RMFL preview: Can the Tigers end Imperials’ season?
Commentator Matt Hood makes his tips ahead of the second week of finals for 2023 in the River Murray Football League.
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The minor premiers will make their finals debut and another club’s season will end in the River Murray Football League this weekend.
It’ll be Mypolonga and Imperials playing in Sunday’s elimination final, while the Suns and Bluds will duke it out in the qualifier on Saturday.
Here with his expert commentary, in the absence of his usual offsider Shane Snell, is Matt Hood.
Southern Mallee v Jervois
- Johnstone Park, Murray Bridge, Saturday
- Head-to-head in 2023: Jervois 2-0
Southern Mallee finished in top spot, but Jervois have taken the chocolates both times these sides have met in 2023.
The minor premiers will have to juggle their lineup for this one, with Josh Smithson injured playing for Adelaide in the SANFL last weekend and tough midfielder Christian Vince in doubt with a leg injury.
The haven’t played much footy lately, either, with two byes and a blowout win over the past three weeks.
“They’ll be fresh,” Hood said optimistically.
Meanwhile, undefeated Jervois would have taken a lot of confidence out of their 23-point win over Imps last weekend.
Dylan Barry kicked six and was named best on ground.
“They’re very, very focused,” Hood said.
“They look like the real deal.”
They may get a boost from a youthful inclusion on Saturday: Prince Alfred College “super talent” Anthony Long may come in for the injured Josh Holding.
“Josh Scott is in fantastic form, Peter Zarantonello is in good form, Taite Silverlock is in good form, and Mackenzie Hansen in defence,” Hood said.
“Don’t forget Rory O’Driscoll for the Southern Mallee Suns … their centre half-forward, Ben Moroney, is really good; so is Thomas Keough, from West Adelaide; playing coach Nick Hyde is a big unit; the prince, Josh Barrett, is a quality player.
“But for me Jervois will get the win.”
The winner of this match will go straight into the grand final, while the loser will play the winner of Sunday’s game.
Also on the card for Saturday will be Imps v Jervois in the reserves, Mypo and Imps in the under-18s, Imps and Tailem in the under-15.5s and Mannum and Jervois in the under-13s.
- Matt’s tip: Jervois
- Watch the game: Visit www.facebook.com/rivermurrayfl from 2.15pm on Saturday.
Imperials v Mypolonga
- Meningie Oval, Sunday
- Head-to-head in 2023: Imperials 2-0
The Coorong Cats’ dream of a home final was dashed after they “didn’t give a yelp” in their loss to the Tigers last weekend.
Another club’s season will come to an end at Meningie on Sunday – but will it be the struggling contenders in blue or the late chargers from Mypo?
“At the start of the year, if you’d said it would be Imps and Mypo, I would have said Imperials by 10 goals,” Hood said.
“A lot has changed.
“(Mypolonga) executed their plan to perfection on Saturday; they were extremely well coached and the players delivered.”
Jack Kluske and Patrick Davies were “unbelievable”, rover Regan Gotch did everything right, and key forward Nick “Sticky Nicky” Hombsch took pack marks and kicked two goals.
By contrast, Imps will hobble into this match-up missing key defender James Clarke and with Jack Penfold probably sore after being thoroughly tagged last week – “he took a beating”.
Suddenly it feels as though it will be the Blues struggling to contain Mypo’s talls and star mids, rather than the other way around.
“I’m going Mypo by two or three goals,” Hood said.
“They’ve hit form at the right time of year.
“I wouldn’t be too surprised if Imps got up, but right now they’re not playing good enough footy.”
- Matt’s tip: Mypolonga
- Watch the game: Visit www.facebook.com/rivermurrayfl from 2.15pm on Sunday.
