by Jim Gordon
HOPETOUN V JEPARIT RAINBOW
This is a vital match. When these two sides met in Round 2, Hopetoun accounted for the Lakers by 19 points in a performance dominated by Kain Robbins. A win this time will see one side keep in touch with the four whereas the loser will drop away, for the time being at least.
Nothing much has changed since that early win by the Devils. Both sides have had good wins, but both have lost when expected to win. They are two evenly matched teams that sit with two wins each, just outside the four.
Last week Jeparit Rainbow stayed with Ouyen United for the first half of the game only to be rolled in the second half. They will need to put four consistent quarters together this week and if they can, they would have a very good chance of a win against Hopetoun.
For the Devils to get up, they will need to find a way of shutting down the Clugston brothers in the middle as well as Andrew Jackson and Corey Waldron around the ground. Jackson was Jeparit Rainbow’s best last week.
The ruck duals should be even between Simon Cook and Justin Chilver. Chilver did not dominate against Ouyen United as was expected, so he is due for a good game and is well backed up by Robert Mcallister. This dual could possibly decide the match because if Jeparit Rainbow get on top, they have a midfield that could win the game for them. Ben Marra, Jackson, Luke Byrne and Lucas Edelsten all played well last week so if the Clugston brothers can lift for this game, the Laker runners will make it hard for the Hopetoun midfield.
Where Hopetoun may come out on top is in their forward line. The Lakers defence let through over 100 points for the first time last week and they will once again have their work cut out stopping the Devils’ strong forward line. Kain Robins is in fine form and was not far off best on ground against North Central, Bryce Wellington marks well and kicks accurately.
Hopetoun’s Steve Hallam will no doubt get the job on Laker forward Ben Zanker. Mark Adamson has been a welcome addition to the Devils with his experience and leadership. Ben Reid, Zac Robins and Jackson Fisher are all developing the ability to use their bodies against stronger opponents.
Both sides are desperate for a win. At home, and with the skill and class of Kain Robbins, Luke Milroy and Bryce Wellington, Hopetoun may have a little too much fire power for the Lakers.
OUYEN UNITED V BEULAH
In a top of the table clash, Ouyen United and Beulah meet at Blackburn Park to vie for bragging rights and premiership favouritism.
This is a big game. Beulah has not lost to Ouyen United for two seasons and they will be desperate to maintain their supremacy. For Ouyen United, they like to think that they are an improved outfit on the one that went down to the Blues in last year’s Grand Final and by 20 points earlier this year.
Beulah are travelling along nicely without yet reaching the dizzying heights of last season’s undefeated run. They have improved their stocks with David King kicking goals at full forward, their midfield is as strong as any in the league and they provided a fair part of the team that took on and defeated North Central two weeks ago.
Kim Hallam is going to cause headaches for Ouyen United in the ruck. Todd Barker will probably start on Hallam, but they will need backup because Hallam leaps high, he can ruck all day and is backed up by Stephen Saunders. Joshua Langdon did well against the Lakers last week and he could provide another presence on ball for the Demons.
When the ball hits the ground, Beulah have the strength and mobility of Scott Smith and Dale Shannon to give them drive. Lately United has used Dean Jardine in a negating role, he could play on Shannon as could Adam O’Callaghan, although the Demons may end up calling on members of their younger brigade to run with Shannon, perhaps Bradley Summerhayes or Joshua Coates.
The Demon machine is on the move. Apart from that loss to the Blues earlier in the season, they have been ominous lately. Around the midfield they have class to burn in Glenn Joyce, Marc Hahnel and Brett Knowles. Sonny Lindsey kicks goals, Dom Leach is doing well, but their big improvement is in the key positions of centre half forward and centre half back.
Bradley Vallance has turned into a goal kicking, match winning machine and having Andrew Jardine down back, the Demons a have a really strong spine.
At Blackburn Park, and in front of their big home crowd, this a chance for Ouyen United to overcome a major hurdle and defeat the Beulah Blues. If ever they are going to defeat Beulah, it should be this Saturday and at the same time they can give themselves a break at the top of the ladder.
SEA LAKE NANDALY TIGERS V WALPEUP UNDERBOOL
This is another game vital to both sides. A win for Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers will keep them in touch with the four; a win for the Roos will keep them in the four. On form, Walpeup Underbool may look like they will be too strong for the Tigers, but they have been decimated by injury in the last few weeks.
Two weeks ago, Jeremy Rowe was best on ground in Mallee’s win over North Central, last week he went off with a hamstring injury and he is out this week. Coach Kane Munro is another who will miss, he has knee problems. Chris Vorwerk is not available and Tim Vallance underwent the surgeon’s knife last week and will be out for a long time.
This will be a tough test for Walpeup Underbool down at Sea Lake. Yet it could be one of those season defining wins if they can get up.
They defeated the Tigers earlier in the season when Matt Brown kicked five goals and Wade Champion was best on the ground. Chris Lynch should return after a week off and younger players such as Joshua Plozza and Dallas Willsmore played well for them in their loss against the Cats last week.
Holding Sea Lake Nandaly’s Col Durie is the key. If the Roos can negate, or at least restrict his influence, they should win. In a close one, Walpeup Underbool might just finish ahead against a so far disappointing Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers.
Last Modified on 08/06/2011 18:02
