Cobram is the only undefeated outfit after five rounds of Murray Football League action and the Tigers will put that record on the line against Echuca United today.
The Eagles will unveil recruit Andrew Welsh to their fans at Echuca South Recreation Reserve, with the veteran of 162 AFL games at Essendon set to bring plenty of supporters through the gates.
Cobram fought hard to defeat Katandra last round, powering away late in the game for a 37-point victory.
Coach Josh Noonan is keen for his charges to continue their winning ways when they take to the field today.
‘‘Overall we’re really happy especially considering the injuries that we’ve faced,’’ Noonan told the Riverine Herald.
‘‘But there is still plenty of room for improvement.
‘‘United have got a few more mature bodies compared to us.
‘‘Our challenge is going to be matching them in that department.
‘‘We rate our outside game as the best in the competition so we’re hoping to exploit them in that area.
‘‘Stopping their main playmakers is the biggest challenge.’’
Steven Stallion was outstanding for the Tigers with five goals last week as Izac Artavilla and Nick Wines also stood tall in the triumph.
For the Eagles, Josh Mellington played a lone hand in attack with six majors in a 20-point loss to Numurkah — the side’s first of the season.
‘‘We get to put last week behind us in certain respects and tackle the top side,’’ United coach Guy Campbell told the Riverine Herald.
‘‘There were a lot of things we took from the game but we need to take that to another level.
‘‘A lot of the boys were down on their recent performances so we need a lift from everyone.
‘‘There’s no doubting the experience he (Welsh) has brought to the playing group.
‘‘We’ve got him on board as the cream on top of the cake.
‘‘We’re hoping with the team we do have that he is the final finish for us.’’
Barooga v Moama
It is not panic stations yet for Barooga or Moama, but whichever team out of the two does claim victory today might be feeling the pinch.
The Hawks have just one win for the year and the Magpies none, meaning there is plenty on the line at Barooga Recreation Reserve when the outfits go head-to-head.
Chris Keys was great for Barooga last week, as was Zac Brain, Kris Bextream and Riley Brooks.
For the Magpies, Lachie Thorp, Jack Harland, Fraser Buchanan and Grady Ward worked hard to get their side within seven points of Finley when the final siren sounded, but the team will be craving victory today.
Finley v Nathalia
Finley is facing a long layover after today’s contest against Nathalia — giving the Cats every reason to throw the kitchen sink at the Purples.
With an interleague bye followed by a round seven fixture, which was played before the regular season started, it will be June 1 before the Cats return to the field, and the likes of Lachie Hawkins, Luke Moore, Paul Massingham and Robb Jewell will be looking to ensure their side hits its time off with a winning feeling.
Nathalia survived a late challenge from Mulwala last round and will look to the likes of Bailey Bell, Drew Barnes, Tom Nihill and Adam Jorgensen to put this game to bed early.
Mulwala v Numurkah
Mulwala almost snatched victory from Nathalia last week, but was left with a two-point defeat when the final siren sounded.
The Lions will be out to snare a win today against Numurkah with Dylan Flanagan, Hamish Hosking, Lachie Rouel and Sean Robinson all in great form last round.
Hosking’s battle against Blues’ big man Mitch Price will be worth the entry fee to today’s clash itself, with two of the premier ruckman in the competition set to excite those in attendance at Lonsdale Reserve.
Dylan Taylor, Grant Gallus and Michael Herlihy were also standouts in Numurkah’s win against Echuca United last time out.
Congupna v Tungamah
Two Murray Football League teams balancing on either side of the top eight will face off today.
Congupna has two wins from five starts, but maintains a healthy percentage of over 101.
It means if The Road can go on a winning run they will promptly shoot up the table and firmly into finals calculations.
Tungamah started the year on fire, but has cooled in recent weeks to fall to a 3-2 record.
Both outfits will be keen to sing the song tonight and head into the interleague bye with plenty of momentum.
Ash Saunders and Bodhi Butts have been dominating for the Bears, as have Josh Chapman and Daniel Campbell for Congupna.
Rumbalara v Deniliquin
A clash of tactics will ensue at Mercury Dve today as Rumbalara and Deniliquin search for supremacy.
Rumba love to attack at all costs on their small home ground, jumping defensive battle lines in an instant regularly throughout their fixtures.
Those defensive battle lines will be heavily fortified today though with the Rams only conceding slightly more than 55 points a game this season.
Nathan Terlich, David Smith, Clayton McCartney and Marlon Johnstone combined for 15 majors last week as Rumba broke through for their first win of the year, while Deniliquin’s Ash Morris and Ricky Gittens stood tall in a triumph against Barooga.
Katandra v Tongala
Tomorrow’s clash between Katandra and Tongala will see plenty of stars in attendance as the WorkSafe Game of the Month comes to town.
Collingwood big man Mason Cox and Katandra product David Teague will headline proceedings, with a big crowd expected for the standalone Sunday fixture.
On the field the Kats are still chasing their first win of the year, while the Blues have two under their belt from five matches.
Trent Herbert, Xavier Chalkley and Brady Black (three goals) stood out for Katandra in a loss to Cobram last week, while Cam Ilett, Coby McCarthy and Riley Bacon were impressive for Tongala in a win against Congupna.