The first two matches of the 2016 EDFL season for match points will be played this Saturday 2 April.
Western Park will play host to last year’s finalists Warragul Industrials and Buln Buln while at Beswick Street Garfield will welcome its neighbours Bunyip.
The two catch up games are required to ensure every side plays 18 matches as a result of our 19 season and our 15 team competition. The first full round of seven games will commence on Saturday 9 April.
Warragul Industrials v Buln Buln
Dusties star Shane Brewster returns for his second stint as senior playing coach at Western Park while Matt Gray is on debut as a senior playing coach with the Lyrebirds.
The Industrials have played in the finals every season since 2009 but without a grand final appearance. On the premise that it still has a window of opportunity to obtain that elusive premiership the Dusties have had a real crack over summer recruiting Tye Holland, Tyson Bale and Jason Wells. These three need little introduction for EDFL fans having all starred with Longwarry, Buln Buln and Nilma Darnum.
Its opponents have also been consistent in recent seasons but disappointed fans last season by going out in straight sets after finishing third.
Warragul have the superior attack and Buln Buln the better defence. Tyson Bale will relish the opportunity to play against his former club. It will be interesting to see if he can regain the stellar form he displayed in 2014. Another Dusties recruit Riley Rundell has impressed in the practice matches and his midfield presence will be required as the home side will enter the game depleted without Joel Gibson, Rhett O’Hara and Daniel Johnson all watching from the sidelines due to injury.
If the Buln Buln midfield led by Matt Gray, Mitch Nobelius and James Davidson can break even with their counterparts the Lyrebirds should win. With memories of the Dusties defensive problems laid bare by Nar Nar Goon in last years semi final exit in tandem with their current injuries it is visitors to open their winning account for 2016.
Garfield v Bunyip
Since Garfield joined the EDFL in 2010 their clashes against Bunyip have been eagerly awaited affairs and have not disappointed. One game in particular in 2012 when Garfield won by 8 points must surely rank as one of - if not the highest standard home and away round games ever in the EDFL.
As neighbours the bragging rights are up for grabs and the heat will be on the ball carrier in the opening term. Bunyip have recruited well. Former premiership players Mitch Davies and Michael Laszczyk have returned while former Ellinbank playmaker Mark Johnson and his former Eagle team mate and defender Andrew Quirk has also joined the Bulldog kennel. Bunyip already have a formidable team and with Jack Blakey, Jeb McLeod, Harrison McConnell and Codey Manning some of the finest young talent in the league.
First year Garfield coach Joel Morgan has a tough job this season as the Stars will field one of its most inexperienced and undersized teams in many years. This comes about as a result of the departures of last season’s coach Ryan Henry, Justin Berry, Ash Brown, Darcy Payne and Will Collis.
Former Bunyip utility Sam McMillan who struggled to earn a senior game has joined Garfield and will be out to show his former club that he deserved more than 20 matches since his senior debut in 2013. Garfield will rely heavily on assistant coach John Atwell, Ned Marsh and Brett Reid to provide leadership around its young team.
Bunyip’s defence proved hard to breakdown last year and this is unlikely to change in 2016.
The Bulldogs have too much class and experience and will draw clear in the second half.
Last Modified on 30/03/2016 22:56