by Jim Gordon
JEPARIT RAINBOW V WALPEUP UNDERBOOL
Jeparit Rainbow will need more than a lift from their players if they hope to be competitive against the undefeated Walpeup Underbool this Saturday. They are going to need a reversal of their recent form and a Roo side to turn up that is decidedly off the boil. Walpeup Underbool are early flag favourites with talent all over the ground and they should be able to take care of the Lakers without too much trouble.
Both of these sides will be looking forward to playing at Rainbow. The Lakers because they haven’t had a home game since April (they have had two away games, a bye and interleague) and the Roos because they usually get drawn to play at the more distant - for them - Jeparit ground.
In a welcome return for Jeparit Rainbow, Heath Clugston is back from injury for his first appearance since the second game of the year. Clugston has been sorely missed and his ball getting presence will strengthen the Lakers who should also benefit from Luke Werner and Brett Jensz who will be better for playing in the last game when Jeparit Rainbow suffered a heavy loss against Beulah.
Jeparit Rainbow had some outstanding representatives in the interleague side that won so well against Wimmera and they will be looking for these players to continue their good form. Justin Chilver in ruck is having a great season and was one of the main reasons Mallee won. Anyone who was at last week’s game against Wimmera would have appreciated his good form. His ruckwork is impressive, but it is his work around the ground that has improved greatly this year.
Ash Clugston is another who played well against Wimmera and he is also having a good year. Aaron Beer and Andrew Watson have adapted well to Mallee football and will have to be in top form this week if the Lakers are to get close. Jeparit Rainbow will be looking to Sean Bayzand to again give them drive through the midfield.
Jeremy Rowe is a chance to return from his hamstring strain for Walpeup Underbool, but the brilliant David Piasente will most likely miss a few more games through injury. He will leave a huge gap to fill for the Roos as his form has been sensational. Sam McDonald played well at interleague, Kane Munro is in good touch and Matt Palmer kept Kain Robins goalless two weeks ago.
The Lakers are just going to have to find a way to kick goals as there is far too much reliance on James Phillip. It was pleasing to see young Zac Webb kick two goals last game and another youngster Nathan Cocks has featured amongst their best in the last two games.
Jeparit Rainbow’s form against Walpeup Underbool at home has been quite good over the past few years. They have scored the odd upset win against a more fancied opponent or pushed them to the limit. Playing at home will give the team a lift, but it may not be enough against a side that even with injuries, has not tripped up this season and looks far too strong for the Lakers.
HOPETOUN V WOOMELANG LACELLES
Hopetoun at home will be far too strong for Woomelang Lascelles this week despite the Devils going down to the Blues and the Roos in the past two rounds of MFL football. This is an important game for the Devils, lose it and they will let Beulah and Walpeup Underbool open up a gap over the third and fourth placed sides. A good workout against the so far winless Cats will set Hopetoun up for a great matchup against the Tigers in the next round and a chance to challenge for the top.
Hopetoun cannot afford to take this match lightly. They are still missing Simon Cook and Tom Pridgeon and against the Roos their gun forward Kain Robins was well held and their overall form was disappointing . It seems that interleague came at the right time for the Devils as Robins got back some of his match winning form and Luke Carr was outstanding winning the VCFL Medal.
For the Cats to keep up with the Devils, they will be looking for a four quarter performance all over the ground. A bonus for Woomelang Lascelles will be the recall of Mark Charleson who is a chance to play this week after a comeback through the reserves.
Woomelang Lascelles may be looking to try a few players in different positions. They are going to need to look after Robins, a tough ask, but they feel that they have the troops, they just need to all play well together.
Quentin Willmott is playing well for Hopetoun this year and he is taking on the role of the leader down back and exerting his experience at full back. Willmott is capably supported by Scott Heath and Liam Price and altogether the backs are working well together to repel many attacks from their opponents.
Bryce Wellington seems to have fully recovered from a hamstring strain and he can play up forward or even in defence if needed. Anthony Kelly has been working hard in the ruck giving on ballers Anthony Baker and Deek Roberts first use at clearances.
The Devils need a win to get back on track and they should get it this week against the Cats.
OUYEN UNITED V SEA LAKE NANDALY TIGERS
This replay of the 2011 Grand Final has suddenly taken on great significance for both sides. Ouyen United won well against the Cats in the game before interleague to record their first win of the season and another win will see them grab some momentum in a season that so far has offered so little. Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers on the other hand are only just in the four, but a win will put them two games plus percentage over the Dees and well settled in with the top group of teams.
Col Durie is in outstanding touch as seen in the interleague game, they have a great full backline with Jarrod Alderton and John Guthrie and if Jarrod Arentz can fire, they may threaten Ouyen United.
It looks as if the Demons will have just about a full side to pick from. John Jackson came back against Woomelang Lascelles, Troy Moncur should play and Alex Erlanson is another who looks to be fully fit.
Ouyen United’s younger players did well in their last outing against the Cats. Bradley Summerhayes is having a good season, Ben Mole is dangerous and Kale Barker was amongst United’s best playing on a wing. Defenders Dean Jardine and Adam O’Callaghan are also improving by the week.
At home Ouyen United to win this game and partly resurrect their season, but it is not going to be easy. They will need all of their talented experienced players such as Glenn Joyce, Peter Caldow and Ryan O’Callaghan to play well and their youngsters to step up to the mark.
Last Modified on 30/05/2012 18:27