What an absolute brilliant season we are having up to this stage - fair dinkum exciting! Just have a look at the Senior ladder to see how things are. In reality, anyone of the teams from Echuca at the top to Tatura at position 9 could beat the other on any given day and how important is this weeks clash at Kings Park where the Seymour Lions take on the Shepparton Swans for the 6th possie on the ladder - if the Lions win this will make life very difficult for the Swans as they will be 8 points out of the 6. And, have a look at the other clubs fighting for the 6th spot, Mansfield should beat Euroa and Tatura should defeat Shepp so there will be a lot of wishing and hoping this week-end with many people trying to get the scores from other venues. 'Phew!
Anyway, back to last week to complete Round 11. Many supporters have stated that the game at Princess Park was one of the best games seen for many a year where the Swans kicked 15 goals 5 behinds but were chasing the Kyabram Bombers all day who ended up kicking 27 goals 6 behinds with the mercurial Paul NEWMAN slotting a lazy 10. Ky. over the Swans by 12 goals 1 behind on a perfect ground in great conditions - does this say something about Ky? Afro ATKINS was brilliant all day, Jesse FINNEN was named the Swans best player. Over at Rochester the Tigers had their noses in front all day but got a bit of a scare in the last quarter when the Eagles from Mansfield kicked 6 goals 2 to Rochy 2 goals 5. A 10 point win to the Tigers with Perry OLIVER and Elliot BOWEN both bagging 5 - Sam BRENNAN and Ash WATSON were very good for Rochy whereas young Brett MAHONEY was solid all day for Mansfield as was the Monster David MENSCH who kicked 4 and was named in the best. Tatura spoiled Euroa's premiership re-unions with an 84 point win - Cameron TREWIN kicked 8 goals for the Bulldogs who had 21 very good players whereas many of the Magpies were down on the day but were well served by Brendan ALLEN and Ed CARRACHER.
And at the half way mark (well, lets say after everyone has played everone) - we still have two undefeated sides with the Kyabram Reserves soaring with 11 wins on the trot and a magnificient percentage of 372.03 having kicked 1157 points (192 goals 5 points) and only having 311 points (51 goals 5 points) kicked against them. And we have the Rochy Under 18's with 1127 points (187 goals 5 points) for and only 444 points (74 goals) kicked against them - but Rochy Thirds have the Shepp kids sweating on them having just lost one game up to this stage which was of course against Rochy but only by 8 points over at Rochy in Round 2.
Because of the ladder positions in the Seniors, each round from now on is really chock a block with excitement. 2nd (Mooroopna) play 5th (Rochester); top (Echuca) play 4th Shepp United; 6th (Seymour) v 7th (Swans). Without any real explanation, the home club will be named first with the tipped winner to be underlined and bolded. Mooroopna at home to Rochester because the Cats were very good last outing at the Cattery against Echuca and will be fresh and raring to go after the week off. Echuca up on the banks of the River Murray against Shepparton United because Echuca have the guns MURRAY and HEIGHT and may have RINALDI back from a few weeks off - but; Shepparton United will be boosted with the expected return of the powerful Jason EAGLE up forward and are very pleased with the release of Matthew PIANTO from Port Melbourne and may have a real quality recruit having a run in the midday game after an extended lay-off with injury. Shepparton host Tatura at Deakin Reserve with the Bulldogs being a real chance to play finals but must continue to win - they should not have too much trouble against the Bears. Kyabram could really crush the Benalla Saints over at Ky - they will miss youngsters Jake REEVES and Liam OGDEN who will return to the Bushies but they have terrific depth (read excellent Reserves) who will go hell for leather to consolidate their spots in the Senior team. Likewise up in the High Country, the Mansfield Eagles could also have a big win against the Euroa Magpies who have lost two players just before clearances closed but you cannot deny the Magpie spirit and the fact Euroa do have some really exciting youngsters in VARLEY, BELL and Van DUINEN. This final game mentioned is probably the match of the round because so much hinges on the result. This game is at Kings Park at Seymour who is your tipsters selection to defeat the Shepparton Swans - if reasons were given it would be too hard to describe with any great confidence. This is the one game out of the round where your tipster is not so sure as to who will win although I am pretty sure the game will be a real beautie.
Until next week, lets hope we can get some more rain, lets hope the days are fine and lets hope we are up and raring to go again despite the results of this week-ends games. Until then, take care!
Last Modified on 29/08/2010 14:28