With the EDFL top five now set entering this Saturday’s final round of the home and away season a major talking point will be whether the finalists hold back a bit this week in anticipation of the more important matches over the upcoming month. Even so two of the success stories of this season – Nyora and Poowong – will meet in this week’s match of the day in what will still be an enthralling contest.
NYORA v POOWONG
The Saints have had close to the perfect season only dropping the one game. It got a big scare against Ellinbank last week that should keep it honest this week in what looks a more daunting challenge. The Magpies have been knocking on the door of the finals and finally got there with five wins in a row between round 13 and 17. More significantly than its win over Buln Buln last week was the return of star forward Ben Hancock who kicked three goals in only his sixth game of the season.
The Saints can ill afford to lose momentum on the eve of the finals and should win but it will be pressed hard against a team that has equal to if not more stars than most in the league.
ELLINBANK v LONGWARRY
Having missed the finals, the Eagles will be out to salvage some prestige out of the season with a win over Longwarry. After an indifferent mid-season its performances over the last three weeks have been very good and it should give a good contest. Injury prone star recruit Adam Cook kicked five goals against Nyora last week and if he had played more than the nine games in tandem with Tom Johnson who only played five games the Bankers would have played in the finals. Perhaps most interest from a Crows perspective revolves around how many goals its coach Daniel Fry will kick. After bagging seven last week he has moved to top of the goal kicking table with 66 majors. His main rival Catani sharpshooter Owen Fitzpatrick was held goal less for the first time in the season last week and sits on 62 goals. The visitors to win by around 20 to 30 points.
NEERIM SOUTH v CATANI
The Cats have only recorded three wins this year but on a positive note it has got plenty of game time into the likes of youngsters Nick Castle, Dane Fawcett, Harry Griffiths and Matt Kelliher who are at the forefront of the next generation. Plus, a number of its undefeated U18s look certain to measure up so the future years look rosy. This week however may be a bridge too far as the Blues will be on the rebound and it its experience led by coach Tanny Rodda, Owe Fitzpatrick, James and John Alexander, Nick Visser and Luke McFarlane who boast more than 1000 senior games will come to the fore.
BULN BULN v LANG LANG
The Lyrebirds should win without too much fuss against the Tigers. Having said that it has only won one of its last 11 quarters. However, the visitors have not kicked 10 goals in any game this season and have only won one quarter since round 12. Ben Barwick is its leading goal kicker with 11 while Josh Brown has ten. Buln Buln have won six matches and Lang Lang only one which should be a fair guide to the result.
WARRAGUL INDUSTRIALS v NILMA DARNUM
The Dusties should salute against the Bombers. Warragul is well and truly on the radar again as a premiership chance now that it has secured a double chance with an away from home victory over Catani last week. From a Dusties perspective plenty of encouraging points came out of the win led by Mitch Davies who provided a terrific target at centre half forward while another pre-season recruit Steve Ballingall showed plenty midfield and polished playmaker Josh Peterson played his first game since the 10th round.
SELECTIONS
NYORA v Poowong
Ellinbank v LONGWARRY
Neerim South v CATANI
BULN BULN v Lang Lang
WARRAGUL INDUSTRIALS v Nilma Darnum
Last Modified on 15/08/2018 09:59
