The third round of the EDFL home and away season will be split over two days due the ANZAC weekend. There will be five games on Saturday with the headline grabber being the Warragul Industrials home game against Bunyip while on Sunday Cora Lynn will host Longwarry during the day and at night Koo Wee Rup will take it up with Lang Lang.
Being remembrance weekend to commemorate all Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations both Koo Wee Rup (at 6.45pm) and Cora Lynn who host matches on Sunday will have small pre-game ceremonies to pay their respects.
WARRAGUL INDUSTRIALS v BUNYIP
The Dusties and the Bulldogs two expected heavyweights of the 2016 season meet at Western Park. This represents the first blockbuster clash of the year. Warragul had little trouble brushing aside their opponents in the opening two rounds and this clash will give a better insight into their real ability. Bunyip will be out to put the screws on the Jason Wells and Corey Nickels show which has yielded 29 goals between them. Another player the Bulldogs will need to keep an eye on is talented playmaker Josh Peterson who looks set for a good season after an interrupted one last year. While Warragul look more adept in attack Bunyip look far more accomplished in defence. This scribe will reserve his judgement on the Dusties until they regularly beat good opposition. Bunyip will miss defender Brad Wolfe (likely for the season with a broken leg) and Yarragon recruit Scott Wood (leg) but should still get over the line in a tight game.
NAR NAR GOON v NEERIM SOUTH
Hard to read the Goon after two outings. An impressive victory over Buln Buln in the opening round was followed by a not so flash performance against Catani last week. There is no shortage of experience in the Goon side led by former ROC and St Frances Xavier recruit Dwayne Scott, 2010 premiership coach Clint Williams who has returned from Beaconsfield and they join Chris Jones, Chris Adams and Nick Henwood all north of 30 years of age. Expect hard working small Josh Grant to return after an appearance in the reserves last week. The Cats too have experience in ball magnet Chris Urie, utility Dean MacFarlane and ruckman Matt Young. The only thing that has stopped Neerim from chalking up a victory is its slow starts. It gave both Cora Lynn and Koo Wee Rup five goal leads before working its way back into the contest only to fall short. On the premise the Cats will make a better start it looks well placed to open its winning account.
GARFIELD v CATANI
The Stars face off against the Blues in what appears a 50/50 game. Garfield has lost plenty of name players over summer but one cannot query their commitment under new coach Joel Morgan. The versatile Harley Lacunes now assumes veteran status but still has plenty to offer while youngsters Daniel Helmore, Sam Batson and Sam Whibley have risen to the occasion in the opening fortnight. Catani made statement last round when it upset Nar Nar Goon and with mercurial forward Luke James back at the club and alongside Owen Fitzpatrick the Blues have two genuine targets. Ruckman Brandon Scammell has also continued where he left of last year. On the hunch a return to their home ground will assist their speed and run the Stars in a thriller.
NYORA v ELLINBANK
Wins are like gold dust for teams that don’t pick up many and hence the interest in this game. Both would have viewed it as a potential victory when the draw was released. Aiden Cumberland has returned to the Saints this year and despite only playing three games since 2013 he hasn’t missed a beat while for the Eagles evergreen Ash Wallace continues to make his mark on games. Ellinbank has been found wanting in its first two games but on the bright side Jaxon and Mathew Notman, Tyler Hotckin, Cameron Lyon and Mark Vassett have shown enough to suggest the Eagles have a good future.
NILMA DARNUM v POOWONG
There is no question the Bombers are a better outfit this year. New Pines recruits Jean Bezzene, Shaun White and Harley Parker have injected plenty of life and regular defender Ben Campbell has turned into a potent goal kicker bagging ten in his two hit outs. Little in the first two weeks suggests Poowong can win. If the Magpies can post ten goals it will leave Darnum with hope it is on the improve.
CORA LYNN v LONGWARRY (Sunday)
The Cobras are ticking along nicely two and zip and will go in favourites against the Crows. Cannot say Cora Lynn look every bit as good as last year but do seem in better shape than many thought for a team that has well over a third of its 2015 flag winning side gone. Ryan Gillis and Anthony Giuliano have excelled in attack and with Tim Payne, Jack Allen and Nathan Muratore the Cobras still have a defence had to pierce. Longwarry can take confidence out of its victory over Nyora. More so the for the margin – 95 points which was bigger than any of its six victories last year. The return to the club of defender Ken Towt, forward Stephen Hawkins, Troy Lehman and Josh Bourke, the later who was tremendous last week will help with team unity but it is a big ask to knock over the reigning premiers.
KOO WEE RUP v LANG LANG (Sunday night)
On ANZAC day eve the Demons will wage battle against the Tigers at 7pm. There is a lot to like about the attitude of Koo Wee Rup in the opening two games as it has had to fight hard to see off Catani and Neerim South. The Collins brothers Ben, David and Mitchell have all made their presence felt and a handful of others led by Daniel Calteri, Rian Healy and Liam Hetherington all look to have improved over summer. After notching 26 behinds in round one the Dees put their kicking boots on last week posting only six behinds from 21 scoring shots at Neerim South. Lang Lang has relied heavily on its leadership group led by coach Shane Urbans and his assistant Travis Rients. With many departures over summer Lang Lang is not overloaded with talent. Cora Lynn should win with a bit in reserve.
SATURDAY 23 RD APRIL
Nar Nar Goon v NEERIM SOUTH
Warragul Industrials v BUNYIP
GARFIELD v Catani
NYORA v Ellinbank
NILMA DARNUM v Poowong
SUNDAY 24TH APRIL
CORA LYNN v Longwarry
KOO WEE RUP v Lang Lang (night)
Buln Buln bye
Last Modified on 20/04/2016 16:04