Ellinbank v Dusties
Ellinbank have greeted the start of the season with two but far from convincing victories. Warragul Industrials sit at a win and a loss after going down by three points to Longwarry last week. The Bankers would have been pleased with the performance of former Neerim playmaker Mick Urie in his debut for the club and star recruit Adam Cook should be better for the run and in conditions that did not assist a strong marking forward. Youngsters Mark Vassett and Tom Robertson did plenty of good work in defence. Dusties coach Joel Morgan has led by example over the opening two rounds and tenacity of Tyson Bale and class of Josh Peterson has been evident early season. Home ground advantage swings the result the way of the Eagles.
Catani v Nyora
Nyora will made tracks to Catani. The Saints backed up their opening round win against Neerim South with a tight victory over Buln Buln. Nyora star Dylan Heylen must be pleased that newcomers Ryan Spooner and Rhys Bancroft have helped spread the workload this season while former Buln Buln defender Shaun Beecroft is also a good pick up for the Saints. Last year Catani beat Nyora both times – by 32 points the first time and by 41 points the second time around. This will be Nyora’s biggest challenge and should reveal whether they are a genuine top five contender. Similar to last season Catani have been going about things quietly but effectively with two wins. Hard to go past the reigning premiers at home.
Longwarry v Poowong
The Crows would have derived a lot of confidence from last weeks narrow victory at Western Park. The return to the club of ruckman Nick Redley, wingman Danny Wells, utility Josh Bourke and Troy Lehman has in no small way given Longwarry more depth. Poowong is zip and two on the win-loss but has really boxed on well in both its games. De La Salle recruit Chris Robinson showed plenty last week and Tim Hancock offered good resistance in his first game of the season. The Magpies will be no pushover but the home side should get the job done.
Lang Lang v Nilma Darnum
Buoyed by their opening win of the season the Tigers will feel a lot better placed to meet the Bombers. Club stalwarts Stuart Casey, Brad Michie and Scott Fairburn provide Lang Lang with plenty of experience but have a feeling the run of the Bombers led by Ben and Tom Campbell and Brent Simons will overwhelm the on-ball brigade of the home team.
Buln Buln v Neerim South
The Cats will slip down the road to meet the Lyrebirds. After two rounds it seems Neerim South will have their backs to the wall this season. They have plenty of good youngsters but not enough maturity. It has scraped hard but found not good enough in its opening two hit outs. Buln Buln coach Matt Gray continues to inspire and must be pleased with the impact of Warragul recruit Tom Axford and youngsters Sean Symes and Mathew Notman both of whom were league U18 representatives in 2017. Buln Buln to chalk up their first victory of the year.
SELECTIONS in CAPITALS
ELLINBANK v Dusties
CATANI v Nyora
LONGWARRY v Poowong
Lang Lang v NILMA DARNUM
BULN BULN v Neerim South
Last Modified on 20/04/2018 20:14