This Saturday’s EDFL eighth round will see the fourth placed Ellinbank and the top of the table Nyora take centre stage. The Eagles will be out to inflict the Saints first defeat.
And another attention-grabbing match will be between the Warragul Industrials who make the short trip down the road to Darnum to meet Nilma. While the Dusties sit in second spot on the ladder and the Bombers in seventh – the host team only lost by a solitary point last week against the undefeated Nyora and must fancy their chances to produce an upset.
Also, Catani goal kicking machine Owen Fitzpatrick needs only seven goals to register his 1000th senior goal – an incredible milestone. Plenty of EDFL fans will be keen to follow how many goals ‘Big Owe’ has kicked over the course of the afternoon.
And a number of clubs -namely Poowong, Neerim South & Nilma Darnum - have signalled their intention to wear coloured laces and purchase products in support of the Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation this week which raises awareness of the importance of tissue and organ donation.
ELLINBANK v NYORA
Ellinbank will be out to serve notice it is a legitimate final prospect when it hosts ladder leaders Nyora. Both teams will enter the game after narrow escapes last Saturday. The Bankers pipped Catani by five points and the Saints held on for a one-point win over Nilma. In a scouting role in front of the big sticks Eagle small Shaun Phelan was outstanding last week kicking five goals – including a vital major in the last quarter with a ‘left foot banana’ after an interception at pace from deep in the pocket that must be in the goal of year category. In the absence of Adam Cook (eye injury) strong marking utility Tom Johnson stepped up as a target and while he has not played more than 20 games over the last five years he is a genuine talent and shapes as an X-factor for the Bankers this season if he can remain fit. Nyora sit top and two games clear but remarkably it has won four games by eight points or less. On a big day for the home side – it is their annual sponsors and life members luncheon – I’ll tip the Eagles to produce an upset.
NILMA DARNUM v WARRAGUL INDUSTRIALS
The Bombers will be out to take down the Dusties. Nilma shook off a slow start last week to finish with the final five goals off the game to lose by a point against Nyora. It is the most difficult team in the competition to get a read on and in contrast Warragul is the most consistent. Star Dusties recruit Jack Blakey bagged seven goals last week to suggest he is about the recapture the form that made him one of the most dangerous forwards in the league when he played at Bunyip. The Dusties treated Lang Lang with disdain last week kicking 20 unanswered goals. The Darno’s will provide stiff opposition but not quite enough to secure the four match points on offer.
BULN BULN v POOWONG
This is a crunch game for both teams as neither can ill afford a loss if they have final aspirations. Interestingly after the first third of the season Buln Buln have fielded the least number of senior players (26) while Poowong have fielded the most (34). The Lyrebirds must be pleased with the improvement in Carlton Helliwell and Jake Pierrehumbert who have created plenty of drive from the midfield this season. Magpie pair Chris Robinson and Ben Hancock are shaping as two of the recruits of the year and will pose match up problems for the home side. Buln Buln lost by 46 points last week which was its biggest defeat of the season which does not inspire confidence. Conversely Poowong has won three on the trot and a feat it hasn’t achieved since 2011. The visitors in a tight go.
LANG LANG v LONGWARRY
The odds are stacked against the Tigers this week when it hosts the Crows. Only five players Aiden Nooy, Ben Parrot and the well performed trio of Josh Brown, Matt Thompson and Troy McPherson have played all seven games which sheds a bit of light on the problems for coach Clint Evans. Longwarry is travelling nicely. While its defence could be tighter in attack it has scored the second most points. Lang Lang look hard pressed to mount a serious challenge.
CATANI v NEERIM SOUTH
The Blues will suit up to the Cats. The reigning premiers should comfortably account for this season;s cellar dwellers. The major interest revolves around whether powerhouse Catani forward Owen Fitzpatrick can kick seven goals to reach the 1000 senior goal mark – a truly amazing feat and one that has never been achieved in the EDFL before. Fair to think he will get plenty of opportunities. There is a strong possibility he will be matched up against Neerim Coach Nick Humphrey which should prove a good duel. Missing midfield guns Paul Pattinson and Antonio Benvenuto the Blues haven’t been at there best of late but the form book says it will still win easily.
Selections
ELLINBANK v Nyora
Nilma Darnum v WARRAGUL INDUSTRIALS
Buln Buln v POOWONG
Lang Lang v LONGWARRY
CATANI v Neerim South
Last Modified on 31/05/2018 22:36
