by Jim Gordon
JEPARIT RAINBOW V OUYEN UNITED
A disappointing performance last Saturday at Sea Lake and coming up against last year’s premiers this week might have some Jeparit Rainbow supporters running for cover. However, the Lakers like playing at home, they had a good first up win over the Cats in the opening round and Ouyen United are a very different side this season.
Jeparit Rainbow coach Luke Werner will be looking for a much better effort this week and he has reason to be confident against an Ouyen United that will take time to adjust, such is the large number of changes to a side that took all before them last season. The team that went down to Hopetoun last week had eleven new faces from the flag winning 2011 side.
There have been good signs for the Lakers. Justin Chilver is back in form. He won well in the ruck contests against the Tigers’ big men and contributed all around the ground; the Lakers could really do with two of him - one to ruck and another up forward where they fell down badly last week. Chilver should have a great battle in ruck contests against impressive Demon newcomer Alex Erlandson.
New comer Aaron Beer is another plus for the Lakers. He has been impressive so far as he is hard at the ball and can play in a number of positions. Ash Clugston has started the season well, although unfortunately it looks like brother Heath will probably miss due to injury. His absence will be a huge loss for the team.
The skilful Ben Marra and Lucas Edelsten have done well in the midfield this season but they are going to have to be more accountable when the Lakers haven't got the ball or the United smaller brigade could be too fleet of foot, especially if Peter Caldow returns from injury.
It will be interesting to see how new recruit Sean Bayzand performs in the midfield against the class of Glenn Joyce, John Jackson and Ryan O’Callaghan. It was Bayzand’s first game last week and the Lakers are expecting him to further improve this week. This 29 year old midfielder/half back joins the Lakers from Birdwood in South Australia. Previously he has played for Nhill and represented the Wimmera in Interleague competition during his time there. Bayzand has also represented the Capricornia League in Queensland.
Tyler Edelsten has been outstanding in defence for Jeparit Rainbow and will need to once again perform well to contain the strong marking Troy Moncur. There is a bit of an injury cloud over Moncur and when he went out of the game last week, United’s forward line struggled to score goals. Edelston is receiving good support from the young developing defender Brett Jenz and veteran Brett Fisher. Without those three in the fullback line last week, the Lakers have lost by a lot more.
Jeparit Rainbow desperately need someone to step up in the forward line and they need more from their bottom end players. Ouyen United may be a very different side from last year, but they still have a lot of very good, very experienced players and some high performing young players and should win at Jeparit.
WALPEUP UNDERBOOL V WOOMELANG LASCELLES
Walpeup Underbool will approach this game with a lot of confidence even though they failed to defeat the Cats at all last year. This is a much stronger Roo side to the one that has languished in the bottom half of the ladder for far too long. The Roos thrive on confidence, they have had a good preseason and a stunning first up win at Beulah.
After missing that win over the Blues, Walpeup Underbool should have Wade Champion back and if he is able to return to his early 2011 form, he will be difficult for the Cat’s defence to hold. Josh Stone returns after a season away, Daniel Harris will play and big man Josh Charles, after a three year absence, is another to return.
Woomelang Lascelles need to regroup after a poor showing against the rebounding Beulah last week and a poor performance week one against the Lakers. It is going to be a tough day at Underbool. Jeparit Rainbow will be looking for a strong team performance, total commitment and a run of good fortunate if they are to have a chance against a very strong opponent bristling with newly recruited talent.
The Woomelang Lascelles backs have a big role to play against what looks like an outstanding forward line; Cats’ midfielders will need to beat their direct opponent to limit the opposition’s opportunities up forward.
Chris Lee will return week for the Cats and young Tim Hanns is a chance to play after a week off with a knee injury.
Matt Palmer is in doubt for Walpeup Underbool as he has an ankle injury and Chris Chubb is set to miss again with a knee complaint.
The Roos welcome the Cats to Underbool for their first home game of the year and there should be plenty of support from the locals who will be expecting, rightly so, a Roo victory. Woomelang Lascelles did well against the Roos last year winning each of their encounters, but this looks like it could be a one-sided affair in faovur of Walpeup Underbool. Roos’ fans can sniff a flag a mile off!
Last Modified on 26/04/2012 19:30
