by Jim Gordon
WOOMELANG LASCELLES V JEPARIT RAINBOW
Two of the more recently disappointing sides clash at Woomelang Lascelles this Saturday in a do or die battle to see who can stay in the race for the final four and who is likely to miss out.
It has been a long time between drinks for these two teams. The last time Jeparit Rainbow won it was against the Cats and this should give them some confidence going into the match at Woomelang. Unfortunately for the Lakers, this game will find them at their weakest for the year.
Daniel Grieg will be missing due to a leg injury joining Adam Roll, Dean Schumann and Mick Eckermann who have all had, or about to have knee operations.
The Jeparit Rainbow defence will have to rely on youngsters Tyler Edelston and Simon Clugston to play in the key positions. These two have been shining lights for the Lakers this season and the experience of playing against the skilful Jayden Lonergan or Jason Kreuger will aid their development.
Jeparit Rainbow coach Luke Werner was critical of his teams’ poor disposal skills and poor decision making last week. He pointed out that too much was left to too few and the Lakers didn’t have an avenue to goal.
They rely heavily on Heath and Ashley Clugston so that if Justin Chilver can get on top in the ruck, the Lakers could give their forwards plenty of chances to kick a winning score.
As disappointing as Woomelang Lascelles have been, they are still a much better outfit than the one that went around last year. Chris Smith, Anthony Foott and wingman Jackson Quirk have all been playing well. Brody Adcock is developing and can kick a goal and Clayton Lee is a class player.
The Lakers’ Heath Clugston will need more support this week from fellow midfielders. Coery Waldron, Ben Marra, Lucas Edelston and Andrew Jackson have all played well at various times this season and they will have to rally behind Luke Werner if Jeparit Rainbow are to be in with a chance.
Werner is trying very hard as coach and he is also playing good football in defence. It would be a wonderful achievement if the Lakers could win for Werner, but at home, the Cats might just get up.
SEA LAKE NANDALY TIGERS V HOPETOUN
Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers will need to regroup quickly to have a chance against an inform Hopetoun side. The Devils at home tore apart the Cats last week whilst the Tigers fell away badly against the Demons.
In a critical must win match for both teams, the Devils should be too tall and too talented for the Tigers who are going to have to find a way to shut down the two power forwards for Hopetoun in Kain Robins and Bryce Wellington.
These two kicked 14 goals between them last week. Wellington in particular has lifted his game a notch or two recently. Robins has been a wonderful contributor all year.
Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers are going to have to win the centre clearances and limit supply to the Hopetoun forwards. This could turn into the most interesting duel of the day as Chris Heath comes up against Tiger coach Col Durie.
Luke Milroy is playing very good football for Hopetoun with an ability to carry the ball forward and he can kick a goal himself. He is anther star that will have to be contained if the Tigers are to have a chance.
Zac Robins is having a great season. He has that uncanny ability to pop up when least expected; he gets under the opposition radar and can cut a team up in no time at all.
The Devils will be looking forward to regaining in form player Tom Pridgeon from injury. Before he had to be rested, Pridgeon was doing well up forward and in the midfield where he uses his accurate passing to the team’s advantage.
Containing the Tigers forwards will be left to Steve Hallam, Ben Reid and Leigh Hutchinson. Luke Puckle and Quentin Willmott are in good form and they will also have a part to play in defence.
Since losing to Ouyen United in Round 7, Hopetoun has won three of their four matches, only going down to premier favorites Beulah. Their consistency through a match is improving each game and another solid team effort should be enough to get the four points against Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers even playing away from home.
WALPEUP UNDERBOOL V BEULAH
Even though they are not back to full strength yet, Walpeup Underbool are back in town after a good win at Rainbow last week. The week before, the Roos had a three goal break over Hopetoun only to fall away in the second half after losing Jeremy Rowe at half time.
Rowe and Wade Champion have been match winners for the Roos this year. They may not get Rowe back this week, but with him in the side and Champion firing, they could have been a chance against Beulah. As it stands, the Blues look to have far too much fire power for Walpeup Underbool.
Last week the Adelaide imports starred for the Roos. Luke Nathan and Samuel McDonald lead Walpeup Underbool to a huge win over the Lakers. They are going to need to repeat their form this week and bring a few others along with them.
Matthew Brown is having a purple patch, Chris Lynch is back in form and Jim Wakefield is his usual consistent self. It was good to see Clayton Lynch named in their best and in another good sign, the Roos have the bye after this match and a chance to regain some of their injured stars the week after.
Beulah is a class act. They have strength all over the field and rarely give away chances. They lost a couple of games early in the year, but since then their form has been ominous.
Gareth Hose has had a couple of best on grounds, Peter Lehmann is kicking goals and they have the brilliant David King relishing a bit of freedom playing in the centre.
Walpeup Underbool will press the Blues, but Beulah should be too strong and too talented for the Roos and should win even away from home.
In very good news for the Club and the boy himself, Walpeup Underbool’s Dallas Willsmore has been selected in the Victorian Country Under 16 side. Congratulations Dallas!
Last Modified on 06/07/2011 15:35
