by Jim Gordon
SEA LAKE NANDALY TIGERS V WOOMELANG LASCELLES
The last time these two sides met in Round 3, the Cats won a thriller at Woomelang by five points. An engrossing game all day, the Woomelang Lascelles Cats managed to hold on and win by just five points against the fast finishing Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers.
It looks like this time around the result will be just as close. Both of these sides are coming off wins and both wins were against Walpeup Underbool; Woomelang Lascelles had the bye last week and defeated the Roos the week before.
Trent Donnan was Woomelang Lascelles’ best against Sea Lake Nandaly in that victory early in the season. Jason Kreuger kicked three goals and Jayden Lonergan two to join Donnan as the Cats’ best. With Donnan likely to be required at Bendigo Pioneers, it will fall to other Woomelang Lascelles players to carry the load .
For Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers, Daniel Carmichael, Jeremy Weinhert and Jarrod Alderton were their best and they always have the reliable Col Durie, who not only plays well himself, but is able to provide inspirational leadership. Matt Vining and Matt Elliott played well all day for the Tigers last week and Jarrod Alderton was sensational in defence.
At home, and with an impressive ten goal victory over the Roos last week as recent form, the Tigers might just have too much firepower for the Cats and should win.
HOPETOUN V BEULAH
This match up at Hopetoun presents a whole new challenge for the Devils as they take on the dominant Blues at home. Beulah won a great match against Ouyen United last week and they will be very hard for Hopetoun to overcome.
It has been a long time since the Devils have beaten the Blues. Beulah have the players to nullify Hopetoun’s strengths. Kain Robins will have to be at his best and if Jason Turnbull gets the job on him, we will be in for a great battle. Whilst Bradley Vallance did well on Turnbull last week, he wasn’t allowed to dominate as he had in other weeks. With the in-form Tim Hill on Bryce Wellington, Hopetoun could be in a bit of trouble up forward.
In the ruck, Hopetoun’s Dan Young will have his work cut out coming up against the in-form Beulah ruckmen in Kim Hallam and big Stephen Saunders. With Beulah possibly getting first use of the ball, Hopetoun will then have to somehow cope with brilliant Beulah on ballers in Gareth Hose, Dale Shannon and Scott Smith all of whom had very good games last week against the Demons.
Hopetoun onballers are no slouches either. Any match now Luke Milroy will destroy the opposition. He is playing very good football and working his way into MFL prominence. Milroy is backed up by the talented Quentin Willmott.
The Devils have other options, but Steve Hallam is likely to get the job on goal kicking machine David King. King battled early on Adam O’Callaghan last week, but he still ended up with five goals, four scored when he played up field on the ball.
Hopetoun are really going to need to get over a mental hurdle against a team that has had no trouble beating them up until now. The Blues have the wood on the Devils who nevertheless should have plenty of confidence after last week’s great win against the Lakers. Beulah to win, but the Devils will take it right up to the Blues.
OUYEN UNITED V WALPEUP UNDERBOOL
In a strange quirk of the draw, Round 10 is the first time for the season that these two traditional rivals will meet. Recent form would have it that it should be an easy win for the Demons. Yet they are going to have to be on their guard against the Roos who, although decimated by injury lately, still boast quite a few high quality players in their line up.
Walpeup Underbool will be hoping to be able to get a couple of their high profile players back. Jeremy Rowe was in outstanding form before succumbing to a hamstring, if he is fit and Chris Vorwerk is back, this Roos side will be a lot better than the disappointing outfit that went down by ten goals to the Tigers.
Ouyen United could be little flat after coming close to their nemesis Beulah last week. They will be missing Brett Knowles and Dean Jardine who both are unavailable. It is doubtful that Wayne Grace will come up after a hamstring and Kieran O’Shannessy may need longer to get fully fit.
It will be an opportunity for younger Demon players to prove themselves. Damon Healy looks ready for another go at seniors as does Bradley Summerhayes, both of these youngsters may get a call up.
Bradley Vallance might find that he has a little more space to work in this week. Sonny Lindsey is due for a big haul and Andrew Jardine is playing well each week at centre half back.
United have a classy crew in the centre led by Glenn Joyce, and Marc Hahnel can score a goal when he goes forward.
A big crowd is expected at this clash. These two sides always draw well and there should be a bigger crowd than usual with the opening of the Blackburn Park Solar Energy Project during the half time break in the reserves game.
Ouyen United should be too strong and talented for a Walpeup Underbool side that we hope is almost back to full strength after a shocking run of injuries.
Last Modified on 16/06/2011 18:27
