Where has the season gone? Only one more week of minor round action, winter arrives at long last and players will grace a heavier ground for the first time in 2017. Will the conditions influence results?
Elliston v West Coast Hawks at Elliston
This will test the level of improvement in the Roosters, top of table Hawks at home! The Hawks escaped with a relative narrow victory last week at Wudinna, kicking the last three goals of the game to win by that margin. The Roosters lost a tight encounter against the Tigers away, last start at this venue they romped in by 30 goals,
As has been written and spoken prior, the Roosters are on the rise and are capable of causing some surprises against fancied opposition in finals, but it must start here and now. Elliston is not always a happy hunting ground for the mighty Hawk.
Jay Williams getting game time now, Del Miller and Ross Bascomb in great form, Gorn Tree has been excellent, mainly on the wing and loves the contested footy. Ben and Adam Hurrell critical to the Roosters chances, Guy Hutchison is all class. Liam Newton close to best on last week, winning so much around the middle and pin point passing forward. Brad Fisk enjoyed an enforced rest on the pine last week, having a great year and lifts the team. Brody Kenny, speed and agility week in week out. Josh Theodoros has played some great cameos this year and will be asked for goals.
The Hawks perhaps below their best last week, but missing keys Dylan Kelsh and coach Mark Dolling. Evergreen Tyson Montgomerie and young gun Jay Johns missed also, so the Hawks will improve this week. Derick Freeman is a rock in defence and Aiden Whitford the other end a prolific scorer. Gerard Montgomerie has made a welcome return to the club, and Corey Cabot a weekly high level contributor. Nick Schumann, Cam Montgomerie and Mark Dolling provide the midfield grunt, and fleet footed runners make the Hawks a difficult team to play against.
Home ground advantage to the Roosters, heavier conditions that will assist nullifying the fast Hawks, but it is just not good policy to pick against the ladder leaders ever! Elliston know they are a great chance here, so will play with the expectation of a win.
Hawks 10-20
Central Eyre v Western Districts at Warramboo
Should be an enthralling encounter at Warramboo. Tigers coming off a shut down style win against Elliston last week, and the highly fancied ‘dogs tearing out of the blocks to set up a big margin at half time before meandering through the second half to a workman like win. Central’s credentials are well established, back to back premierships and business this year also, have the Tigers reaches this level?
So many options available at the Kennel and troops rallying for the finals. Jake Bruce and Jesse Stringer high in the best each week, Zac Fitzgerald back in last week, Tasman will be back this week. Looking also for the return of reliable Clint Winter. The Bulldogs are just so dangerous going forward, Tyler Chapman adds a dimension with his agility and ball sense, with regular service coming from a dominant midfield.
The Tigers are well set now and producing regular good football. Sam Beare and Ken Newcombe have held well in defence and will look to the midfield pressure of Riley King, Kirk Hull and Scott Feltus to restrict the ‘dogs. Districts operate well as a team, sharing the load and working for each other. This will be a test however. Is the old master Shannon Horgan ready yet? He is missed!
Some questions do still remain with the Tigers ability to kick higher scores that the top sides do so regularly. When the ball is moved quickly to Jack Shanley and cohorts, they look good, but anything less than pinpoint will be swooped on by Kane Sampson and suddenly it’s the Dogs shooting at goal.
Still a hard assignment to take on the Bulldogs, particularly on their home soil, but the Tigers must show that they are a threat for an extended finals participation. We will know 5pm Saturday.
Bulldogs 30 - 40
Wudinna United v Wirrulla at Wudinna
A six point margin at the last meeting to Wirrulla, with the Magpies steaming home late, and a tie earlier in the season (R4) with the Bombers steaming home late. Not much between these two sides ever, and both perhaps disappointed with where they find themselves given close matches and opportunities lost.
Wudinna United matched the highly fancied Hawks for so long last week only falling late again, whilst the Bombers enjoyed a strong second half against the Bulldogs.
Wudinna United will see this as their grand final, winless to date but competitive all year. Jack Lange simply outstanding, Brett Watkinson and Xavier Smith Scott having great seasons, Neil Seaman’s run will be telling and Dallas Waters back to his reliable best.
Ryan Watson loves these match ups, always heading the best against the Maggies, Callan Roe rucking well, Simon Webb relishes the large oval expanses kicking regular bags here! Rob Holmes and Rowan Chester reliable every week, and young Mac Best and Jai Holmes presenting themselves as stars of the future.
This will be an entertaining encounter, hopefully the weather holds, for years and years these two just match each other well. Probably not likely to be a shoot out, but players from both sides can sniff a victory here. Maybe Maggies at home?
Magpies 1 -10
Last Modified on 04/08/2017 20:30