HOPETOUN V BEULAH
The MFL match of the day this week is Hopetoun versus Beulah in a game that is of particular importance to the Devils. Hopetoun desperately need a win against quality opposition to establish their credentials as a top four side. Beulah on the other hand are cruising along nicely after demolishing Ouyen United last week. In a significant milestone, Jason Turnbull plays his 100th game in a great career for the Blues.
Beulah holds a distinct ruck advantage over every other side in the league. In Stephen Saunders and Kim Hallam they have two of the best ruckmen in the league and the Devils’ rucking dilemmas may be exposed against the brute strength and sheer weight of numbers of Saunders and Hallam. Quentin Willmott will be the number one ruck for Hopetoun and the versatile Bryce Wellington will back him up.
In their decisive win against United, Beulah displayed great defensive and offensive pressure as well as quality skills by foot. Their battle against the Hopetoun onballers will go a long way to deciding this game with Devils Anthony Baker, Liam Price and Deek Roberts taking on the ever reliable Scott Smith, Tom Hallam and prolific possession winner Brad Shannon. The importance of Jackson Fisher on one wing cannot be underestimated and his battle with Lucas Smith should be enthralling.
David King is hitting good form at the moment and his nine goals last round saw him named as Beulah’s best. There may be a number of options for the Devils to try and nullify King including Scott Heath or Kyle Gainsford. Simon Cook would be expected to take on Riley Lehmann for a start or Ben Reid could be the second choice.
At the other end of the ground Sam Martin will most likely to get the job on the in form and dangerous Kain Robins. This should be a great battle as Robins is in fine touch, but Martin has won the majority of his contests in recent weeks. Rory Shannon would be Beulah’s next option against Robins.
Lucas Smith is playing tough, hard tackling footy for Beulah while Lucas Spasic is starting to hit form.
The Devils will be desperate to win, but they have battled against Beulah in recent years and still might find them a little too strong in what should be a terrific game at Hopteoun.
WALPEUP UNDERBOOL V OUYEN UNITED
Always a tough encounter, Walpeup Underbool will nevertheless go into this game against Ouyen United as worthy and clear cut favourites. In fact, it will be a real achievement if the Demons even get close to the Roos. Stranger things have happened, the Cats got within a couple of goals of Walpeup Underbool two weeks ago and who could forget United’s rousing win against the more fancied Hopetoun a week earlier.
Just when they desperately need all guns firing, Ouyen United copped another bad injury in their loss to the Blues last week. The talented Mitchell Taylor is on the long term injury list just as Troy Moncur returns. Moncur will be all the better for his run last week and could do well as Walpeup Underbool have injury problems of their own across half back. The run they have been getting off the half back line from Ryan Anderson will be missing after being injured late in their match against the Tigers.
Other Walpeup Underbool players to miss at least two weeks are Daniel Harris out with a hamstring strain and Kyle Munro who has hurt a knee. This will leave a big gap across half forward and one that the Demons could exploit through Adam O’Callaghan who is in good form and Dean Jardine who should be back this week.
John Jackson is having a great year for Ouyen United. Along with Glenn Joyce and Ryan O’Callaghan, it should make for an interesting midfield contest against the combined talent of Sam McDonald, David Piasente and Joshua Stone. The Walpeup Underbool midfield has been cutting opposition sides to pieces this season.
Josh Charles should return this week to assist the talented and versatile Matt Palmer in the ruck. Wade Champion is not too far away after a long lay off and don’t be surprised if he pulls on the boots this week if all goes well at training.
Games between the Roos and United are always keenly contested with the Roos grabbing a win in Ouyen the last time these teams met. The result this time around should be much the same.
SEA LAKE NANDALY TIGERS V WOOMELANG LASCELLES (B)
Traditional rivals Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers and Woomelang Lascelles meet at Berriwillock in what should be a tight and interesting contest. The Cats might be way down the ladder, but they always fancy themselves against the Tigers, they did well against Walpeup Underbool two weeks ago and they have plenty of players in very good form at the moment.
Jayden Lonergan has been Woomelang Lascelles best player lately, Joel Donnan is having a good year and Anthony Foott always does well.
There is still a question mark over Luke Martin and Liam Barry who were late withdrawals from the Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers line up last week. Jarrod Arentz was down last week, but lately he has been scoring goals seemingly at will and Col Durie is still getting a lot of possessions. James Summerhayes was one of Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers best last week as was John Guthrie.
In what should be a close encounter, the Tigers might just be too good for the Cats to firmly establish themselves in the top four.
Last Modified on 04/07/2012 21:43
