Round 9

"We got out-hunted and thought they took their opportunities better...we didn't have enough avenues to goal"

Rovers coach Sam Murray on the loss to the Doggies, a game he spent on the sidelines

Wodonga now on a 6 match streak, joining Yarra & the Rovers atop the ladder at 6-1. For those seeking omens in the tea leaves, last Wodonga won 6 in a row was their top 3 finish & prelim berth in '08.

Meanwhile, North are in a solid position to maintain a top 5 finish with a 5-2 record following their first win at the Lavi Sports Ground in circa 14 years.

The Tiges win not only brings about the end of Yarra's unbeaten start, but also snaps a 17 game win streak for the Pigeons stretching back to round 9 last year.

Little Jack O'Sullivan may be forced into concussion protocols after a knock that saw him miss the second half against the Rovers. The O&M may miss the insight of dual GV Morrison Medallist this weekend, but it could be more costly for Wodonga coming up against both Lavi & North on return, compounded by fellow Doggy Oscar Willding's career being in the air after a series of head knocks.

Goalkickers

🏉 Pie Cal Moore bagged 8 in Wang’s 10 goal win over the Roos - surging to the top of the Doug Strang on 27, 14 of those in the past fortnight.

🏉 North's Josh Minogue nabbed another 3 against Lavi to sit second in the goalkickers, 1 behind Moore.

🏉 Honourable mentions to Roo Sam Dunstan, who got off the chain after Wang’s Mick Newton was forced off with a calf, & the Bulldog’s Noah Spitiri who jagged nearly a third of the entire game’s goals - both with 4 snags.

The Good - Matt Munro is putting the Saints on his back and dragging them along for the ride with another standout performance, while Pie Alex Federico is starting to live up to the preseason comparisons to Dan Sharrock & Panther Billy Glanville is simply a monster, 30 of his 33 possessions contested against the Hoppers.

The Bad - The Raiders reliance on Cam Ellis-Yolmen. One bloke trying to carry a team has never been fruitful. Geez it would’ve been good to see what he could do in a decent team this weekend.

The Ugly - Albury’s 1 point win over Yarra wasn’t pretty footy, but sometimes you just have to grind out the W, even if you rely on Pigeon Ben Coghill missing a sitter.

Match of the Round

Ovens & Murray v Goulburn Valley

Can youngsters the likes of Josh Mathey & Jedd Longmire follow in the footsteps of Joey Richards & Kaelan Bradtke, showcasing their wares to find their way onto an AFL list?

Can the O&M retain the title for a 4th straight, extending their record to 18-10 over the 94 year history of the clash, or will the GV take it home - at home?

"Injuries didn't cost us, our ball use was ordinary and Osborne certainly made you pay a price with their counter attack"

Giants co-coach Dan Athanitis on what's required to match it with Osborne

With wins over Holbrook, Howlong & CDHBU in the first 6 rounds, Jindera have set themselves up for a genuine tilt at the title, conceding top stop on percentage alone.

Holbrook have backed up last week's memorable win against ladder leaders Osborne with another over finals hopefuls Lockhart, now with 3 on the trot and sitting 3rd.

Meanwhile, the Giants have tumbled from second after their top of the table clash with the Tiges, now just rounding out the top 6.

Lockhart's season hangs on a knife's edge heading into a must win against Howlong, having fallen out of the top 6. They’ll again be without spearhead Ronny Middleton, who hyperextended his knee against the Giants in R3 and hasn’t been seen since. His absence has exposed structural issues for the Dees, and they need to find another intimidating route to goal if they have serious intentions.

Goalkickers

🏉 George Alexander obviously doesn't take being held goalless well, rebounding with 7 majors to reclaim the lead in the goalkicking stakes on 30

🏉 Trent Castles was well held to 2 against the Crows - dropping a spot to 2nd on the goalkickers, but the attention freed up Will McGrath to bag 5 in their routing of the Crows

🏉 The Power set the tone within the first minute of their matchup with Murray, coach Kyle Docherty converting the first of his 5 sausage rolls - while Spider Connor Clarke collected 7 on the way to a massive win over the Lions, their first of the season.

The Good - Holbrook's Jock Triggs (32) has a commanding lead in the Coaches Player of the Year, 8 ahead of Murray's Reilly Mitchell (24) & 9 up on Lockhart's Jordy Harrington (23).

The Bad - The Saints would be bitterly disappointed, matching shots on with Henty at the last change - despite being 30 points down. All before a 4 goal to 2 final quarter blew the margin out beyond what the competitiveness of the play suggested.

The Ugly - Henty’s next 5 matches. Sitting 4th on 4-2 after a kind opening draw, things are about to get real for the Swampies with Jindera, Holbrook, Howlong, Osborne & CDHBU. Let the test begin.

Match of the Round

RWW v CDHBU

Both teams would have pencilled this one in as a must win at the start of the season, given they'll likely be fighting it out for ladder position come finals.

The Giants have been without Clay Thomas (Achilles strain), Tom Holman (fractured jaw) & Oscar Hayes (shoulder), and were left without a bench late against Osborne when Lewis McRae & Fraser Elliott went down before the main break & Mitch Thomas suffered a corked thigh.

