Top-of-the-table showdown
Intrigue surrounds a top-of-thetable contest between MinyipMurtoa and Ararat as the final round of Wimmera Football League’s home and away season gets underway on Saturday.
The top-ranked Burras are undefeated in 2019 and look every inch a premiership fancy.
They defeated the Rats by 35 points in a physical round nine contest, and if they can repeat the feat this weekend they will send a clear warning to the rest of the league.
Minyip-murtoa is coming off a 14.11 (95) to 6.5 (41) win against Nhill in which it was tested early before pulling away in the second quarter.
With Jae Mcgrath, seven goals, firing up forward, midfielder Tim Mcintyre winning the ball out of the centre and defender Tim Mackenzie controlling proceedings down back, the Burras were able to canter to a win.
Toby Case, Jake Harrap and Colby Blyth were the best for the Tigers, who will conclude their season against Stawell this weekend.
Ararat, meanwhile, should be raring to go after a scrappy win against Horsham.
The Demons simply did not have enough firepower to contend with the
Rats, despite throwing everything at them in the 12.12 (84) to 7.10 (52) result.
Star midfielder Dan Mendes kicked three goals for Ararat, with Jake Williamson, Grady Slocombe and key back Dylan Shelley among the other standouts.
Horsham captain Ben Lakin turned in his third straight best-afield performance for the Demons, with ruckman Billy Carberry and youngster Matt Wynne also turning in creditable games.
The Demons will face Warrack Eagles, fresh off a bye, in the final round as they prepare to miss the finals for the first time in nearly two decades.
The match of the round between Horsham Saints and Southern Mallee Giants saw the Giants scrape home with a thrilling three-point win, 8.11 (59) to 7.14 (56).
Forward Josh Webster was the hero for the home team, breaking a run of three straight behinds in the dying minutes of the term as the Giants desperately surged forward.
Webster ended with five goals in one of his best games this year, finishing off the hard work of midfielders Tyler Lehmann and Lou White.
It marks the first time the Saints have lost to the Giants since the southern Mallee outfit joined the league last season, and a potential finals rematch seems enticing. For now though, the Saints will focus on Dimboola as they try to close the season with some momentum.
The Roos experienced something of a letdown at the weekend, albeit against a strong side in Stawell.
The Warriors were in control from the start of the 17.15 (117) to 6.6 (42) win, with defender Paul Summers carving up the Roos with his rebound from the back half.
Summers and centre half back Jackson Dark were springboards into attack for the Warriors, with onballer Tom Eckel serving as a conduit to full forward Cody Driscoll who booted five goals.
Jarryd Graham, Elliot Braithwaite and Sam Godden were Dimboola’s best in the loss.
With one round to play the top five is nearly set.
Minyip-murtoa is safe atop the ladder, Ararat has a lead of four points and plenty of percentage on the thirdplaced Giants, who themselves will bank four points with a bye.
Fifth-placed Horsham Saints could overtake fourth-placed Stawell, but would require the Warriors to falter against Nhill – a scenario that appears unlikely.