Beulah v Hopetoun
For the first time this season, Hopetoun can be buoyed by the fact that they are coming off a win as they face the Blues away from home. Unfortunately for the Devils, the side they come up against has lost just the once all year and that was on the last kick of the day. At home or away, the Blues are a ten goal better side than anything Hopetoun can put on the field. Beulah are well on the way to the double chance and the minor premiership.
Hopetoun’s meritorious win against the Lakers last week was a fitting reward for the persistence of its small, but hard core of talented and committed players. Deek Roberts was best on the ground with seven goals, Luke Carr has been a standout this season and one of few Devils able to hold his head high, Liam Price is a consistent performer and Zac Robbins plays with a maturity that belies his youth.
Beulah on the other hand has talent to burn. Last year’s disappointing fourth place finish is well behind them. The Blues have built on their depth of local depth with some talented recruits that have added strength skill and class all over the ground.
In their very good win over Ouyen United last week, Ryan McKenzie and Andrew Hughes were prominent with five goals each, Steph Saunders is back to his best as is Dale Shannon and United did well to limit David King to just the three goals. Dennis Redden can win games off his own boot, Tyler Lehmann is a consistent performer and then there are the Buchanan brothers … Beulah has an abundance of riches.
It will be back to earth with a thud for Hopetoun this week. The Devils’ best half a dozen players can mix it with the Blues, but they drop away after that and won’t get close to Beulah. The Blues should have a good win and they will be looking forward to the bye the week after.
Walpeup Underbool v Ouyen United
Traditional rivals Walpeup Underbool and Ouyen United meet for what could turn out to be a one-sided affair, but not before the Demons give everything they’ve got in an effort to match it with the Roos.
Ouyen United tried hard all day in their big loss to ladder leaders Beulah last week, but they never got close enough to really trouble the Blues. United looked undersized and undermanned against their skilful opposition and without Laurence Angwin if he misses once again, the same problem will occur against the Roos.
The Demon defence tries hard and never gives up, but they lack the height and the strength to stay with their opponents all day. With Wade Champion in good form, Kyle Munro has had a good season and with their plethora of gaol scoring midfielders, Walpeup Underbool has too much firepower for United.
Ouyen United look all at sea without Angwin in the ruck, they are missing the run and carry of Peter Caldow and to add to their woes, Damien Cupdio went off with an ankle injury and may be a doubtful starter this week.
The Roos’ backline tried hard all day in their disappointing loss to Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers. Travis Latta kept his side in the contest early with his ability to run the ball from defence into attack. Ben Fisher is continuing on with his good recent form, Wade Champion marked well against the Tigers and ended the day with two goals and Kane Munro is playing well. David Piasente and Chris Chubb add class and depth to the Walpeup Underbool midfield and look far too strong for their Demon opposition.
Woomelang Lascelles v Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers
The Cats have been big improvers this season and are still in with a very good chance of making the final four. However, they will need to string a few wins together to grab that elusive fourth spot. Their Round 16 clash with Ouyen United could very well decide the make up of the final four. Meanwhile, Woomelang Lascelles will find it difficult to get past the Tigers in their home clash.
Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers were very impressive in their five goal win over Walpeup Underbool. The Tigers played a smart wet weather brand of football as they quickly adapted to the slippery conditions. In the end, it was Cliff Ryan’s three goal haul in the third term that opened up the game for the Tigers after the Roos lead at half time before the rain set in.
Luke Martin played well when moved into the ruck. Jason Collins and Col Durie benefitted by his good play and together, they had enough of the ball to kick a winning score. Tom and James Summerhayes have been valuable contributors for Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers and Darcy Ryan is consistently amongst their best.
Woomelang Lascelles are likely to throw everything bar the kitchen sink at the Tigers in an effort to get on top of them early. Rohan Coburn was best for the Cats in their Round 12 loss to the Roos. Joel Donnan is playing well at full back and it wasn’t that long ago when Trent Donnan was best on ground in the Mallee interleague side that defeated Central Murray.
Nyaburu and Corey Kelly provide the Cats with a bit of bite in the midfield and up forward. Their clash with Ryan and Durie will go some way to deciding this encounter. However, with finals coming up and after their good win last week, the Tigers look too good in this clash of the near neighbours.
Last Modified on 13/07/2013 20:36
