by Jim Gordon
JEPARIT RAINBOW V SEA LAKE NANDALY TIGERS
In a game vital to both clubs, Jeparit Rainbow must win to draw level with Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers on 12 points and equal fourth on the ladder. If the Tigers win, they will open up a two game break plus percentage on the Lakers who could even drop down to sixth and looking in danger of missing finals action this year.
Both of these clubs lost last week. Jeparit Rainbow were comprehensively beaten by the resurgent Woomelang Lascelles and Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers went down by 51 points to Hopetoun after being within striking range at three quarter time.
Jeparit Rainbow will need to play with a lot more intensity this week. With coach Luke Werner missing due to hamstring injury, they will be looking to their other senior players need to lead the way. This is a very young Lakers side with six players under 21 likely to be named in the team.
Brett Jensz will return for the Lakers this week after being unavailable last week and will take Werner's place in defence. Adam Schumann whose shoulder popped out last week will have to face a fitness test on Thursday night to see if he is right to play.
Last week Justin Chilver and even Ash Clugston to a certain extent were a bit down on form and there weren’t many players who stepped up to cover for them. Only Jake Parry and Ben Marra seem to show the required lift so the Lakers are going to need more from their middle range players. Andrew Watson has stepped up a level since his move to the backline.
Chilver has been in great form this year and Jeparit Rainbow can expect him to bounce back this week. Ash and Heath Clugston will be key players again, Sean Bayzand and Aaron Beer have been playing well in midfield and defence. The Lakers are just going to have to try and manufacture goals from their small forward line and they will rely a lot on their mid fielders to also kick goals.
The Tigers had few winners last week against the Devils and they left the ground a dispirited and disappointed side, but they have the talent to be able to bounce back this week.
Jarrod Arentz is always dangerous, he was the only Tiger multiple goal kicker against Hopetoun, Nathan Wight in defence was sensational, Dan McEwan rucked well, Liam Barry won his wing and Matt Elliott worked tirelessly. Youngsters Geordan McLoughlan, Jason Campbell and Andy Roberts all played well so it should be an interesting battle against the Laker youngsters.
This is a big clash, fourth playing fifth. It is an eight point game and it will be a tough game that could see the Tigers get up for a win, even though the Lakers have had some success at home this year.
HOPETOUN V OUYEN UNITED
The last time these two sides clashed, Ouyen United held a 17 point half time lead only to be overrun by a talented Hopetoun outfit setting up a four game losing streak for the Demons before they broke through for their one and only win for the season against the Cats a couple of weeks ago.
The Devils won’t take this game lightly. They know that even though United have won only one game for the season so far, they can never be underestimated.
Hopetoun will be missing some key playmakers from their impressive win against the Tigers last week. They will lose Coleman Schache and Thomas Motlop and maybe even Jackson Fisher. Schache in particular will be hard to replace as he was named one of the best on the ground for the Devils.
To balance out these losses, Anthony Baker and Zack Taggert are set to return for the Devils. The return of Anthony Baker will give Hopetoun more drive out of the centre along with an in form Luke Carr. Both are very strong around the packs and they have an outstanding ability to win the contested ball. It will be interesting to see the match up against Glenn Joyce, John Jackson and Peter Caldow in the midfield.
Kain Robins is in great form across half forward. Hopetoun will be expect him to be tagged heavily, possibly Mitchell Taylor will get the job or Adam O‘Callaghan could be used to try and nullify Robins’ influence.
There must be a doubt on Troy Moncur playing for the Demons, but if he does, expect Simon Cook to pick him up.
This match should be a good challenge for the Devils. If they can win, and win easily, it will put their season well and truly back on track for a top two finish. Ouyen United are desperate for a win to see if they can make inroads on the four. In the end, Hopetoun are playing well and with Robins in such good form, should have too much talent for the Demons.
BEULAH V WOOMELANG LASCELLES
When these two sides met in Round 2 at Beulah, the Blues had a resounding win. They had far too much skill and talent for the hapless Cats who at that stage looked to be in for a long season with two bad losses to start off the season.
For Beulah, Bradley Shannon was dominant, Thomas Hallam was in great touch and with a rampant forward line, goals came from everywhere. Riley Lehmann kicked seven, David King six and midfielder Gareth Hose got three.
Things could be different this time around as the Blues are coming off a big loss at Underbool and the Cats broke through for a very good win against the Lakers.
Aaron Lonergan is in good form for Woomelang Lascelles and his four goals last week going a long way to helping the Cats to their fine victory. Anthony Foott also played well as did Daniel Quinn, Andrew Lolicato and Joel Donnan.
This should be a great game and a very good test for Woomelang Lascelles although they may find the Blues too strong on their home ground.
Last Modified on 13/06/2012 17:18
