by Jim Gordon
OUYEN UNITED V JEPARIT RAINBOW
The last time these two sides met, Ouyen United won a torrid Preliminary Final at Underbool. The result was in the balance until half way through the final quarter when the Demons broke away in the wind and rain to come out on top.
It should be a tough contest once again and once again United may just come out ahead, this time on their home ground. A lot will depend on how the Lakers backline teams up against the likes of the power pact Bradley Vallance at centre half forward and the enigmatic Sonny Lindsay at full forward. In what could be a tough initiation for them, new Lakers Daniel Greigg and Luke Bryne will probably pick up those two key position players.
Both sides have been busy recruiting over summer and both have good practice match form; Jeparit Rainbow against Taylors Lake and Horsham and Ouyen United against Mildura and Woorinen.
Justin Chilver should be able to dominate in the ruck, but the United onballers are a class act even if they find they have to rove to the opposition ruckman. Glenn Joyce, Marc Hahnel and Peter Caldow should tip the centreline clashes United’s way.
They will need to play well, because the Lakers also have an accomplished on ball brigade in Heath and Ash Clugston, new coach Luke Werner and recruits Ben Marra, Andrew Jackson and Matt McIntosh. Jeparit Rainbow will need to win around the packs if they are to trouble United.
The Lakers will miss Dean Schumann who is out with a leg injury, but United have their share of troubles and will be without key playmakers Jarrod Munro, Wayne Grace and Andrew Jardine who could be missing for six weeks with an Achilles problem. The Ouyen United Club wishes Gracie all the best after an injury to his neck that necessitated a stay at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne.
It will be a tough first up game for the improved Jeparit Rainbow. They are a much more impressive side now than they were a couple of years ago. In Ben Zanker and Andrew Hiscock they have the forwards to kick goals and their midfielders are also capable of scoring freely. Yet it may not be enough to get them past the talented Demons.
SEA LAKE NANDALY TIGERS V BEULAH
Reigning premiers Beulah look to be too strong and far too accomplished to be troubled by the Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers at Sea Lake on Saturday. Not only did the Blues win the Senior flag last year, but they also took out the Reserves premiership indicating a depth of player talent that has not diminished this year.
This is a club that always expects to do well and there is no reason to suggest that they will fall away under the leadership of coach Scott Smith and new assistant coach Dale Shannon. Shannon is a great asset to his club as he has the ability to guide and look after the younger members of the team without neglecting his own game.
Everything has been going well for the Blues. They have no major injury worries, they have had a solid number of players at training and they are bound to stir up a lot of interest throughout the year due to the recruits that they have picked up.
Signing AFL player David King is a big recruiting coup. His practice match form against Warracknabeal indicates that he will prove to be a real headache for opposition clubs. Of even more interest to the club, and to opposition supporters, could be the form of a string of Irish recruits joining the club. The Blues have been impressed and excited by their playing potential and they are some of the fittest players running around.
The Sea Lake/Nandaly Tigers did not make the finals last year, but they have recruited well and still have a core of premiership players from 2009. Coach Colin Durie put the team through a gruelling pre-season and even if they do not get the points against the Blues this week, we can expect a tough and determined outfit that could improve markedly as the season progresses.
Whilst Beulah is expecting youngsters Tim Sandford and Kai Forsyth to press for senior selection, the Tigers have youth at their disposal in Geordan McLaughlan, Jason Campbell and Reece Thomas along with Andy Roberts who played senior footy last year, all looking to don the black and yellow.
Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers will be pleased to get within a few goals of the Blues. They have a lot to make up for this season, and could be the big improvers. It is too much to ask for them to win this week, but they should be competitive and will come out determined to do well and set a benchmark early in the season.
WOOMELANG LASCELLES V WALPEUP UNDERBOOL
When these two sides clashed last year, Walpeup Underbool came out on top both times. These were the only games the Roos won for the year and even though Woomelang Lascelles probably played their best football against the Roos, they had a dismal season overall and at times were terribly undermanned. The Cats are calling 2010 the ‘…year of the injury‘.
With that dismal season behind them, both sides will be looking to make an early statement as they will realise that whoever loses will be battling to match it with other the MFL sides who all seem to have recruited well.
Under coach Kane Munro, Walpeup Underbool are likely to come out firing, especially with the new players that they have picked up. Wade Champion at centre half forward and Jeremy Rowe across half back should add class to a side that certainly has a lot of talent all over the ground, but rarely produced anything of note in 2010. Another player worth watching will be Sam McDonald who has impressed in pre season work showing plenty of skill and pace. These players should be able to work well with Travis and Darren Latta and the Munro brothers.
The Cats have kept most of last year’s list, at the same time they have gained numbers and have some outstandingly talented young players. Rohan Coburn from Swan Hill can play half back, wing or on ball. Jayden Lonergan was with Lake Boga last year and he could line up at full forward or on the ball.
Walpeup Underbool should be close to full strength with only the newly wed Matt Palmer not available due to his honeymoon.
The Cats have done the work over summer and now want to regain the respect they demanded in the mid 2000s. They could stick with the Roos early in the game, but expect Walpeup Underbool to be amongst the improvers in 2011, starting with a win at Woomelang.
Last Modified on 30/03/2011 17:40
