Round 17

"At some stage, I would like to coach. The question is when that is, I suppose."

Yarra gun Leigh Masters on the possibility of leading the Pigeons

The Headline

Stevie J is pulling up stumps with Yarra at seasons end, maybe foreseeing some issues with recruitment & the new Total Team Points System?

In any case, a 90% strike rate & with the Pigeons in the box seat to claim back to back flags, another premiership medallion would only add to his already brilliant record with blue & white hoops.

The question then comes, who steps in? Could we see an internal pairing of Leighs Masters & Williams? Certainly wouldn’t hurt their prospects.

Around the Grounds

North avoid disaster against the Raiders.

Scores tied at the last, a blistering 8 goals to 2 saw the Hoppers home comfortably in the end.

Can't imagine coach Timmy Broomhead was too thrilled at his final address, considering he was unhappy with a 100+ point thrashing of the Roos a week earlier.

Lavi give up a 6 goal lead from late in the 3rd quarter against Myrt.

The Saints piled on the final 7 goals of the game to record a memorable come from behind win.

The Panthers could have ensured the Saints were dead & buried at the last change, but were incredibly wasteful with +8 scoring shots at that stage & failing to convert on their 4 opportunities in the last.

Wang can't catch a break with consistent injuries to star midfielders, Pat Naish pinging his hammy early in the second at home to Yarra. 

The Pigeons took control from that point, extending their 2 point lead at the half out to over 30-odd while restricting the Pies to just 3 goals for a half in a class display of strength & precision.

Goalkickers

🏉 Hopper Josh Minogue extends his lead atop the Doug Strang with 6

🏉 Pie Cal Moore & Pigeon Leigh Williams faced off for supremacy, coming out evens with 3

🏉 Tigers Jackson Kelly, Mat Walker & Jacob Conlan provided plenty of headaches for the Rovers, each with 3

Match of the Round

(3) North v Albury (4)

Off the back of dominating second placed Rovers, doubling their scoring shots last weekend, the Tiges are slowly stalking towards a top 3 spot.

It'll be North's spot they're after, and with the pain of dropping their last meeting after the siren, the Hoppers will be hellbent on denying their arch rivals.

Form: North (4-1) - Albury (4-1)

Last Time: R5 - Tiges by 2 points

Tip: Tiges by 10 points

"I think we are all big boys in the Hume league and don't need to reward a side for finishing sixth with a finals berth considering all the flaws in the top-six finals format"

Jindera coach Joel Mackie wants to fight it out with the Power, Giants & Dees for both survival & advantage

Goalkickers

🏉 Luke Gestier - Holbrook - 46

🏉 Trent Castles - Jindera - 43

🏉 George Alexander - Osborne - 43

Match of the Round

(1) Osborne v CDHBU (3)

Questions linger over the Power's ability to match it with the other sides in the top 6.
Bar their phenomenal win over the Brookers at Holbrook, they've averaged 20 point losses to the Dogs, Giants & Dees, while getting taught a lesson at Coreen by the yellow & black.

No such troubles for the Tiges, who've averaged 50 point wins against the top 6 outside of their only loss to the Brookers.

The Power have the opportunity to rectify their record with the Brookers & Dogs in the near future, but it starts this week with one of the toughest road trips in country footy.

Form: Osborne (5-0) - CDHBU (4-1)

Last Time: R2 - Tiges by 60 points

Tip: Tiges by 28 points

"They have lost two matches and that has to be our inspiration, that they are beatable. My job as coach is to instil belief"

Thurgoona coach Dan McAlister on this week's equation

Goalkickers

🏉 Jack Chesser - Barny - 65

🏉 James Breen - Tallangatta - 55

🏉 Mark Doolan - Chiltern - 49

Match of the Round

(5) Thurgoona v Chiltern (2)

The Swans need this one to wrap up the second chance, but a falter might just give KSC the ground they need to chase down their fierce foes in the race for the 3.

And despite getting pantsed at Chiltern early this season, it's the only time the Doggies have been embarrassed. Having gotten within 3 goals on average of the Hawks, Bushies & Roos - the latter two also in the run home - DMac will have Thurgoona chomping at the bit to atone for their last meeting & get one on the board against the top 4 before finals.

Form: Thurgoona (3-1-1) - Chiltern (4-1)

Last Time: R4 - Swans by 107 points

Tip: Swans by 14 points

“We’re under no illusions we’ve got to win another one to be there about in the finals... Our two worst games have probably been against Goorambat and North Wangaratta, so we’ve got a little bit to prove there"

King Valley co-coach Jack Davies on what it'll take to crack finals

The Headline

Whorouly haven't had a great deal to celebrate of recent, but signing former Melbourne Demon, current Wang Magpie & 2018 Doug Strang Medallist Mick Newton as coach gives plenty of hope for 2025 & beyond.

Interesting to see who he can lure into the Lions Den for a climb back up the ladder.

Around the Grounds

It's that time of the season where the weather's shite, training is hard, numbers fall away and planning for the footy trip is in full swing for some clubs - such is the case for Benalla & Tarra, both on the end of 100+ point shellackings by Bright & Milawa respectively.

Trailing by just 20 points at the half, the writing was on the wall for North Wang as Greta peppered the big sticks for little return.

Straightening up after the main break, the Blues took complete control with more than 3 times the looks on goal than the Hawks.

Despite getting themselves back within 2 straight kicks - having snagged the opening 3 goals of the final term - it was too little, too late for Moyhu.

Allowing the Roos to take a 5 goal lead into the final term with a poor showing of 0.2 in the third meant it was always going to be an uphill battle.

Goalkickers

🏉 Luke Quirk & Cooper Thomason combined for 14 majors against the Panthers, Thomason's 6 handing him back the lead of the goalkickers

🏉 Jared Lea & Braydon Kearns took advantage of the strong supply for the Dees, bagging 7 & 6 between themselves

🏉 Ryan Wait stood tall for the Roos with 6 against the Hoppers

Match of the Round

(6) King Valley v Goorambat (5)

King Valley can make life very difficult for North Wang with a win here, all but sending the pair to a do or die clash in R20.

The Roos can't afford to mistake the Bats recent record as vulnerability, taking into account they've come at the hands of the 3 teams miles above the rest, but a few losses can cause doubt to creep in.

It's still a massive ask, given their previous meeting where Goorambat put the Roos to the sword, but strange things happen when it's all on the line.

Form: King Valley (3-2) - Goorambat (2-3)

Last Time: R3 - Bats by 111 points

Tip: Bats by 40 points