Jim Gordon
WALPEUP UNDERBOOL V JEPARIT RAINBOW
Last year Jeparit Rainbow accounted for Walpeup Underbool in a rare win for them at Underbool. They are hoping to repeat that effort and go for two in row away from home. This is not going to be an easy task.
It is early days yet, but the Roos are looking to be in the type of form we haven’t seen from them since they won back-to-back in 2007-08. Walpeup Underbool have recruited hard and they have recruited astutely. Wade Champion, Jeremy Rowe and Luke Nathan have given this side a steely resolve and plenty of talent.
They are not only playing well themselves, but they are drawing out the players around them. It has been two seasons since Matt Brown has been in such goal kicking form and their half back line of Kane Munro, AJ Wisneske and Jeremy Rowe are attacking from defence relieving the pressure on the likes of Jim Wakefield and Chris Lynch who had to the bare the brunt of defence in 2010.
Nevertheless, the Roos are in for a tough match. Jeparit Rainbow report no injuries from last week and they will be out to build on their stunning, if unexpected win against Beulah.
This Laker combination is starting to play the fast running game that coach Luke Werner has introduced and has demanded of them this season. Their defence has performed very well in the first three games seen by the fact that oppositions are averaging less than 12 goals a game. With his Wimmera League experience, Daniel Greig has been a great asset to the backline .
Ashley and Heath Clugston are in outstanding form this season and they seem to save some of their best games for when they play the Roos. Walpeup Underbool are going to have to find a way to curtail their influence on the game, or at least limit their opportunities.
The Roos have a few injury worries. Chris Vorwerk was a late change last week and he will most probable miss once again. Tim Vallance was injured against Hopetoun and may be out for a few weeks.
Jeparit Rainbow defeated Walpeup Underbool convincingly last season. This should be a great encounter, but the Roos have found something extra this season and could be too strong and talented for the admirable Lakers.
WOOMELANG LASCELLES V HOPETOUN
The two most disappointing sides from the previous round meet at Woomelang on Saturday. This is the chance for one of them to come away with a face saving win and the added bonus of getting back in the race for a final four spot. For the loser, apart from a severe dent to their ego, it will be back to the drawing board.
Woomelang Lascelles will look to restrict the Hopetoun forward line. This was a problem for the Cats last week when the Ouyen United forwards tore their defence apart. The Cats will also need to brush up on their goal kicking as they missed many gettable shots against the Demons.
Hopetoun’s Kain Robins and Bryce Wellington will be under pressure to score goals. Wellington kicked three last week, but Robins could not contribute as he was needed elsewhere in an effort to plug up holes in the Hopetoun defence.
For Woomelang Lascelle’s, Daniel Quinn and Joel Donnan will need an improved effort this week as they were far too lose on the Ouyen United forwards. They were playing too far from their man, or they were too easily brushed aside in a contest. The Cats persevered with Donnan on Bradley Vallance, but he was no match for the United assistant coach.
The Devils will need their onballers to work hard and to be more accountable than in previous weeks. Opposition onballers have had a far too easy a run at the ball.
The Cats are missing Tony Mudge’s presence on the ground and he will be out again this week with a knee injury. Another to miss will be Trent Donnan who has Pioneer’s duty. If these two were playing for Woomelang Lascelles on Saturday, it would go a long way to tipping this game in the home side’s favour.
This promises to be an interesting match and one well worth the effort of going to see. Both sides will guarantee to give a passionate effort after getting trounced last weekend. The Devils could win this one, even though they will be away from home.
SEA LAKE NANDALY TIGERS V OUYEN UNITED
Always an intriguing tussle between these two sides, Ouyen United has winning form and should be too strong for Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers even playing away from home.
With several players out through injury, United may not have it all their own way. Marc Hahnel was on crutches earlier in the week, Corey O’Callaghan was carried off against the Cats, Wayne Grace is still missing and Brett Knowles is not always available.
Nevertheless, they bristle with talent. They have a solid backline that likes to play it close, run hard and set up attacking moves. Andrew Jardine played very well against Woomelang Lascelles last week and Kieran O’Shannessy likes to direct play from defence. Yet it is up forward that Ouyen United really stands out. Sonny Lindsey and Bradley Vallance are in ominous form and should be too strong for the Tiger defence, no matter who they put on them in an attempt to nullify.
Although Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers have only won one game out of three this season, they would still be reasonably happy with their start. Losing margins have been small and there is still plenty of opportunity for future wins and a place in the finals.
Coach Col Durie has lead very well this season and his determination is infectious. Recruits Jeremy Weinhert and Jarrod Alderton have been two other shining lights early in the season and John Fosskit has been named in the best every week due to his ability to work hard in and around the packs. Nathan Wight makes a great target at full forward.
Ouyen United should win, but be prepared for a determined and focussed Tiger outfit to play well early in the match in an effort to put the Demons off their game.
Last Modified on 04/05/2011 21:13
