Martin could go a long way to deciding the game.
Both teams have an outstanding back half. Jaxon Norton, Ben Carr and Ricky Skinner all have the ability to turn defence into attack in a heartbeat for the Eagles, often backing themselves to intercept whilst Jaiden Agars continues to take scalps as an unassuming defender.
Although the Roos have lost their CHB in Luke Durdin to a minor hamstring injury, they will be over the moon to welcome back one of their favourites in Gonzo Kelly straight into that role. Playing coach Kory Beard started in the backlines against Tumby Bay and mopped up everything, where he lines up this weekend will an interesting watch. Billy Brown continues to take the best forward each week and rarely gets beaten in a contest.
As impressive as the Roos have been this season, the Eagles at Karkoo is the hardest task in country football, especially if they’re finishing towards the Kooplex end of the oval.
Eagles to win – 2 goals.
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