It’s heads down and tails up as we head for the finals.
With everyone refreshed after the bye, with the exception of the inter-league players, there should be some cracking games between now and the start of the finals in September.
Professor Luke MORGAN has the Benalla class of 2014 reading from the same hymn page and making it hard for the rest of the pupils in the league to get in tune with his class which he hopes to have graduate with honours on Sunday, September 28, at Deakin Reserve, Shepparton.
Since joining the Saints, the Professor has taught everyone a lesson, one way or another, which shows a teaching background and football ability, can be a superb mix when it comes to getting players to team together. From the outset, the pupils he had to lecture all had ability and a common bond being boys from Benalla with one thing in mind to avoid being cellar dwellers as they were in 2012. MORGAN taught them well last season and they were disappointed to leave the finals series in the preliminary final against United just when they were on the verge of winning the flag. The pupils are once again responding to the professor’s teaching while he continues his outstanding form and leading from the front which would suggest he is in line for his second Morrison Medal. The theories about playing coaches, especially school teachers, have all been dispelled by the champion crumb collector. Today the Saints are home to Echuca and it is doubtful if the Murray Bombers can bring about their first defeat for the season.
In what should be the match of the round, Kyabram are at home to Shepparton United tomorrow at Kyabram. In a replay of last season’s grand final on May 3, the Bombers downed the Demons at Deakin Reserve by five points which was a big improvement on the Demons grand final performance. Vic Country captain, Tim LOOBY, and his co-coach, Geoff HALL, will be hoping their boys can improve even further tomorrow and beat the Bombers who are going for consecutive premiership for the first time in 85 years. Dave WILLIAMS will have Tom SHELDON back for the Bombers after inter-league duties and if Paul NEWMAN can repeat his performance of last season at Ky against the Demons when he kicked 10 goals, the Bombers will win again.
In another important game, Rochester, sixth at 5-6 play Euroa seventh at 5-6 with only percentage separating them. Brendon HOLLOW will show the Tigers the way after Vic Country duties and at Rochy this might be enough to get them over the line against the Magpies. Euroa coach Nathan GILLILAND, Vic Country Under 19 representative, James HAYES, and 200 gamer, Craig BAMFORD, will fire the Magpies against the Tigers who will be dirty going down to United before the bye. This is an important game for both sides wishing to play finals footy and at the siren little will separate the sides.
Tatura are home to the Swans in what should be another outstanding game of footy. The Swans third at 9-2 are hoping to win their first flag since 1970 and they have the team to do the job if everything clicks and likewise the Bulldogs fourth at 8-3 have a side which can go all the way but like the Swans, they must dig that little bit deeper to make sure of success.
Justin MADDERN booted eight goals before the bye against Seymour to take his tally for the season to 47 and following Vic Country duties last Saturday will be looking for another bag against the Bulldogs. However, it will be hard going because the Bulldogs will want to celebrate, Linc WELLINGTON’s 200th game for the club with a victory. The little champ, who has done everything a club would want out of a footballer, played his 200th before the bye and was best for the Bulldogs against Benalla and today will be their chance to show their appreciation of his efforts. For his performance against the Saints, Linc was named the Home Central Player of the Round - a well deserved award for a true warrior.
Mooroopna are eighth on the ladder at 5-6 and at home against a batted Mansfield should go to 6-6 and keep alive their chances of playing in the finals which would be a good achievement seeing they have been rebuilding. Robert OSBORNE is back in front of goals for the Cats and along with Daniel LEWIS should kick a winning score.
Shepparton and Seymour will go to war at Deakin Reserve with the hosts looking for their third win for the season while the Lions are hoping for their second victory. The Lions played well against the Swans before the bye and if they can come up with a full list and get the ball to Saad SAAD, he will kick enough goals for them to win. The champion goal kicker has 53 goals for the season to his credit, which is an outstanding achievement considering the Lions have won only the one game.
Last Modified on 28/03/2015 18:44
