EDFL round 9 tosses up a terrific set of matches. The 2017 runners up Warragul Industrials with be out to seek some form of redemption when they host the reigning premier Catani while in another match of equal billing Poowong will be keen to prove it has well and truly arrived as a final – if not flag prospect when it plays host to ladder leaders Nyora.
WARRAGUL INDUSTRIALS v CATANI
The second placed and in form Dusties will be out to push the fourth placed Blues down the ladder a peg or two. Statistically Warragul boast the most productive forward line and the tightest defence. Seven time best and fairest Shane Brewster has kicked 24 goals this season and proved a handful in attack for all rivals. And while on goals a huge congratulation to Catani spearhead Owen Fitzpatrick who bagged eight last week to pass the 1000 goal milestone at senior level - a truly superb achievement. Nick Visser racks up the hard ball gets week in – week out but without key runners Paul Pattinson and Antonio Benvenuto in recent weeks the Blues are down on form and personnel. Currently the home sides stocks are looking better
POOWONG v NYORA
The Magpies will shoot for their fifth consecutive victory but will face a tall order. In their way is the undefeated Saints. Last round Poowong veteran Trevor Hooker showed he is still in good fettle notching five goals in his first game for three weeks while Jayden Sullivan has shown to be one of the best new defenders in the league and Jack Hazendonk one of the prime midfield movers. Nyora forwards Ben Schulz (26 goals) and IIan Osman (22) have proved a handful for all comers, ruck Nick Carrigy with four games this season under his belt is now running into form as is Buln Buln recruit Shaun Beecroft who is now working well in defence with his new team mates. This game should be a humdinger. Picking against Nyora has been fraught with danger and made this tipster eat humble pie. Nonetheless it is the biggest home and away game for Poowong since it last made the finals in 2008 so I’ll tip the home side to lift to the occasion and scrape across the line.
LONGWARRY v ELLINBANK
The Crows square off with the Eagles. The output of the Longwarry experienced brigade led by Coach Daniel Fry who kicked nine majors last round, Danny Wells, Ken Towt, Russell Lehman and Aaron Serong has been instructive for the Crows younger brigade the likes of Kane Oldham and Riley Rundell both of whom have made their stamp on many a game this season. Ellinbank missed key forwards Adam Cook, Tom Johnson and Matt Barrand last round and without this trio of strong marking targets the job is a lot harder for its classy crumbers Shaun Phelan and Timothee Mashado. The Crows form has been warming up in recent weeks and in contrast the Eagles form has only been tepid. At home hard not to select Longwarry.
NEERIM SOUTH v NILMA DARNUM
The Cats will do the honours against the Bombers. Aside from the consistent form of Nathan Bayne, Aaron Fawcett, Dean Stringer and Jackson Ward and last week the return of Jack Griffiths who played his first game for the club since 2015 there has been little to be enthused about at Neerim. Its opponents Nilma will be disappointed to have plummeted down to seventh on the ladder having lost three games in a row. Those losses however were quite respectable (14 points to Poowong and 15 against Catani) before pushing the Dusties for three quarters last round. That form should account for the home side.
LANG LANG v BULN BULN
Expect a real tug of war between the Tigers and the Lyrebirds. Lang Lang often start with purpose but after the main break this season it has not been competitive and won only one of 16 second half quarters. Co-captain Josh Brown has been a stand out and likewise Matt Gray has been the rock that has held Buln Buln together. The Lyrebirds regularly control large patches of games but fail to stretch the advantage to the scoreboard. The Buln Buln defence has proved hard to penetrate having conceded less than 70 points per game and this strength likely to be the difference again.
Selections – Round 9
WARRAGUL INDUSTRIALS v Catani
POOWONG v Nyora
LONGWARRY v Ellinbank
Neerim South v NILMA DARNUM
Lang Lang v BULN BULN
Last Modified on 14/06/2018 15:53
