RMFL preview: Questions abound ahead of inaugural Rivalry Round

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It’s Rivalry Round in the River Murray Football League this week, and bragging rights will be on the line.

There will be displays of agricultural machinery at each of this week’s grounds, and the winning clubs will get a bit of merch from league sponsors Ramsay Brothers.

But which clubs will reap the rewards?

Murray Bridge News asked commentators Shane Snell and Matt Hood for their tips.

Mallee v Tailem Bend

Whoever loses Saturday’s match at Peake will be in the box seat for the wooden spoon this season.

So the last thing the ninth-placed Storm need is injury trouble, but they’ve got it.

Captain Chris Rudiger hasn’t been able to take the field for a while, full forward Michael Leonard missed last week and the Pederick boys have been in and out – “there’s four good players they can’t afford to have out,” Hood said.

That’s not to say the Eagles have been bulletproof, either – they were minus a player with a hamstring injury last week.

Outside of Jacob Wilson, it’s still not clear how they’ll score enough goals to get past deeper clubs later in the season.

But Aidan Coakley is in super form for Tailem Bend, they had a 46-point win last time these teams met, and both Snell and Hood predicted they’d have the goods this Saturday.

“Tailem Bend, when I saw them in the Lokan Cup not long ago, they took it up to Jervois for three quarters,” Snell said.

“One player with a point to prove will be Brodie Edwards, who was overlooked for the eastern zone squad for the SA Country Championships … he’s got the capability.”

• Matt’s tip: Tailem Bend
• Shane’s tip: Tailem Bend

Imperials v Ramblers

The word on the street is that a mystery player might suit up for the Blues in this clash for the Cawte-Norrish Cup.

Snell refused to be drawn on the identity of the alleged inclusion, but hoped he might help Imps close out Saturday’s game against their old rivals, who they beat by 48 points last time around.

“For Imps it’s all above their shoulders, it’s how they bring it,” he said.

“They’ve got some problems with consistency.

“The lower-end players need to get in a bit more of a vein (of good form).”

Reigning Mail Medallist Harley Montgomery, Ben Gogel, ageless Luke Harrowfield and experienced James Clarke – who’ll be out this week with a finger injury – have been among the leaders by example.

Meanwhile, Ramblers were in front of Jervois at half time in last week’s match, but Snell suggested that might have been more of a Jervois problem than an achievement for the Roosters.

“Jacob Trevorrow is playing really good footy, he has a heap of pace; Lual Kelei is really going ahead in his development curve, he was best last week; and they’ve got a few old stragglers like (Jarrad) Weyland, Matty Thompson and a few young players,” Snell said.

“Kye Roberts is an interesting player as well, the former West Adelaide player; and they use Josh Andrews up forward, he might get a few goals.

“They can play good footy, they just need to get a few more back into the side.”

Hood agreed that the on-ball brigade was up to snuff, but they needed a key forward.

Speaking of which, Hood was willing to make a bold prediction.

“Johnny Boras is due for a bag full,” he said.

“I’m expecting big Johnny to kick eight or nine goals this week.”

• Matt’s tip: Imperials
• Shane’s tip: Imperials

Southern Mallee v Coorong

In a week full of fascinating matches, this one at Lameroo will be right up there.

The ladder-leading Suns dominated the first half of their match against Mannum last week, which was abandoned after a serious injury – later determined to be a concussion – to Roos player Mitchell Smith.

Ben Moroney is a superstar, Thomas Keough can tear any side apart, Rory O’Driscoll gets a heap of the ball, Josh Smithson is up there, and they have the versatility to deploy different players at different positions.

But Southern Mallee had also had an unusual run of good luck with players’ health, Hood said; player-coach Nick Hyde had only dressed for three games this season.

Without tempting fate, surely that couldn’t last forever.

The Cats won by 20 goals last week, despite having Patrick Barrett, Liam Thompson and Brodie Martin out of the lineup.

Matt Hartman was the best ruckman in the league, Hood said, and he liked Sam Sanders at full forward.

“He kicked seven last week, and he had 11 a couple of weeks ago,” he said.

“As a key target, he’s as good as anyone in the league.”

The Cats came within 13 points in round one; could they pull off the upset in the rematch?

• Matt’s tip: Coorong
• Shane’s tip: Southern Mallee

Mypolonga v Jervois

Mypolonga will look forward to a challenge against a slightly battle-scarred Bluds lineup this weekend.

Their season has been all about trajectory: they started on a three-game losing streak despite being competitive against Imps, Jervois and Ramblers.

Since their bye, though, they’re 4-1, with the only loss being to the league-leading Suns by a couple of kicks.

“I think they’ve got a full kit of players,” Snell said.

“Jack Zadow is really starting to find the ball now after coming back from a long-term injury last year; Stephen Mills, Nick Hombsch … Riley Robinson keeps racking up the touches.

“Jervois won’t want to take them lightly because they could get jumped.”

Still, Hood worried that the Tigers’ midfield wouldn’t be able to get the ball into the forward line.

In the red and black camp, a few players have fitness concerns, including Josh Scott and Ben Hansen.

But the likes of Peter Zarantonello and Taite Silverlock will still be able to move the ball up the field.

“I still think they’re too good,” Hood said.

“But don’t be surprised if there’s an upset.”

• Matt’s tip: Jervois
• Shane’s tip: Jervois

Correction: Brodie Edwards was overlooked for the eastern zone squad, not for the RMFL representative squad.