Ovens & Murray, Omeo-District: Injury-ravaged Wodonga stays in finals hunt

A country footy powerhouse is at risk of missing finals for the first time in more than a decade. See what teams it plays in the next two games.

Albury has been sent crashing out of the Ovens & Murray league top-five with an injury-ravaged Wodonga keeping its finals hopes alive with a gritty 12-point victory on Saturday.

The Tigers have won seven flags since they last missed finals in 2008, but have plummeted to sixth spot with Wodonga proving more accurate in front of goal in the crucial moments.

Wodonga led by 23 points at the last change before Albury made a late charge and closed to within nine points.

But it could only manage 3.5 to 2.0 in the final quarter with youngster Jack Mathey’s second goal for the match providing the sealer approaching time-on.

Albury has dropped its last two matches to North Albury and Wodonga, which has co-coach Jack O’Sullivan at the top of a long list of season-ending injuries.

Albury plays reigning premier Yarrawonga and Wangaratta in its next two games with Wodonga needing to beat Wangaratta Rovers and Lavington in the next fortnight to stay ahead of the Tigers.

North Albury tumbled to a second heavy defeat to Wangaratta Rovers this season to open the door for Wangaratta to grab third spot.

OMEO DISTRICT

Omeo-Benambra is ideally positioned to win its first flag since 2007 after thrashing second-placed Lindenow South by 99 points in the final round on Saturday.

The result was put beyond doubt when Omeo-Benambra booted nine goals to three in the second term to lead by 40 points at halftime.

Harry Warfe sealed the league’s goal kicking award in his first year with Omeo-Benambra when he booted seven goals to finish on 82 goals for the season.

But he was upstaged by former Brisbane player Ryan Harwood, who booted nine goals in his fourth match for the season.

Omeo-Benambra coach Josh Piper has led his team to the minor premiership. Picture: Supplied

Lindenow South was the only team to beat Omeo-Benambra this season, but since the June 22 win the Swampies have dropped matches to out-of-contention Swan Reach and reigning premier Swifts Creek, which has finished fourth following a slow start to the season.

Omeo-Benambra and Lindenow South will meet in the second semi-final in a fortnight and Bruthen and Swifts Creek will play in the first semi-final next Saturday.

Swan Reach climbed off the bottom of the ladder with an upset 37-point win against Bruthen in the last round.

Meanwhile, Tumbarumba beat Corryong in the Upper Murray first semi-final by 68 points.

CENTRAL MURRAY

Balranald is in grave danger of missing finals after going down to Tyntynder by 11 points on the same day Nyah-Nyah West United was bumped from top spot by Kerang.

After playing off in the grand final last year, Balranald has been unable to recapture the same form to match it with the leading teams in 2024 and fell out of the top-five with only three rounds remaining.

It has been replaced by a red-hot Cohuna Kangas, who have won their last six matches.

Balranald and Cohuna Kangas have byes next Saturday before Balranald plays another top-five team Woorinen and the Kangas meet out-of-contention Swan Hill.

Veteran forward Jason Eagle kicked six goals and star recruit Jayden Magro booted three for Tyntynder, which won’t play finals.

Matthew Neagle returned from injury for Balranald on Saturday. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Balranald coach Jydon Neagle has been sidelined with injury since mid-June and his brother Matthew returned after missing the last two games.

South Australian recruit Darcy Hourigan booted four goals for Mallee Eagles in their win over NNWU with Paul Davis, Jayden Post and Joe Halloran also among the best.

Reigning premier Kerang took over top spot with a 20-point win against Woorinen with defenders Bradlee Pay and Lachlan Ross playing starring roles.