AVENEL V MURCHISON
Avenel’s big win has lifted it above Stanhope and into third place as the jockeying for positions inside the top six continues as we countdown to September.
Murchison kept its flickering play-off hopes alive with a gutsy win against sixth placed Violet Town.
The win helped the 2013 premier close the gap to four points with three rounds remaining, but Chapman will know that it is like two games with Violet Town having a percentage buffer of more than 25 on the Grasshoppers.
Chapman and his brother Luke proved the difference last week, sharing in 11 of the team’s goals while Stephen Burns, Nicholas Airs, premiership wingman Jamie Jones, Kevin Bloom and Jacob Chessells were other four quarter performers in the win over Violet Town.
Avenel’s form of late has been a little hot and cold.
Smashed by Stanhope one week and then hand out a football lesson a week later to finals bound Violet Town.
Micheal McKenzie, Cael McCarthy, Nathan Thomas, Lachlan Drummond, Scott Tyers and Jesse Jones were all key contributors in the percentage boosting win while McNamara Medal runner-up Michael Morgan got among the goals with plenty of touches as well.
VIOLET TOWN V NAGAMBIE
Violet Town is limping to the finals after enjoying a stellar season up until round 14.
It’s only win in the past three weeks has come against neighbour Longwood.
Samuel Poole, Jeremy Grace, Greg Dyer, Lochlan Morrison, Leigh Lugg and Curtis Hobbs tried valiantly against Murchison last week while Chris McKay booted three goals.
They need to have a four quarter effort from everyone that takes the park to be any chance of upstaging the Lakers.
The Lakers will be fresh having sat out last week.
Harley Taylor Lloyd has been very good in his return to the club this year.
He has filled the void left by the injured Pat Rattray, while Daniel Haysom has been a star up forward this season with a number of bags of goals.
Midfielders David Price and Michael Shiels have once again led from the front while new recruit Ricky Misti has been very good for the Lakers.
OTHER
In the remaining matches, Stanhope will be out avoid a losing double to Tallygaroopna, Lancaster host Girgarre and Ardmona make the trip down the road to Merrigum.
THREE THINGS WE LEARNT FROM THE ROUND
1. Brent Chapman has made a very good fist of his debut year as coach of Murchison. Whether they play finals or not it can be deemed a success.
2. The resilience of Longwood. Didn’t kick a goal in any of the three football matches last week, but fought back to put up admirable performances in the thirds and reserves against a strong opponent.
3. Ramadan Yze showed all class, kicking a bag of 10 to give the Bulldogs another option up forward.
My tips: Merrigum, Lancaster, Stanhope, Avenel and Nagambie.
Last Modified on 10/08/2015 09:14