by Jim Gordon
JEPARIT RAINBOW V WOOMELANG LASCELLES
It’s early days yet, but both of these sides are going to have to improve markedly on their 2011 form if they want to move up the Mallee Football ladder this season after occupying the bottom two positions on last year’s ladder. Picking a winner is going to be difficult as the Cats have picked up a few players over summer, yet the Lakers are at home and have the core of a good side with some of their youngsters showing improvement.
Jeparit Rainbow has had a solid pre-season with good attendance at training and lots of senior players pushing for a spot in the main game on Saturday. Once again they will be relying on their local youngsters and will field an inexperienced team to do battle with Woomelang Lascelles.
The Lakers are a bit of a nemesis side for Woomelang Lascelles. Jeparit Rainbow finished bottom of the table last year, yet defeated the Cats twice when they only managed three wins for the season. Indeed, if Woomelang Lascelles had defeated Jeparit Rainbow, they would have played finals football, not a bad effort considering that they were winless and on the bottom of the ladder the year before.
Big name recruits Sean Beyzan and Aaron Beer will strengthen the Jeparit Rainbow midfield with support from Ben Marra, Ash Clugston and Lucas Edelsten. Key defenders Tyler Edelsten and Brett Jenz are still maturing and will have a hard task looking after the Woomelang Lascelles forwards.
Justin Chilver had a quiet year in 2011 after a great season the year before. The Lakers will be hoping he can regain his 2010 form not only in the ruck, but also when he plays up forward. Joel Schulze has put in a big pre-season and should return to the seniors to help out Chilver in the ruck.
The Lakers will miss Heath Clugston who has a wedding to attend.
There has been a lot of interest around these two Clubs leading up to the new season and numbers at training have been pleasing. The Lakers have been getting 25 most nights and the Cats may have even been getting a few more.
The Cats will be looking to newcomers Aaron Lonergan, Nathan Sydes, Ryan Merritt, Chris Lee, Bradley Hassell, Darcy Coburn, Kane Bannam and Jake Russell to take them forward in what should be an entertaining game at Rainbow with the Lakers having just enough talent to get home.
HOPETOUN V SEA LAKE NANDALY TIGERS
2011 MFL Runners Up Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers take on Hopetoun at Hopetoun in what is a replay of last year’s first semi that saw the Tigers win comfortably after falling behind early in the game. The rematch will be equally daunting for the Devils as the Tigers seem to have recruited well over the summer months.
Equal MFL Best and Fairest Kain Robins is once again at the helm for the Devils, although we can expect to see him playing a greater role in the backline this season. Hopetoun have lost one or two defenders due to retirement and Robins’ experience will help the Devils in defence. Sea Lake Nandaly Tiger Steve Lyons will possibly line up on Kain Robins.
Bryce Wellington has had a huge pre-season and will prove dangerous up forward, but he is also an option down back if things start to go against the Devils. Anthony Baker will should provide leadership through the centre for Hopetoun and we can expect the return of Liam Price to bolster the Devils on ball attack. Deek Roberts will be another speedy on-baller/forward and should prove quite elusive for the Tigers.
This should be a good early season game and one to look forward to going along to see to kick off the season. All eyes will be on Sea Lake Nandaly Tiger Jarrod Arentz who last played in the Mallee League way back in 2002 when Manangatang won the flag before amalgamating with Tooleybuc. Tigers to win in a close tussle.
BEULAH V WALPEUP UNDERBOOL
In what should be the match of the day, Beulah are at home to Walpeup Underbool and will be looking forward to rectifying their dismal 2011 finals campaign that saw them thrashed by the Demons in the second semi and then tumbled out by the Tigers in the preliminary final. Last year’s inglorious display by the Blues was out of character and they will be out to quickly squash any suggestion that their reign at the top is over for the time being.
The Blues look like having a team similar to last year. They have lost several quality players, but in their place they have recruited three others with solid football pedigrees. Luke Spasic an onballer/winger is coming from Horsham Football Club, Lucas Smith an onballer/forward from Laharum and Eddie Keenan, brother of Beulah forward David King, is coming from West Adelaide
Walpeup Underbool has likewise been active over summer. Jeremy Rowe is returning as coach with Luke Nathan his deputy. Josh Charles has returned after a three year absence and should make a huge impact in the ruck. A few niggling muscle strains are set to keep out Daniel Harris and Wade Champion for this game, but both will hopefully return for the next game.
The Roos are looking forward to the start of round one after a hard pre-season and the Club is eager to put on a good show for all new and returning players for season 2012.
Good numbers throughout training have new President Tony Keely excited about the Club’s chances in the coming season and although they have a few out for round one, they are determined to make up for a poor 2011 when they failed to reach the finals.
As always, it will be a tough task for the Roos against Beulah, and to make the trip on the first week of season 2012 will be no exception. Both teams will know a little about the other, but with new players in each side it will make for an interesting encounter that should see Beulah too strong at home.
Last Modified on 12/04/2012 08:46
