by Jim Gordon
JEPARIT RAINBOW V BEULAH
Even playing at home Jeparit Rainbow are going to have a tough time trying to contain a Beulah side that has accounted for both Ouyen United and Hopetoun in recent weeks. The Blues have bounced back well after their opening round shocker against Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers. With Beulah’s Kim Hallam playing well in the ruck and small men such as Dale Shannon in great form, the Laker onballers are going to have their work cut out for them getting the ball out of the centre.
Justin Chilver is nevertheless a very handy big man to have at the centre bounces and when he combines with Heath and Ashley Clugston, the Lakers are able to generate a lot of drive around the packs. If this trio can get on top of the Beulah midfield, Jeparit Rainbow forwards will benefit, and with Andrew Hiscock returning, the Laker forward line will have increased marking power.
The Beulah forward line is all class. David King and Peter Lehmann have had a lot of the ball in Beulah’s two wins for the season and their ability to take a high mark will test out the Jeparit Rainbow defence.
Jeparit Rainbow is expecting a lot this year from new recruits Ben Marra, Daniel Greigg, Andrew Jackson and Luke Byrne. They have played well so far, Ben Marra and Daniel Greigg in the first round loss to Ouyen United and Andrew Jackson has been named one of Jeparit Rainbow’s best in both of the Laker’s matches.
Jeparit Rainbow have had the bye and then a further break over Easter. Combined with two losses, they could be slow to get going against the Blues. They cannot afford to give Beulah a start. The Lakers have been competitive in their first two games, they no doubt will try to be the same this week, but Beulah will be too strong, too fast and too talented for the Lakers.
HOPETOUN V WALPEUP UNDERBOOL
A resurgent Walpeup Underbool takes on a talented Hopetoun side at Hopetoun this week in a vital game for both sides. The Devils were impressive in their Round Two win against Jeparit Rainbow and under the tutelage of the prodigiously talented Kain Robbins, they will fancy their chances to bounce back after the disappointment of losing to Beulah before Easter.
This is the first home game for the Devils; they will want to perform well in front of their home crowd and it should be a tightly contested match with even contests all around the ground. The Devils’ defence’s big task will be to nullify Matt Brown who was quiet against Woomelang Lascelles, but prominent against Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers and Wade Champion, who has been amongst the Roos best both games.
Expect Leigh Hutchinson to once again be a leader in defence for Hopetoun and he will be closely backed up by Simon Cook and David Baulch. The Hopetoun on ballers can ease the pressure on the Hopetoun backline by winning the ball in the centre, but they will have to somehow come up with a way to nullify the experienced Roo onballers Luke Nathan and Chris Vorwerk.
Luke Milroy and Ruben Vesikuru are playing well for the Devils and they will be ably assisted by the return of Zac Taggert in the middle.
The Walpeup Underbool defence will have their work cut out stopping the likes of Bryce Wellington and Kain Robins, but with Jim Wakefield and Chris Lynch, they have plenty of experience in that department.
Unfortunately for Hopetoun, Walpeup Underbool will come out raring to go and eagre to prove that they will be a force in Mallee Football this season. Not only are they in form, but welcome back four of their most talented and experienced players, returning to a side that won against Sea Lake. Scott Munro, Darren Latta, Matt Palmer, Dean Slorach will add marking power, strength around the ground and an ability to use the ball with precision.
The Roos always find it to be a tough and tight contest against Hopetoun at Hopetoun. It will be interesting to see if Walpeup Underbool can continue the good form shown before the two week break. A win is essential for both clubs to keep their seasons on target for a finals berth and the Roos should come out on top this time.
OUYEN UNITED V WOOMELANG LASCELLES
The third of three terrific games sees the Ouyen United Demons take on the undefeated Woomelang Lascelles Cats at Blackburn Park this Saturday.
This promises to be a great game. Ouyen United play a game that relies on its midfield giving talented forwards Brad Vallance and Sonny Lindsey a chance to go one on one with defenders. So far this year the United midfield has been down, making it harder for its attack to create space and movement.
A key match up this week will be Joel Donnan on Brad Vallance. This could be the barometer of the match itself as they are both brilliant young footballers, capable of winning the game off their own boot. Against Beulah, it was Brad Vallance and Brett Knowles who kept United in the game all day.
Woomelang Lascelles have no injuries to report from Saturday’s win against Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers. Tony Mudge was a late withdrawal due to knee soreness, but he will definitely play against the Demons.
Ouyen United will be strengthened with the return of Andrew Jardine in defence, but they will still be missing Ben McCleary. Devan Pohlner is out with a broken collar bone, Wayne Grace is still not ready and there is lingering doubt on the fitness of Kieran O‘Shannessy.
The Cats have plenty of depth this year with quite a few players knocking on the door for a senior game if Trent Donnan is unavailable. They will need Donnan, he has been their best in their two wins this season.
At home, Ouyen United should have enough experience and talent to account for the vastly improved Woomelang Lascelles.
Last Modified on 27/04/2011 17:44
