This Saturday the Round 10 match of the day will see Poowong play host to Elllinbank. With a higher percentage the Magpies – currently in sixth position on the ladder - sit in the box seat to edge out the fifth placed Eagles if it can capture the four match points on offer.
In another crunch game Nilma Darnum who looked good things to make the finals after the opening month have now lost five games on the trot will again be under the microscope when it travels to Longwarry to face the ever-improving Crows.
POOWONG v ELLINBANK
Poowong will be looking to rebound from last week’s loss when it meets Ellinbank. After four wins on the trot the Magpies received a reality check last week against the ladder leaders Nyora. It does appear that the Poowong require Ben Hancock if it is to be a genuine threat to the top sides. The tall utility has only played four games this season the last in round 8. The Eagles will also enter the game after a loss – to Longwarry. Its form had plateaued over the last month perhaps the most salient sign from last week being the form of Mick Urie who played his best game for the Eagles since crossing from Neerim South over summer. Got a feeling the midfield pace of he Magpies will trouble the Bankers.
LONGWARRY v NILMA DARNUM
With three wins in a row the Crows have stepped into the spotlight and second place on the ladder. Its opponents the Bombers have slipped from third on the table after round 4 to seventh at the half way point. Last weeks loss to Neerim South was a real kick in the guts to its finals hopes. It has made a habit of losing close games having lost five matches by 15 points or less. With over half a dozen new recruits this year led by ball magnet Russell Lehman Longwarry is now playing football commensurate with the look of a top side on paper. The home side will enter the popular elect.
BULN BULN v WARRAGUL INDUSTRIALS
The Lyrebirds face a tough assignment against the Dusties who will be keen to atone for a second half fade out last week. Warragul promised much in the first half against Catani but delivered little after the main break. For all of its entries inside fifty this season it has not been rewarded with goals despite Shane Brewster kicking 26, Jack Blakey 19 and Will Jolley 11. Buln Buln is young and inexperienced but it does not know how to lay down and will put up a fight but the superior talent of the Dusties will prevail.
LANG LANG v CATANI
The Tigers always throw down the gauntlet to the Blues and will do so again. In recent years it has defied the odds to push or beat Catani and this will give it something to give it hope to produce an upset. Last week young ruck Joe Dalgleish and defender Sam Kendall and Andrew Thompson all showed plenty. This trio has only played four games each this year and partly explains the Tigers problems. Furthermore, to cut Lang Lang some slack it has only had three players Josh Brown, Aiden Nooy and Troy McPherson play all nine games this season - a strong pointer to their travails. Catani will be buoyed by its comeback last week. After trailing by 28 points at Western Park it’s engine room cranked up to pull back the margin and register a draw. It won’t be all plain sailing for the visitors but come siren time it should be well in front.
NYORA v NEERIM SOUTH
On current form the Saints will hold no fear when it welcomes the Cats. Neerim will be upbeat after it recorded its first win of the year over Nilma Darnum last Saturday. Dane Fawcett was outstanding with three majors and a snapped goal in heavy traffic in the last minute of the match to give the Cats their first win. Incredibly with 27 senior games he represents one of the Cats more mature players. Jack Griffiths in only his second game back at the club since 2015 after playing in the Western Australian amateur league and Claremont reserves also gave ripping support to the ever-reliable Jack Ward and Nathan Bayne. And while on players to make an impact on return to their club - at Nyora Ben Hallas did that last week kicking four goals. He left the club after a playing in a premiership side in 2007 and now 34 years of age he is now another key in the Saints revival this season. Nyora won their opening round clash against Neerim South by 49 points and whether the Cats can get a bit closer this time around will be of interest.
ROUND 10 – SELECTIONS
Lang Lang v CATANI
Buln Buln v WARRAGUL INDUSTRIALS
LONGWARRY v Nilma Darnum
POOWONG v Ellinbank
NYORA v Neerim South
Last Modified on 21/06/2018 21:57
