by Jim Gordon
Ouyen United v Jeparit Rainbow
Last week Jeparit Rainbow tried Ben Marra, Tyler Edelsten, Andrew Watson and then Adam Schulz in an effort to contain the dominance of Tiger Cliff Ryan at full forward. Ryan ended up with 16 goals. This week the Laker defenders take on the might of the Ouyen United goal kicking machine Damien Cupido.
With the Demons having little to play for, the Laker defence could be excused for thinking that Cupido may give them a break. Think again. Cupido has Cliff Ryan breathing down his neck on the MFL goal kicking table, and he needs seven goals to reach his ton. After matching Ryan’s 16 with 18 goals of his own last week, Cupido will be all out to finish his season off with a bang.
Apart from that battle, there is little to get enthused about in this match. The Lakers have tapered off badly as the season has moved to an inevitable finish. They have been undermanned most weeks, they have suffered with a bad run of injuries and more importantly their recruiting has not matched other sides in the MFL.
Ouyen United will miss the final four on percentage. At various times during the year they looked like they could match it with any of the top three sides. A disappointing loss to the Cats three weeks ago, long term injuries to key players and the effects of personal tragedy have impacted on the club.
The Dees hope to get back Jerry Wilson this week. Wade Brady should return and they will miss Adam Weir due to an injured hamstring and Simon Jardine with shoulder problems.
The gulf between the top teams and Jeparit Rainbow seems to have grown this year. Last week they were thrashed by an admittedly very strong Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers side, but it was sad to see club stalwart Heath Clugston as Jeparit Rainbow’s only goal kicker for the day.
The Lakers are expecting to be able to field all of their Darwin players this week. Last week Greg McLeish and Nathan Millard were unavailable. Andrew Watson may be their only injury worry as he looked proppy by the end of the game. Jeparit Rainbow need someone to stand up and kick some goals as they have only kicked 21 goals in the last four games. They will be looking for a much improved effort this week after playing the top teams in the last few weeks.
On a more positive note it has been pleasing to see younger players Tyler Edelsten and Nathan Cocks amongst the best lately. It has been a tough year for Edelsten playing in defence against some big name forwards this year. He has battled hard and is not afraid to leave his opponent and run the ball out of defence. He will probably start on Cupido, if not Edelsten, it will be Adam Schulz. Chris Meyer, Elliot Bath and Nathan Cocks are all working hard and Simon Clugston took some strong marks in defence against the Tigers.
The Lakers rely on too few to do too much and will be no match for a Cupido-centric Ouyen United at Blackburn Park.
Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers v Beulah
This match of the day will be the third time these two sides have met so far this season. Next week will be the fourth when they meet again in the second semi final at Underbool. It is difficult to judge just how seriously the two sides will take this game given the potentially ruthless final series we are likely to witness with the Roos and the Cats thrown into the mix.
For the winner, not only will they have bragging rights and the minor premiership, but it will be a chance for the coaches to settle their sides before the really serious stuff starts. On the previous two occasions they have met this year, the Blues are ahead, the first time by six points early in the year, the second by five goals at home. Things have changed since then.
Coming into this game, it is the Tigers who have the best credentials. They have been unbeaten since Round 12, they were ominous against the Lakers last week and they have a potent forward line with Cliff Ryan and Simon Weekley in top form. In contrast, Beulah were run close by Woomelang Lascelles last week and they lost to the Roos the week before.
Nevertheless, it is hard to be critical of Beulah. They have been on top of the MFL ladder for most of the season, they have a brilliant set of onballers and forwards who can also kick multiple goals on a regular basis. Dennis Redden has over 50 goals so far this season.
The battle of the midfield will be a key to the game. Dan McEwan up against Steph Saunders, the Buchanans versus Wes Harrison, Jason Collins and Darcy Ryan and the old stagers in Col Durie and Scott Smith eager to do their bit.
Beulah are likely to have Kim Hallam and Dale Shannon return from injury, and they are hopeful that Eddie Keenan will be back.
It will be fascinating to be at Sea Lake to see this game - and then at Underbool in two weeks time to see them do it all over again. The Tigers to win, but only just.
Woomelang Lascelles v Walpeup Underbool
In another case of déjà vu all over again, the Cats and the Roos will front up twice in two weeks, firstly in the final home and away game and then in the cut throat first semi final. Just like the Tigers and the Blues who meet this week, then again in the second semi, it is difficult to get a true feel for how the game will pan out.
However, this game does have the added twist in that it is at Woomelang and the Cats are on a bit of a roll with good wins over Ouyen United, Hopetoun and Jeparit Rainbow before running the Blues close last week. The Cats have done well against Walpeup Underbool this year, they defeated the Roos early in the year by 16 points and only lost by two goals at Underbool in Round 12.
The Cats will fancy themselves at home and they could be in with a very good chance given Walpeup Underbool’s limited list this week.
The Roos have a few injuries including the disastrous news that the in-form Ben Fisher may miss the rest of the season. Matt Brown is also in a race against time to be fit for the first week of the finals and they have a number of key players unavailable for the final round of the home and away season. It looks like the injury curse has hit the Roos once again!
With a bit of luck they will regain Simon Brown after a lengthy break and Travis Latta is also available.
Woomelang Lascelles’ Aaron Lonergan is in good form and finished with three goals last week. Dwayne Hamlyn played well and Corey Kelly is another who has had a very good season. Joel Donnan is doing very well in defence and held the dangerous Dennis Redden to just three goals.
Woomelang Lascelles may just about have to be favourites this week, but it all could turn around come finals time. The Cats have been one of the stronger opponents Walpeup Underbool has faced this season.
Last Modified on 15/08/2013 00:30
