Anakie vs Werribee Centrals
The Centurions are in a strong vein of form, and are set to welcome back key players to this week’s side, including star forward Tyren Montebruno, while Anakie lost to Bannockburn at home before they, but prior to that had been in great form. This match-up between third and fifth promises to be a quality standard of football and a potential pre-cursor to a finals clash later in the year.
Player watch: Centurion Brad Mcnicol is having a brilliant start to the season, named in his side’s best in six of the seven matches.
Last time they met: Werribee Centrals 22.14.146 def Anakie 12.10.82
Prediction: Werribee by 20 points.
Winchelsea vs North Geelong
The Magpies sit second on the ladder after a brilliant start to the season; their past month has been very impressive with huge wins over Geelong West, Inverleigh and East Geelong, the sort of form they will look to continue on through the backend of 2013. The Blues got back on the winners list before the bye defeating Thomson, having had losses in the previous two matches. Last time the sides played it was as one-sided as you will see, expect this time around to be more competitive however North Geelong are in ominous form.
Player watch: Derek Fitzsimmons is having a quality season and will again be important in the middle for the Magpies.
Last time they met: North Geelong 41.23.269 def Winchelsea 0.2.2
Prediction: The Magpies by 67 points.
Bell Post Hill vs Corio
The Panthers continue to play outstanding football, accounting for the Eagles with ease in the grand final rematch. Corio will have a hugely tough task at Myers Reserve, although the Devils have shown they are capable of matching it with the best sides, having pushed Werribee and North Geelong in recent weeks.
Player watch: Dylan Whitney is in outstanding form, the goal kicking midfielder has been named in the best on all but one occasion in 2013.
Last time they met: Bell Post Hill 16.11.107 def Corio 1.6.12
Prediction: Bell Post Hill by 54 points.
East Geelong vs Inverleigh
This clash shapes as a must win for both clubs, both for different reasons. The Hawks are desperate for win number one having come agonisingly close in their past two outings. Whereas the Eagles have made it clear they still have every intention of playing finals football, given the return of many key players to line-up. If they are to stay in touch with the top five, it has to start here.
Player watch: The much awaited return of damaging midfielder Andrew Challis has finally arrived, he hasn’t played since round 3 and will be a big inclusion for the Eagles.
Last time they met: East Geelong 14.19.103 def Inverleigh 4.7.31
Prediction: With many players returning, East Geelong to be to strong by 31 points.
Bannockburn vs Thomson
Thomson are yet to rediscover their 2012 form which saw them play finals football, to add to their woes star player Luke Forbes is expected to miss this week’s clash. Bannockburn has won their past two matches to bring them to within reach of the top five. The two sides played off in last year’s qualifying final, Thomson where victorious on this occasion, but much has changed since then.
Player watch: Jackson Macleod took out the medal for the GDFL’s best player in last week’s interleague match, continuing on with his superb start to the year.
Last time they met: Thomson 16.13.109 def Bannockburn 14.8.92
Prediction: Bannockburn to make it three in a row, by 38 points.
Geelong West SC vs Belmont Lions
The Lions broke their losing streak prior to the bye with a victory over Inverleigh, whereas the Cheetahs have fallen into a form slump after their brilliant start to the year, losing their past two matches including a 100-point drubbing at the hands of North Geelong. Belmont won both their encounters last year with the Cheetahs; however they will face a vastly different Geelong West outfit in tomorrow’s clash.
Player watch: In last year’s round 17 clash, Chris Canavan destroyed the Cheetahs, booting nine goals.
Last time they met: Belmont Lions 18.12.120 def Geelong West 10.2.62
Prediction: The Cheetahs to bounce back, by 28 points.
Daniel Short
Last Modified on 06/06/2013 13:38