by Jim Gordon
WALPEUP UNDERBOOL V JEPARIT RAINBOW
Jeparit Rainbow have a real test on their hands this week. Not only do they have their longest road trip for the season, but they face a Walpeup Underbool side reeling from two defeats in a row after sitting on top of the ladder undefeated up until two weeks ago. Meeting Walpeup Underbool on the rebound will not be easy.
Unlike the Roos, the Lakers at least have no injuries from last week’s game. A horror run of injuries is testing Walpeup Underbool’s depth, but they are hopeful of regaining a number of key players in the next couple of weeks. Ryan Anderson is a big chance of returning and he should give the Roos plenty of pace off the half back line which has been missing in their last two losses.
A pleasing feature of Jeparit Rainbow’s game against Beulah was that it was a more even team performance with nearly every player contributing in some way. They had some really hard work from Aaron Beer, Sean Bayzand and Andrew Watson who often play at both ends of the ground during a game.
Ash Clugston is having a top year and younger players Nathan Cocks, Adam Schumann and Tyler Edelsten all played well last week. It was also a good performance from veteran Dean Schumann who is playing as a defensive forward; he kicked a good goal last week when the Lakers’ lack of quality forwards is hurting them.
Justin Chilver worked very hard against the Blues and he faces a big task this week against Joshua Charles. The last time these two sides met at Rainbow, Chilver had a day out, he dominated the midfield along with Ash Clugston and their combined play meant that although the Lakers lost, the Roos really only just fell over the line in the end.
The relentless forward pressure and run through the centre that was the key to the Roos’ earlier wins seems to have gone missing lately and they will need to dig deep to rediscover that form. They should be too good for Jeparit Rainbow, but expect the Lakers to put on a good show.
WOOMELANG LASCELLES V HOPETOUN
Hopetoun are coming good at the right time of the year and they face a new challenge this week against the unsuccessful, but very dangerous Cats. Hopetoun have had a very good couple of weeks winning well against Beulah and Walpeup Underbool, but they need to remember that the last time they played against Woomelang Lascelles, it was a draw.
The Cats will be keen to curtail the Devils’ running game and to do this they are going to need to apply close physical pressure. They weren’t able to do this against the Demons last week and gave them far too much latitude resulting in a one-sided affair in which the Ouyen United runners played all over the Cats.
The biggest problem the Devils have is their lack of a key ruckman, especially as Mark Charleson was one Cat who did play well last week against the talented Troy Moncur. The Hopetoun on ballers are doing a great job winning the amount of centre clearances they are considering the lack of ruck depth in the side. Quentin Willmott is trying hard in this position and Simon Cook is a handy back up.
Expect Ben Reid to go to the dangerous Jason Krueger. Reid is an unassuming player who has pace to burn, he reads the play well and has a great leap when needed.
The Cats will have trouble stopping the Devils’ power forwards in Kain Robins and Bryce Wellington. If the Devils on ballers can win first use of the ball and get it down to these two, it will go a long way to the Devils winning the game. Last week this pair kicked 13 goals between them.
The Devils are missing Jackson Fisher on the wing. Fisher is a week to week proposition with TAC Rebels commitments. If he returns it will be another dangerous player the Cats will have to stop.
The Cats cannot make the finals at this stage and the Devils are in really good form and should win comfortably. Nevertheless Hopetoun need to be careful and not get too complacent as they did against the Demons three weeks ago. The Cats still have the ability to hurt some of the top sides.
SEA LAKE NANDALY TIGERS V OUYEN UNITED
This week sees the Tigers back at Berriwillock against Ouyen United who are still in the hunt for a finals birth after knocking off premiership favourite Walpeup Underbool two weeks ago and then Woomelang Lascelles last week. The Tigers need to win to consolidate their spot in the four; for the Demons, it is do or die - either remain in the fight for a top four finish or fall by the wayside.
The last time these two sides met at Blackburn Park Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers ran out easy winners and their form has been superior over the season as a whole. Nevertheless, United are playing very good football at the moment so the game should be a cracker.
It will be good for the Tigers to get some of their key playmakers back. Vice Captain Liam Barry, midfielder Lance Brown and defender Jarrod Alderton will all strengthen their line up. Jarrod Arentz could expose United’s lack of a big key defender; Darcy Ryan did as he pleased the last time he played against the Demons and Col Durie is always dangerous.
Ouyen United had some stars last week in their big win over the Cats. John Jackson won all over the ground, Kale Barker dominated his wing and Peter Caldow played a great game. If United win this encounter they deserve a spot in the four, if not, they may have to be content with fifth spot and a season of regrets.
Last Modified on 17/07/2012 21:30
