by Jim Gordon
Beulah v Jeparit Rainbow
The last time these two sides met the Blues comprehensively thrashed an undermanned Jeparit Rainbow side missing its core through injury or unavailability. Nevertheless, even with a full side from which to select, the Lakers will be no match for Beulah.
The Blues have been the powerhouse side so far this year and with co-coach Tom Hallam playing his 150th game and star centre half forward Dennis Redden to return from injury they have a lot to play for.
New recruit Ryan McKenzie has been a great inclusion for a Blues side already bristling with talent. McKenzie has featured in the best in each of his three games so far and has backed this up by kicking ten goals.
The Lakers would love to upset the Blues. They got through last week’s game without any injuries, a rare occurrence this year. Their team should be much the same this week as the one that was competitive in going down to the Roos by four goals.
Jeparit Rainbow’s form has been consistent over the last few games, but coming up against Beulah will be a difficult task. They will go all out to make up for their last game against Beulah when they were very much weakened through injury and their Darwin recruits missed the game.
The Laker midfield that consists of Heath Clugston, Elliot Bath, Chris Meyer and Ben Marra has been playing well, but the Lakers need to convert once they get the ball into their forward line. Jeparit Rainbow lacks that class forward that the top teams seem to have.
In defence the Lakers have been settled and are playing well. The return of Adam Schultz last week strengthened their backline and he teamed well with Simon Clugston across half back.
Jeparit Rainbow will need all of their Darwin recruits present and playing at the top of their form if they hope to get even close to the Blues. Beulah has too much to lose to even think of dropping this game.
Hopetoun v Walpeup Underbool
The Roos really towelled up the Devils at home the last time these two sides met. Things have remained much the same since then. Walpeup Underbool is battling to try and get into one of the top two spots on the ladder and Hopetoun is just battling to stay competitive with any of the other sides.
The Roos are slowly getting their best side onto the ground. This week they seem to have a full contingent from which to select and it is bad news for the Devils who continue to rely on their top half dozen players to keep them in the game.
Zac Robbins was best for Hopetoun in the earlier round when Walpeup Underbool effectively won the game in the first term by scoring nine goals to two. That was pretty much the difference at the end of the day. Hopetoun will have to put pressure on the Roo midfield to keep with them this time. Luke Carr is having a good season and Deek Robbins provides them with run going forward.
Chris Chubb should be back for Walpeup Underbool this week after two weeks off with a leg injury. Jeremy Brown is unlikely to play this weekend, but could return for the following game against Beulah. Kane Munro was a late withdrawal last week, but he should be able to come up for the game against Hopetoun.
Although the Roos have had two comfortable wins against the Devils, they cannot take this game lightly especially with the form of Robins and Carr, who both put in strong performances last time they met. In the run up to finals, Walpeup Underbool must continue to work at being more consistent right throughout the game, not just being happy with one or two good quarters. This game will be good test for them with finals not far away.
Woomelang Lascelles v Ouyen United
In the match of the day, the Cats and the Demons are playing for fourth spot on the MFL ladder. With games coming up against the Tigers and the Roos, Woomelang Lascelles has the harder draw of the two sides, but they hold a percentage advantage over Ouyen United. This matchup makes for a tantalising prospect and a game that shouldn’t be missed by supporters of the two clubs.
Woomelang Lascelles are the form side. The have no injuries to report, they comprehensively defeated Hopetoun last week and took care of United by seven goals the last time the two sides met at Blackburn Park.
In fact the Cats will be strengthened this time with the return of Pierce Liddle who will play his first game in two months and Jayden Lonergan was a last minute withdrawal against the Devils.
What makes this game even more interesting is that Ouyen United will get back some much needed inclusions into their side. It looks like Laurence Angwin will be back after missing a month with hamstring problems, Peter Caldow will want to play, Ben Mole should be right and Leigh Gniel could be available.
There are a lot of ‘ifs’ in this game. If Woomelang Lascelles play the way they did against Hopetoun, they should be in with a really good chance. If Ouyen United has a full side they could be too strong for the Cats, even away from home. Dees to win, but only just.
Last Modified on 27/07/2013 20:35
