Moama and Rochester is one of the blockbuster encounters coming our way in the McMahon Shield over the next fortnight, the winner almost guaranteed a top two finish. Photos: Bruce Povey.
As the McMahon Shield season approaches its climax, the possible permutations of where sides will finish have begun to narrow.
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With two rounds of two-day fixtures remaining, and only seven matches left to be played in the season, there are only six sides still in contention for a finals spot.
The most likely top three at this stage is some combination of Echuca, Moama and Rochester, as the trio are at least a game clear of fourth and have no upcoming bye denying them points over the final two rounds.
Echuca currently holds a half-game advantage over the other two, but with two-day games offering up the opportunity to score 18 points with an outright win, that six-point margin isn’t safe.
Rochester and Moama will face each other beginning Saturday at Windridge Oval, the winner almost assured a place in the top two, while Echuca will encounter a desperate Kyabram Fire Brigade at Victoria Park.
Angus Martin’s Rochester side will have a home ground advantage in the round 13 clash with Moama.
Photo by
BrucePoveyPhotos.com 2022
The Flames have a game in hand over Echuca South and BLU but are 18 points adrift of the Lions in fourth spot.
Another loss puts their season on the brink, while an unlikely outright win over the three-time champion would set up a blockbuster points shoot-out between the two in the final round.
The final match-up of round 13 has no finals implications, but there will be plenty of pride on the line at Gunbower Recreation Reserve in the contest between Leitchville-Gunbower and Tongala.
L-G were almost the competition’s surprise packet this year and will hope to finish the season on a high with a win over the Blues.
In turn, Tonny will be looking to show it can compete with a side just above it on the table, the prospect of overtaking L-G still on the table if they remain perfect in the last month.
McMahon Shield ladder
1. Echuca 96 points
2. Moama 90
3. Rochester 90
4. Bamawm-Lockington United 78
5. Echuca South 66
6. Kyabram Fire Brigade 60
7. Leitchville-Gunbower 54
8. Tongala 30
9. Nondies-Cohuna 6
Whatever Fire Brigade’s fate in round 13, there is sure to be plenty to play for in the final round as BLU and Echuca South jump back into action.
The Lions’ last fixture, beginning on February 15, is against Echuca, while the Swans, 12 points behind the Lions at present, have the equally imposing prospect of Moama awaiting them.
Wherever it ends up going into the final round, Kyabram will be looking for maximum points against Tongala for the best opportunity to move on to the post season, while Rochester will be looking to improve its finals draw against bottom side Nondies-Cohuna.
Remaining fixtures
(Two-day games)
Round 13 - February 1/8
Echuca vs Kyabram - Victoria Park
Rochester vs Moama - Windridge Oval
Leitchville-Gunbower vs Tongala - Gunbower Recreation Reserve
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