by Jim Gordon
Jeparit Rainbow v Beulah
Jeparit Rainbow has a tough game at home this week against the powerful Beulah side. Unfortunately for the Lakers, Blues will be strengthened by the return of David King, Shaun Monohan and Tim McIntosh who will all be back from injury.
Luke Spasic will be out with a broken hand, but the Blues have the depth to cover him with Rory Shannon, Kim Hallam and Brad Shannon all playing good football in the back half.
Battling to try and maintain contact with the top four, injury has struck Jeparit Rainbow just when they desperately need a full list to have any chance against the Blues. Josh Murphy and Tyler Edelsten did not finish the game last week and are doubtful, Murphy with knee problems and Edelsten was concussed. Coach Luke Werner did not play last week and he will also have to prove his fitness this week.
The Lakers could include Brett Jensz in their line up. Jensz played well in the reserves and should return.
Jeparit Rainbow has battled hard this season with little result. Ben Marra has played well in the last couple of games after a slow start to the season. His strength around the ball is important for the Lakers. Greg McLeish and Josh McCleary have been doing a lot of work in the ruck. McLeish also changes into the forward line whilst McCleary plays in defence. These two have been very good pick-ups for Jeparit Rainbow.
The Lakers must play four quarters of intense football and put Beulah under as much pressure as they can if they are to have any chance of getting over the line. This Beulah line up is looking very good at the moment and should be too strong for the Lakers, even away from home.
Walpeup Underbool v Hopetoun
After some indifferent form early in the season, the Roos seem to have regained some of their premiership touch in recent weeks with very good wins over Ouyen United and Jeparit Rainbow. For Hopetoun, the season has gone from bad to worse.
The Devils battled hard against Woomelang Lascelles last week, but in the end the Cats just got the points to further demoralise a side without a win this season.
Walpeup Underbool will be without Jeremy Brown this week after he strained a hamstring against the Lakers last week. Chris Chubb is another who is unavailable and the high possession winner will be missed. Matt Brown could come into the side, His versatility and experience will make him a valuable inclusion.
Hopetoun have some very good players, but not enough to be competitive against a highly talented and skilled side like Walpeup Underbool. Deek Roberts played well for Mallee against Central Murray two weeks ago, Zac Robbins is having a good season and Luke Carr is a standout ball magnet.
The last game between Walpeup Underbool and Hopetoun was a very one sided affair with the rampant Roos easy winners by over 30 goals. It will be closer this time around. The Roos will be expecting it to be a different affair with the Devils looking to bounce back after some recent close losses. Nevertheless, Walpeup Underbool will be too talented all over the ground, they have brilliant onballers in David Piasente, Ben Fisher and Kane Munro and a ruckman in Josh Charles who is starting to find some really good form.
Ouyen United v Woomelang Lascelles
In a vital game for both sides, the Cats travel to Ouyen United in the hope of arresting their recent run of losses at that venue. Woomelang Lascelles must win this game to prove to everyone that they are genuinely improvers worthy of a place in the four. The stakes are just as high for United. A win will give them breathing space and a chance to go into the bye on a positive note.
With games won or lost in the centre, it should be a good battle between the Cats’ Mark Charleson and the Demons’ Laurence Angwin in the ruck. Angwin was United’s best in their dismal loss down at Sea Lake last week.
Keeping Damien Cupido quiet will be a key to the game. Even if the Cats can limit the damage, they are in with a chance. Trent Donnan is playing well and will need to be tagged by Ouyen United to negate his influence.
Woomelang Lascelles will go into this game with no changes from the side that just hung on against Hopetoun last week.
The Cats will need to improve on their form against Hopetoun if they are to get the four points at Blackburn Park. The Demons won well the last time these two sides met and at home they should be too strong once again.
Last Modified on 08/06/2013 20:02
