Sunraysia football round 13: Mildura’s Ben Camilleri, Wentworth’s Jordan McKinnon, Irymple’s Zac Wandin

A pair of top four challengers secured important wins in the Sunraysia league. Find out who the standout players were.

Imperials midfielder Bryce Hards was again in good form for his side. Picture: Michael DiFabrizio

The finals race in Sunraysia football has entered a crucial stage after wins at the weekend to Mildura and Wentworth.

Both clubs are eyeing off a top four berth and the fifth-placed Demons moved within striking distance due to a win over fourth-placed South Mildura.

But the run home has been complicated but the moving of two mid-season rounds to the end of the calendar due to the Covid lockdown break.

It means some teams have two byes remaining, while others have none.

Here is the run home for each club as the race heats up.

Imperials (1st, 32 points, 7 games to play): Mildura, Ouyen United, Merbein, Wentworth, South Mildura, Merbein, Wentworth

Merbein (2nd, 30 points, 7 games to play): Wentworth, South Mildura, Imperials, Irymple, Red Cliffs, Imperials, Irymple

Irymple (3rd, 28 points, 7 games to play): Robinvale Euston, Mildura, Ouyen United, Merbein, Wentworth, Ouyen United, Merbein

South Mildura (4th, 26 points, 5 games to play): Ouyen United, Merbein, Wentworth, bye, Imperials, Wentworth, bye

Mildura (5th, 24 points, 6 games to play): Imperials, Irymple, Red Cliffs, Robinvale Euston, bye, Red Cliffs, Robinvale Euston

Wentworth (6th, 20 points, 6 games to play): Merbein, bye, South Mildura, Imperials, Irymple, South Mildura, Imperials

Robinvale Euston (7th, 8 points, 5 games to play): Irymple, Red Cliffs, bye, Mildura, Ouyen United, bye, Mildura

Ouyen United (8th, 4 points, 7 games to play): South Mildura, Imperials, Irymple, Red Cliffs, Robinvale Euston, Irymple, Red Cliffs

Red Cliffs (9th, 4 points, 6 games to play): bye, Robinvale Euston, Mildura, Ouyen United, Merbein, Mildura, Ouyen United

Let’s take a look at the best players from the round just completed.

Ben Camilleri (Mildura)

Medium marking forward Ben Camilleri offered plenty for Mildura in their 43-point win over South Mildura.

Camilleri kicked three goals and had a strong influence on the contest.

In what was a crucial game for both teams, the Demons held the Bulldogs to just one goal in each of the first three quarters, going into the last term with a healthy 46-point advantage.

It meant Mildura reduced the gap behind South to just two points, with the Demons having an extra game to play to make up ground.

Jordan McKinnon (Wentworth)

Wentworth utility Jordan McKinnon booted four goals – his best return of the season – to help his side get back on track.

The Roos defeated Ouyen United by 50 points, keeping their finals calculations very much alive in front of a home crowd.

McKinnon has been in a particularly strong run of form over the past month or so.

His efforts up forward were slightly bested, however, by coach Wade Hancock kicking five goals on his return from injury.

Wentworth sit in sixth place, six points behind fourth-placed South Mildura with an extra game in hand.

Zac Wandin (Irymple)

Irymple captain Zac Wandin is ever reliable in defence and was helping set up his side in their 53-point win over Red Cliffs.

Wandin provides run out of the back line and is well regarded across the league.

The Swallows moved back into third spot on the ladder after their win and South Mildura’s loss.

Bryce Hards (Imperials)

Imps recruit Bryce Hards was getting his hands on the footy in the side’s 46-point home win against Robinvale Euston.

Hards joined from Upper Ferntree Gully in the Eastern league to play with his cousins and has brought plenty in his short time in Sunraysia.

The win meant Imps jumped over Merbein for top spot on the ladder, with the Magpies having the bye this weekend.

Josh Dean (Mildura)

Josh Dean has continued his strong first season at Mildura after crossing over from Wentworth.

The midfielder was again prominent in the win over South Mildura, while Kane Dawson, the returned Marcus Healy, Zac Nelson and Cameron Kiel also played well.

Rising star Taj Stevens had one of his best efforts so far for the Bulldogs.

Jack Carter (Wentworth)

Wentworth midfielder Jack Carter saw a lot of the footy in his side’s win against Ouyen United.

Also among the Roos’ best were ruckman Nick Jensen, big man Damon Tually and Lachlan Murdoch.

For the Kangas, Ben Mole impressed.

Dan Coghlan (Irymple)

Irymple’s star co-coach Dan Coghlan is always prominent and once more had plenty of influence against Red Cliffs, including kicking three goals.

Nick Pezzaniti was also amongst it up forward with five goals for the Swallows, while Nando Cirillo, Heath Caldwell, Jason Hura and Mitch Christensen offered strong contributions.

Peter Tuifao led the way for the Tigers.

Ben Galbraith (Imperials)

Ben Galbraith was again key for Imperials in running the footy out of defence during their win, with Ryan Hards, Reagan Scott, Matt Mazzini and Layne McHugh also among the best.

Joseph Mezzatesta, who kicked two goals, was best for a youthful Robinvale Euston side.

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