15 May 2019
Once upon a time, this would be a week that the inter league side would be contemplating a May clash, clubs would be assessing early season form and what to do next. No such luxury this year, the Great Flinders clash on hold and business as usual in the home and away fixtures. Quite a round this one, a Grand Final rematch, Hawks sparkling at present, coming up against their nemesis of 2018, the Roosters! Tigers desperate to stamp that they have arrived as a serious challenger, what better opportunity than against perennial high performer – the ‘Dogs. The travelling Bombers against a struggling Magpies, with a clear place in the four on offer for the winner!
Elliston v West Coast Hawks at Elliston
Hawks on the road to Rooster Park, not always a happy hawk hunting ground! It wont be lost on the Hawks however that this in the venue for the Grand Final in 2019, so game time here is gold. The two clubs have gone in different directions since their epic clash in the 2018 Grand Final, Elliston losing 20 odd players overall, and planning a rebuild on youth, the Hawks solid with their off season acquisitions, more than solid, in fact adding match winners!
On the eve of the one day cricket world cup, the Hawks celebrated with a cricket score of their own last week, notching up a breathtaking 247 points (37 goals, 25) all without mercurial Cam Montgomerie, who was leading the league goal kicking prior to his absence! Can they fit him into the highly functional forward line, or does he come back via the magoos?
Elliston have battled on bravely, player numbers a concern, and looking at youth to go forward. The top end of the Elliston side remains strong, Steve Paul, Matt Williams, Ross Bascomb, Matt Bascomb are guns in any side. Missed Glen Tonkin forward last week and also Andrew Mc Leod’s creativity, both should be back this week. Chad Fleming is spending time with his son Harvey in the League side, Harvey is really something, smooth moving one touch player, who uses every possession to advantage. Jordan Little will be a star of the future, good in the air and a wonderful kick. Josh Redden in good form, Robbie Pickett provides strength and hard ball winning ability and Sam Cassanova is a silky skilled operator. Gorn Tree taking on bigger roles this year, playing a very senior role for still a young lad!
The Hawks just have so much to offer. Good on every line and playing like a side with unfinished business. Team work and workload share is the key. Jack Burton and Jess Kenny huge recruits and prolific ball winners. Mark Dolling back to his best, Dylan Montgomerie playing with the poise of old, Dylan Kelsh first hand to the footy too regularly, and a tower mark around the ground. Options forward in all directions, Braden Holmes, Jake Mc Evoy, Ryan Hicks, Aiden Whitford. Shannon Haynes welcome back last week. A mean and uncompromising backline, Derick Freeman, Tyson Montgomerie, Kirk Montgomerie rebounding faster than the ball can come in. Youngsters getting vital match time also.
The Roosters may have to batten down the hatches here, the Hawks are in free flowing form and memories of recent finals pain. Will Elliston have enough stopping power to hold back so many Hawks scoring options, whilst generating score for themselves? Roosters play this venue so well and this will be no repeat of last week’s Hawks dominance, but nonetheless, the rampaging Hawks start a very warm favourite here
Hawks 60 – 70
Central Eyre v Western Districts at Warramboo
The Dogs accounted for a spirited Bombers at Wirrulla last week, and will not be unhappy to be back home at the ‘Boo, where the wide spaces suit them to a tee. The Tigers brain trust must be full concentration, a win here could rank them above others in the finals race, but more importantly a good showing against another major finals contender builds confidence.
The Bulldogs are improving at each outing, missed captain Jake Sampson last week, also Tyler Chapman with a hammy strain who will be doubtful again. Harry Haebich welcomed back, and otherwise the team is settling well into their work. Jesse Stringer back to his best, with Jared Sampson spending time back in the middle, Centrals capitalising on the ruckwork of Ty Mc Kenna. Corey and Brandon Waters a couple of games each and straight into the best, both highly skilled and agile. Grand old legend Kane Sampson just seems to keep getting better, a new pair of boots can go into the family budget for 2020, he has years left in his career! Wade O’ Brien back at the top again last week also, despite his desire to wind back a bit, he remains a huge thorn any side who tries to match him up! Squirt Winter in dangerous form as is Hayden Heath.
Plenty to like about the way the Tigers went about it last week, two towers forward fired, Damon King with eight, and Andrew Miller a solid support role also with a couple, sort of reminds of the days of Garry Ablett and Bill Brownless! Charlie Williams is having a career best season and must be high in Mail Medal contentions, early though it is. His bursts of speed and work load are causing all sorts of head aches for the opposition. Broadie Chandler strength and guile around the centreline setting up plenty of forward forays for the Tigers. Derek Williams is a hard ball winner, allowing the traditional Tiger hard nuts Shannon Horgan and Scott Feltus time away from the centre. Kade Gill and Joe Williams key backline rebounders and Thomas Lee and Zane Montgomerie prime movers forward and centre. Bredon Smart and Josh Horgan have imposed themselves early in the season and will be looked to against good opposition here.
The ‘Dogs at home! Not good policy to back against them anytime, much less here! Districts must stay with them here and now, showing the world that they are the real deal in 2019. Centrals have proven a difficult opponent for the Tigers in the past. The Districts boys need to back themselves and take risks going forward quickly. The slower chip style is gobbled up by the highly efficient Bulldogs.
Bulldogs 20 - 30
Wudinna United v Wirrulla at Wudinna
Now here is a game that looms as points double, as a loss relegates one side to the wrong end of the ladder. Magpies at home, but no problems for the Bombers. Some of the Wirrulla FC biggest moments have happened here. Last week saw a highly competitive Wirrulla go down late to Centrals, whereas the Maggies simply never got started against the Hawks.
Wudinna United are decimated by injury, even last week losing Cody Boylan early. It's hoped that they are past the worst and will get players back hereafter thus getting their season back in alignment. Still some great contributions this year, Adam Jericho is fast on the rise and relishing playing against opposition key forwards, Tyson Jackson tough as always, old soldier Henry Zwar reborn up the ground, Dan Foster making an appearance last week, long time away but lifts those around him with skill and smooth movement. Matty Greatbatch is all heart. Remi North carrying some soreness, he is a prime mover when fully fit. Looking forward to the return of Ricky Seal, Jonty Seal, Ian Jericho, Josh and Izaac Boylan. This will come together over the next few weeks.
The Bombers are also on the improve, Simon Webb in wonderful touch forward, Matt Kelsh a great recruit for the year, strong and skilful. Ryan Watson and Mitchell Gum week in and week out leading the way. Will Mayhew likely unavailable this week and will be missed. Barney Watkinson and Dan Theunans here during seeding operations, from Burra way and valuable inclusions. Taylor Schmucker across the half back line is tough and uncompromising, continuing on from a wonderful 2018, big Yanni Kozminski will be better for his first run last week, and a key target that will help the Bombers forward. Rob Holmes also first game back last week, he will be a huge bonus as the season unfolds. Ben Brown new this year and looks the goods. Jack Evans and Milton Kelsh settling into their work, Milton pulling down some great grabs and capable across half forward, Jack versatile, loves the contested footy.
Wirrulla have been wayward with their goal kicking at times this year, so need attention to this aspect. This is an opportunity to knock off a close opponent and land themselves a spot in the four. Early season yes! but this is one game that will be hard to get back by the loser. Magpies are not without a chance, but whilst troops are on the sidelines, the Bombers are expected to have too much fire power.
Bombers 20 - 30
Last Modified on 16/05/2019 18:51