The representative season is almost drawing to a close following the State Country Championships, although under 15s and under 17s off to represent at the State Youth Championships. Congratulations to Jay Johns (Under 17), Zack Lovegrove and Callum Saunders (under 15) who will represent EP/Norwood.
A straight run into the finals now, no breaks, just full concentration as finals positions are on the line.
Central Eyre v Elliston at Warramboo
Happy Birthday Warramboo Community, celebrating 100 years since founding. The Warramboo Football Club started 1928, having been the Rams (Black and Red), The Panthers (Blue and White) and now the modern day Bulldogs as reigning premiers. Many former residents and those with ties to the community will be back, so the current crop will be very keen to show off their wares and kick start their 2017 campaign again. Standing in their way this week is old arch foe, the Roosters, who care little about birthdays and nostalgia, they have their own finals spot to retain. These two clubs shared six premierships over the years 1995 to 2000, just when so many current players were learning their craft, so have a healthy respect for each other.
Centrals won the earlier encounters this year and looked unbeatable through the first round, but niggles and injury concerns have brought the high flying dogs back to ground level in recent times. This game will be much closer.
Those injury concerns have hit key players such as Jake Bruce, Kane Sampson, Tyler Chapman, Jake Sampson, Zac Fitzgerald. They will progressively return over the next couple of weeks, but will they be fit enough? Hayden Heath and Jared Sampson are in sterling form, Tasman Fitzgerald dangerous up front, Jesse Stringer coming off an outstanding State Country Championships. A lot to like with the young stars coming through, Corey and Brandon Waters, Joe O Brien, Brodi Grocke. Old stagers Martin Grocke and Clint Winter ensure that they learn the right things. At their best, the ‘dogs are breath taking with their speed and skill, but are they at their best?
Roosters too have had their share of injury, the loss of Adam Smyth was a cruel blow. The list looks very strong still when all those jigsaw pieces come together. Ross Bascomb, Adam Hurrell, Guy Hutchsion, Ben Hurrell, Del Miller, Liam Newton, Brody Kenny, Tom Rumbelow are class acts soon to be joined by Jay Williams and Jordan Newton. Brad Fisk provides energy and passion for the contest, the Bulldogs will really enjoy the advice that he offers opposition. Gorn Tree is on the rise, winning hard balls and quick hands. Concern over the loss of Matt Bascomb with serious ankle.
The Roosters really need to be at full noise to win this one, all hands on deck. The Bulldogs will be aiming for premiership defence, so their build up must start now. All the old supporters back and plenty to play for. Expect a closer match this time, and if the Roosters can get up, it will virtually assure a finals appointment for them.
Bulldogs 30 – 40
Wirrulla v West Coast Hawks at Wirrulla
These old neighbours renew acquaintances at Bomberland this week, Wirrulla still in the finals chase and the big assignment of league leading Hawks. The Hawks are playing an irresistible brand of hard running team oriented football, loads of contributors and strength on every line. Bombers for their part have improved as the season progresses, slow starters but getting players back on the track now.
Wirrulla needs big games again from the veterans Simon Webb and Ryan Watson. Callan Roe would have been the starting ruckman against Dylan Kelsh, however he is unavailable due to suspension, Mitchell Gum is fortunately home from College so this will be an absorbing dual.Rob Holmes in great form, Will Mayhew the disciplined tall in defence. Jason Henderson off with a shoulder last match and unlikely to play, a huge out!. The Bombers are getting game time into some serious good up and comers, Jack Kelsh, Jai Holmes and Kahil Evans. Rob Marshall will be called upon for a bag of goals!
The Hawks are just a great team playing great footy, run and carry, dangerous forward, productive midfield and mean defence. Plenty of rotations and options, also pleasingly getting A Grade experience into young players. Cam Montgomerie and Dylan Kelsh are in the best each week, Nick Schumann loves the tough hard matches, loves a goal too! Kirk Montgomerie unaffected by many late nights changing nappies, Aiden Whitford comfortably leading the goal kicking. Coach Mark Dolling is allowing himself the luxury of bench time from time to time, but he is right in the thick of it when needed. Corey Cabot, Jay Johns are spending more time on the ball and getting plenty of it. Sparky Freeman and Tyson Montgomerie lead a well drilled defensive unit. Kyall Renshaw will be a hard man to match up on as finals approach, injury issue early but well and truly back now. Could go through the whole list.
Very hard to see the Hawks dropping this match, they are sharpening their claws to wrestle back some silverware that has found its way east in recent times and they feel very indignant about that! The Bombers must stay as close as possible, their season will remain alive no matter what, but those few outs from their best team makes life difficult for now.
Hawks 60 – 70
Wudinna United v Western Districts at Wudinna
This one should be an absorbing dual, two side that play remarkably similar game styles. The Maggies must feel that the world is against them, winless, but a draw, a two point loss to the ladder leading Hawks, a five point loss to the Bombers. In so many games until late, what may have been? Tigers are doing enough to justify their third spot, but really need to rattle on some scores to join the top two! Best wishes are extended to Charlie Williams seriously concussed last week. A speedy and thorough recovery, he has been in outstanding form and he will be missed here.
Tigers have won both encounters this year and should have high hopes of very late season action in 2017.
The Magpies have been best served by Jack Lange and Brett Watkinson, Week in week out they are leading the way. Defenders Darryl Marshall and Dal Waters will continue to dominate, Xavier Smith-Scott a great target. Good form coming from youngsters Bronte Ingomar, Tom Dupree and Adam Jericho, the club has plenty to look forward to in that trio. Mark North back to his evergreen self, getting first use to Remi North, Matt Greatbatch. Neil Seaman has enjoyed a great year, just cant help wondering whether a trial forward may assist the productivity on the scoreboard, he has been successful doing this in the past.
Districts have put together some stylish footy this year, good recruits and fitting into their game style now. Stars - Scott Feltus and Shannon Horgan have help and results are coming!. Joe Williams sits out an enforced couple of weeks, so will need to be covered. Like the work of Sam Beare and Ken Newcombe in defence, reliable dependable and disciplined, just what is needed in good defenders, Riley King and Kirk Hull add bite to the middle, Josh Horgan and Steve Brands dangerous forwards crumbing from Jack Shanley. Thomas Lee and Zane Montgomerie are now Assoc. level players and both have potential to play higher still. Tigers value the football, win the hard ball and put it to good use.
Since the 2004 grand final, matches of these two just don’t result in big margins either way, and wins fairly shared every year. Maggies will be in this until late, just the concern on whether they can kick a winning score. The Tigers cant really afford a loss as they can all but wrap up their finals appearance here and now.
Tigers 10 -20
Last Modified on 07/02/2018 18:53