by Jim Gordon
JEPARIT RAINBOW V HOPETOUN
The Devils are aware that they will have to be at their best to defeat the Lakers. They cannot afford to take this match lightly even though Jeparit Rainbow are pretty much out of finals contention.
Injuries have hit the Lakers hard. Their lack of depth has been exposed recently and this week it looks like coach Luke Werner will be a doubtful starter.
Justin Chilver was competitive last week against the Demons and played well up forward; he looks ready to really step up for the last few games of the season. Daniel Greig has proven to be a versatile player and has done well in defence recently as well as having spells up forward. He also spent time in the ruck against the Demons last week.
Ben Marra has shown a great sense of what it takes to be a leader. This young player last week was prepared to take on the outstanding Bradley Vallance and gave away height and weight as a undersized key defender and did very well.
Hopetoun will look to Simon Cook in the ruck to once again give onballers Tom Pridgeon, Chris Heath and Luke Milroy first option out of the centre. Cook versus Justin Chilver could be a great battle if Chilver lines up in the first ruck.
The key to stopping the Lakers is stopping their main prime movers in Ash and Heath Clugston and Corey Waldron. Expect Zac Robins to start on Waldron while Dev Mill may get a tagging role on one of the Clugstons. Corey Waldron hardly plays a poor game for the Lakers and can be relied upon to give his best at all times.
Jeparit Rainbow are giving their young players plenty of opportunities. Simon Clugston, Jake Parry, Nathan Cocks and Adam Schumann have the ability and if they can all step up this week, the Lakers could trouble the Devils for at least part of the game.
Hopetoun has plenty of goal kicking power in Bryce Wellington, Clint Castleman and Kain Robins. If the ball is delivered down to them often enough the Lakers back line will really have their work cut out restricting the Devils’ scoring power.
Hopetoun’s backline is very sound. Leigh Hutchinson, Steve Hallam, Ben Reid and Scott Heath have been in some great form this season and if they can bounce back after being shell-shocked two weeks ago by the Demon forwards, they will be too strong for the Laker forwards.
The Devils must win this encounter to have any credibility coming into the finals. They had the bye last week and should be refreshed enough to win this game.
BEULAH V OUYEN UNITED
The last time these two protagonists met, Beulah defeated Ouyen United by ten points. The Demons hit the front with five minutes to go, but the Blues steadied and ran out winners by ten points. This time around it is hard to go past the Blues on their home turf, even though United look to have strengthened their side since that tight and intense tussle.
Beulah tend to make better use of the ball than Ouyen United. They make fewer unforced errors and use rapid fire handball to get them out of trouble. This is particularly evident in the Beulah defence which hunts in packs and rarely gives opposition forwards an easy run at the ball.
Adam O’Callaghan played well on David King in the last match, but when King was moved up the field in an on ball role, he proved to be a very damaging player and ended up with five goals for the day.
After falling behind early, the fact that United were able to get back into the game was mainly due to some superb individual performances by their stars, Brett Knowles, Glenn Joyce, Marc Hahnel and Andrew Jardine. It was no coincidence that the United forward line was given more room to move when Rory Shannon went off with an injured shoulder in the first term of that game.
If United’s midfield is their strength, the Blues are just as strong. Gareth Hose never wastes a possession - and he gets plenty in the centre. Dale Shannon is having a great season and coach Scott Smith always plays well against the Demons.
Ouyen United has strengthened their ruck with the inclusion of Craig Deckert. It will be well worth the price of admission to see Deckert come up against Stephen Saunders. Damon Healy is improving all of the time and Wayne Grace is back for another chance to cement a spot in the team going into the finals.
Beulah has a strong self belief that they can defeat Ouyen United. If they win well they will be almost unbackable in the second semi. If the match is close, or United get up, the final is up for grabs. Beulah to win, but not by much … same old story!
SEA LAKE NANDALY TIGERS V WALPEUP UNDERBOOL
A much undermanned Walpeup Underbool went down to Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers by 64 points at Sea Lake the last time these two sides met. A win is vital for the both sides this time around as they battle for a place in the four. Both sides were very disappointing and had big losses last week.
Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers were 12 goals down at half time against Beulah and never looked like winning and the Roos went down to an enthusiastic Woomelang Lascelles when a win would have almost assured them of a top four finish.
Walpeup Underbool should be strengthened for this encounter. They had Kane Munro and Jeremy Rowe back last week and there is even a chance that Tim Vallance may not be far away.
The Tigers had a few triers last week. Taylor Hannig was their best, Joel Lloyd played well and Colin Durie is always amongst their best, week in week out.
For Walpeup Underbool, Matthew Palmer is having a good year, Travis Latta was one of their best against the Cats and Chris Vorwerk is a consistent performer. Matt Brown is having a stellar patch midseason and if Wade Champion can kick some goals, the Roo forward line could be up and running.
Walpeup Underbool have the task ahead of them. They can still make the four and have a winnable run home. They are going to have to win this week to give themselves a chance to play finals football. Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers will be no pushovers, but with the incentive ahead of them, the Roos might just get up.
Last Modified on 28/07/2011 09:18
