HAWKESDALE-MACARTHUR will host ladder leaders Glenthompson-Dunkeld today at Macarthur Recreation Reserve in round three of the Mininera and District Football League, with the Eagles entering the game on a high after their huge victory against Caramut last weekend.

   The home side booted 34 majors to record their first win of the season, while the Rams are undefeated after the first two rounds with wins against Caramut and Penshurst to start their campaign.

The Eagles will again be looking to play the same style of game as they did against the Swans, with the ball moving forward quickly from stoppages, where James North and Andrew McCartney are waiting in the forward line.

The Rams come into the match playing great football under new coach Tom Waters, who will sit out the match with injury, but he has his team looking to play a high pressure, counter attacking style of game.

Other Games

WICKLIFFE-LAKE BOLAC hosts Tatyoon at Lake Bolac Recreation Reserve with both sides undefeated after the opening two rounds.

Tatyoon will again be looking to get the ball into the hands of Taylor Stewart, who booted 10 goals last round with Andrew Browne and Anthony Rosato named in the Hawks’ best in the first two games.

The Magpies have enjoyed a one-goal win against Hawkesdale-Macarthur and a 44-point victory against Woorndoo-Mortlake in the opening rounds, as James Boseley has produced great early season form.

The winners will remain undefeated and set up a push for the top three and a double chance in finals.

CARAMUT has its second home game of the opening three rounds, hosting against Woorndoo-Mortlake at Caramut Recreation Reserve, with the Swans desperate to gain a win after being soundly thrashed in their opening games.

The home side has only posted three goals for the opening two rounds and was held scoreless in round one, but the only way is up for the Swans.

The Tigers will be expected to win this game after a strong showing against SMW Rovers in round one and winning the second half against the Magpies last Saturday after being held goalless in the opening half.

ARARAT Eagles will be looking to account for Great Western when they host the Lions at Alexandra Oval in the local derby with the Lions going into the game without a loss.

Great Western accounted for Penshurst in round one, before toughing it out against Lismore-Derrinallum by nine points last week.

With Ryan Folkes, Jeremy Cronin and Cooper Perrin all in great touch over the opening two games, they will be hoping to take this form into this game with the intent of giving the visitors the edge needed to defeat the reigning premiers, while the reigning premiers notched a huge win last week against Moyston-Willaura to boost its percentage.

PENSHURST travels to Derrinallum Recreation Reserve to battle Lismore-Derrinallum in hopes of getting on the winners list after two defeats to begin the 2023 season.

The Bombers are looking to their younger players to step up this year and these players have taken the fight up to Great Western and Glenthompson-Dunkeld in the opening games, only to fall away in the last term when they needed to lift the intensity to claim the points.

The Demons had a tough loss against Great Western away from home last Saturday after a huge home victory in round one, and with this game also at home they should be favoured to take the points today especially if they nullify the impact of Penshurst’s Henry Bensch, who has been the Bombers’ best player to date.

SMW ROVERS must be favoured to defeat Moyston-Willaura at Willaura Recreation Reserve, despite neither team having posted a win in 2023.

The Bulldogs led Tatyoon at the first change of ends last week, but failed to push on, as the Hawks lifted their intensity over the final three terms.

The Pumas have been trounced twice after kicking only two goals in each of the opening rounds and would have to have a complete form reversal to claim victory.