RMFL preview: Jervois meets Imperials in grand final rematch

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With one week to go before a break for inter-league footy, a premium clash is on the cards in the River Murray Football League.

Commentator Shane Snell breaks down the grand final rematch, plus Saturday’s three other games.

Jervois v Imperials

The stage is set for a tantalising arm-wrestle in this heavyweight rematch of last year’s grand final, which – in case you had forgotten – Imperials won by 35 points.

Imperials are 6-1 this season, while Jervois are a perfect 6-0.

Imperials played some pretty reasonable footy against the Eagles last week, by all accounts, as Johnny Boras uncharacteristically passed off a few goals to his teammates – “people kept checking his temperature, thinking he must not have been feeling good”.

Harley Montgomery was the best player against the Eagles, Jacob Rance showed quality ball use and decision-making across half-back, and Ben Gogel was effective in his return from injury.

Louis DeMichele dominated in the ruck, too, but won’t have it so easy against Jervois’ Harry Barnett.

Snell said he had been impressed by improving defender Bienfait Bigazi, who has been in and out of the A grade, as well as the usual suspects: Zane and Dylan Barry, always-threatening Ben Hansen, Peter Zarantonello and Lachlan Thomas.

The big out for Jervois will be Josh Scott, who copped a cheekbone injury a fortnight ago.

“I think Jervois will come out of the blocks well, they’ll be hungry, and while my heart says Imperials, my head says Jervois,” Snell said.

“They haven’t got Josh Scott, but I think the players will rise.

“Imps are cruising and Jervois are hungry.”

• Shane’s tip: Jervois

Mallee v Mannum

Snell tipped a close one in this match between two sides who have struggled to live up to expectations this season, to be played at Karoonda.

Snell tipped his hat to Mannum coach Ben Quinn for keeping his team afloat despite it being decimated by injuries and player outs.

“I don’t think their season has panned out how they planned,” he said.

“They recruited guys they thought would be strong, but they’ve had long-term injuries.

“(Quinn) is throwing the magnets around because he has to, and he’s trying to make it work.”

Jake Keller was a stand-out in last week’s 56-point loss to Mypolonga, as were Dylan Ribbons, Aiden Holland and Mitch Heward: “he worked from end to end of the ground, he was relentless in his work ethic, he worked his bum off for his team”.

Young ruck Jacob Stagg looked exciting, too – “he’s the future”.

The Storm, meanwhile, “basically had a bye” in the form of their 130-point shellacking by the Suns.

“Chris Rudiger, he would have got sunburn in the roof of his mouth watching the ball go over his head and through the big white sticks,” Snell said.

They’ve got injury problems of their own, too; but Riley Bowles, Ben Pomery and Shane Paech have been consistent.

Snell reckoned they could get the job done at home.

• Shane’s tip: Mallee

Tailem Bend v Ramblers

The Eagles should see this week’s game as winnable after two much tougher matches against Imps and Jervois.

“Ramblers were disappointing against the Coorong Cats,” Snell said.

“The Coorong Cats smoked ‘em.

“Tailem Bend will see a bit of an opportunity here, they’ll be working hard.”

Tailem’s defence looked good with Louis Merrett and Patrick Glynn, while Brodie Edwards and Aidan Coakley had been really impressive.

For Ramblers, Kye Roberts had proven a very useful pick-up from West Adelaide, having been named in the best players in each of the past three weeks.

Riley Vanson, winger Jacob Trevorrow, “Mr Consistent” Alex Pfeiffer and Keynan Harradine were going well, and the kids were developing.

But playing at home would give the Eagles the edge, Snell predicted.

• Shane’s tip: Tailem Bend

Mypolonga v Coorong

Saturday’s match at Mypolonga Memorial Oval should be a close one.

“Mypo have really hit the curve, they’re on the way up,” Snell said.

“They looked really good against Mannum: good ball use, they connected better, recruits Patrick Davies and Riley Robinson are going well … and they’ve got three good forward targets in Nick Hombsch, Todd Howsen and Stephen Mills.”

The Cats looked good up forward, too, Snell said, with a couple of athletic, six-foot-four marking targets.

But Mypo’s defence looked more settled, whereas the Cats might struggle to shut their opponents down.

• Shane’s tip: Mypolonga