Predicting how the Ovens and Murray League season will finish
There’s just a month remaining in the Ovens and Murray League season and we’ve tried to predict how it will all play out.
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The Ovens and Murray League is in the home stretch.
With four games remaining in the home-and-away season the race for the top five is red hot.
We’ve dusted off he crystal ball and attempted to predict where every club will finish.
No doubt it will be provide some message board motivation for all teams and fans.
Wangaratta (13-0-1, 268.20%)
Last four: Myrtleford (A), Wodonga Raiders (H), Lavington (A), Yarrawonga (H)
Three more wins would seal the minor premiership on percentage. The Magpies should get it done in the next three contests but finals aspirants Myrtleford and Lavington will be tough tests away from home. The final round could be a grand final preview with Wangaratta to take on second-placed Yarrawonga.
Prediction: WWWW — 1st
Yarrawonga (12-0-2, 165.20%)
Last four: Corowa-Rutherglen (H), North Albury (A), Albury (H), Wangaratta (A)
Still an outside chance of finishing on the top of the ladder but the Pigeons would need Wangaratta to drop two games on the way home due to the huge difference in percentage. The last two games against the other fellow top three sides is the perfect tune up for a finals series. But it will be interesting to see how much they might give away. Could we see some players rested?
Prediction: WWWL — 2nd
Albury (10-0-4, 131.67%)
Last four: Wodonga Raiders (A), Lavington (H), Yarrawonga (A), Wangaratta Rovers (H)
Should book its finals spot in the next two weeks with wins over Wodonga Raiders and Lavington. The Tigers then have perfect preparations for finals, facing Yarrawonga away and then the Wangaratta Rovers in the final round. Albury should seal three wins in the final four rounds to finish inside the top three and secure the double chance.
Prediction: WWLW — 3rd
Myrtleford (8-0-6, 113.31%)
Last four: Wangaratta (H), Wodonga (A), Wodonga Raiders (H), Corowa-Rutherglen (A)
An intriguing last month awaits the Saints. They’ll start off with a huge test against Wangaratta on Saturday afternoon but then should comfortably get the job done in the three remaining games. A trip to take on the Roos in the final game of the season could be a danger game depending on where the home side will sit heading into the final round.
Prediction: LWWW — 4th
Wangaratta Rovers (8-0-6, 103.91%)
Last four: Wodonga (H), Corowa-Rutherglen (A), North Albury (H), Albury (A)
Rovers currently hold the last spot in the race for finals footy and are trying to hold off other teams to stay there. Two more wins should be enough for the side to qualify and stay in fifth. The team is likely to get those two against Wodonga and North Albury and would consider themselves a genuine shot at beating Corowa-Rutherglen away in what looms as a deciding game in the finals race. Rovers should do enough to qualify for the finals for the first time since 2014.
Prediction: WLWL — 5th
Lavington (7-0-7, 96.96%)
Last four: North Albury (H), Albury (A), Wangaratta (H), Wodonga Raiders (A)
The reigning premier is playing catch up in its bid to defend the 2019 final in finals action. If they are to make the five, the Panthers will need to upset either Albury or Wangaratta. It would be a massive turnaround if they’re able to considering they lost by 59 and 91 points in their respective meetings with those sides earlier in the year. Wins against the other two clubs should be comfortable.
Prediction: WLLW — 6th
Corowa-Rutherglen (6-0-8, 82.42%)
Last four: Yarrawonga (A), Wangaratta Rovers (H), Wodonga (A), Myrtleford (H)
The Kangaroos would need to win all their remaining games to be a chance of making finals. Their run home makes it tough with three games against those already in the finals race. It starts with Yarrawonga (2nd) this week before they face Wangaratta Rovers (5th) and Myrtleford (4th). The Roos would deserve their finals spot with wins over those teams but it seems unlikely to happen at this stage.
Prediction: LWWL — 7th
Wodonga (4-0-10, 83%)
Last four: Wangaratta Rovers (A), Myrtleford (H), Corowa-Rutherglen (H), North Albury (H)
While finals are out of the question, the Bulldogs still have an important role to play in shaping just how the top five will finish. Their form has been down the last two weeks but if they can find anywhere near their best, we won’t be surprised if they cause an upset or two. Fans should be able to celebrate the end of the home and away season with a win.
Prediction: LLLW — 8th
Wodonga Raiders (1-0-13, 49.78%)
Last four: Albury (H), Wangaratta (A), Myrtleford (A), Lavington (H)
A tough run home makes it unlikely the Raiders will win another game this season. The Raiders play top five teams Albury, Wangaratta and Myrtleford in the next three rounds before facing a Lavington side who may need a large win to qualify themselves for finals. The Raiders will be making sure their last month of football doesn’t hand them the wooden spoon, only ahead of North Albury on percentage.
Prediction: LLLL — 9th
North Albury (1-0-13, 41.18%)
Last four: Lavington (A), Yarrawonga (H), Wangaratta Rovers (A), Wodonga (H)
Another difficult season for the Hoppers will conclude with a month of finals footy against opposition clubs hoping to extend their 2022 as far as possible. This weekend’s trip to Lavington could represent the biggest chance to win on the way home having lost to the Panthers by 15 points earlier in the year.
Prediction: LLLL — 10th
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