With Jack Andison putting together a monumental season for the Power in a dynamic new midfield, they have the opportunity to capitalise on an undermanned opponent.

"In the end it came down to a bit of heart and grit and that was the difference"

Bushies coach Tom Cartledge on their win over Thurgoona

Startlingly, the Wodonga Saints could make it 4 in a row against Rutherglen, after smacking Wahgunyah, DMB & their shock win over Mitta. It’d be a nicety though, because they run into Chiltern, Yack, KSC & Thurgoona following this weekend.

The Hawks have cemented themselves inside the top 4, illustrating the gulf between themselves and chasing pack with a 55 point win over Tallangatta.

Thurgoona pushed ladder leaders Beechworth for the best part of the match - trailing by just 3 points at the last change before it slipped away. But they’ve certainly stated their intentions that their best is good enough to compete…if they can snare 5th spot.

The Swans had to rely on a 9 match winning streak to take out the title last season, but there’s no such stress this season. Sitting a game clear in second, having taken care of Beechworth & KSC - their only slip up against Yack, expect the red and white to dominate their next month over Wahgunyah, Wodonga, Rutherglen & DMB. Their current 207% should well increase to the borderline unattainable.

Goalkickers

🏉 Hopper James Breen maintains top spot of the goalkickers with 4, taking him to 44 and 14 clear of Berny’s Jack Chesser - but was pipped for the days honours by Hawk Mitch Paton with 5.

🏉 Swan Mark Doolan headed all comers over the weekend, bobbing up with 7 and sneaking into the top 5.

🏉 The Cats had 9 individual goalkickers against the Bombers, headed by Jyda House with a handful - while more than half the Saints bobbed up with a sausage roll v the Lions, Ryan Coates also helping himself to 5.

The Good - Roo Nick Houston has been massive, conceding just 3 goals in the past 2 weeks against Swan Mark Doolan (2) & Tiger Jack Chesser (1) - who sit 5th &  2nd in the goalkicking stakes respectively.

The Bad - There's little to celebrate for DMB, but Matt Paddle keeps on keeping on, in their best again for 7 from 7.

The Ugly - What’s going to happen at Wahgunyah this week when they host Chiltern.

Match of the Round

Thurgoona v Tallangatta

The Bughouse will play host to a cracker on Saturday in a match that'll shape the season ahead for both clubs. Along with Barny, they'll be fighting it out for the last spot come finals.

The Doggies will have their work cut out trying to quell the influence of potent Hoppers forwards James Breen & Kaine Parsons, plus the addition of Barton Medallist Scott Spencer on return. Meanwhile the Tallangatta will need to figure out a way to stop Thurgoona’s Tyson Neander, Charlie Williams & Ollie McAlister.

In the words of Doggies coach Dan McAlister, expect a war!

“We were slow to start, kept them in the game and fell into the trap of playing their game style"

Bright coach Paul Harrison on his sides close shave

There’s no great movement this week, as results are falling as expected & the ladder appearing to have settled into position.

The interest comes from weather or not Milawa can find an upset and find their way into the fight for a top 3 berth, an unlikely reality on current standings.

But the race for the final spot in the 6 looks well and truly alive, with Moyhu, King Valley and now, North Wang putting their hands up.

Bright survived the mightiest of scares by the narrowest of margins in an effort no one saw coming from North Wang. An even contest in the first gave way to polar opposite quarters either side of the main break, but the Hawks had spent all their chips with 6 goals to 1 in the 3rd term - heading into the last with a 13 point lead, before capitulating by a solitary behind.

Goalkickers

🏉 Bright's Cooper Thomason (47) extended his lead over Greta's Frazer Judd (41) on the goalkicking charts with 4, although Judd is a game down.

🏉 Hawk Tyler Nanson bobbed up with 5 to do his best to pull North over the line against Bright, while Bomber Al Bennett also grabbed a handful.

🏉 With 7 snags, Duane Haebich was forced to play second fiddle to fellow Bat Rhys Goodley, who finished with 8 against the hapless Panthers.

The Good - Bonnie Doon’s Matt Hedin has to be putting his hand up for the Clyde Baker, but Greta’s Des Kelly & Bright’s Sam Dalbosco  would be right on his heels.

The Bad - The Mountain Men off the bye. Bright coach Paul Harrison was scathing in his assessment of the Mountain Men, and reckons returning from the bye is becoming an issue for his chargers.

The Ugly - Goorambat switching on after quarter time. 2 points in it at the first break against the All Blacks, but what followed was cruel. 16 shots on for the Bats for 6.10 in the 2nd, followed by an 11 goal final term to run away with a 138 point win.

Match of the Round

Bright v Greta

Finally, a matchup rightly full of hype between 2 of the clear top 3 at Pioneer Park.

It'll come down to which midfield can supply their forwards with the most opportunities, with 155 goals already this season between Mountain Men Cooper Thomason & Declan Bren plus Blues Frazer Judd & Cody Crawford.