No real surprises last week with the closest game being at Deakin Reserve between Shepp United and Mooroopna which went right down to the wire with the Demons hanging on to win by 6 points after trailing by 2 goals at half time. Many pundits have questioned why Michael GAY went to full forward in the last quarter after winning in the ruck all day and being named as the Cats best player. Tommy ROBERTS and Jason EAGLE both kicked 4 for the D's while Jordon SOUTER, Jake COWMAN and Coach Brad CAMPBELL each kicked 3 for the Cats. The Cats will be better than what they showed with Nathan TWEDDLE and Craig WHELAN returning after weeks off with injury. United had good players all over the ground. Echuca had a big win over Tatura with Murray Bomber Joel PERRY showing exactly what he can do by kicking a perfect ten - down the other end Cameron TREWIN kicked 6 for the Dogs and was named the Bullies best as was Joel PERRY named best for Echuca. The Benalla Saints recorded their second win for the year by knocking Shepparton over by the tune of 84 points - Ricky SYMES and Josh MELLINGTON both kicked 5 whereas Shepp. only managed 8 goals for the game. Nick ALLAN and David DANIEL were named as Shepp's best players. Kyabram had to really earn the 4 points up at Mansfield and can perhaps count themselves very lucky to get the win - the Bombers were strong in the last quarter by kicking 6 goals 2 behinds where the Eagles kicked 2 goals 5 behinds. The Eagles were probably worn out by the last quarter as they kicked terrible all day, their Q by Q scores were :- 0.6 3.5 6.7 and 2.5. The final score was Kyabram 19.13 (32 scoring shots) to Mansfield 11.23 (34 scoring shots) Bad kicking - bad football???? Rochester recorded a 45 point victory over Seymour where it seems it took the Tigers well into the 3rd quarter to get on top and then purr away over the Lions. Sam BRENNAN and Dean MOON were named the Tigers best, the COLBERT brothers were named Seymour's best. The Shepparton Swans were only up by 7 points at half time at the Memorial Oval at Euroa but really powered away in the 2nd half to kick 11goals 6 behinds to the Magpies 6 goals 4. Robbo kicked 9 to take him well ahead in the Goal Kicking with a total of 82. If Robbo has played all the 13 games (and I think he has) his average is a very healthy 6.3 goals per game and with 5 games remaining, by rights he will top the tonne. Brodie A'VARD and youngsters Trent NICHOLSON and Tommy PREECE were named in the Swans best players list - apparently Robbo also kicked 9 points as well as his 9 goals. Determined Brad CUNNINGHAM was named as the Maggies best player.
Round 14 selections will be underlined and in bold. There will be no big reasoning for the tips - just tips! Shepp United should win and win well down at Seymour but it will be a real good test for the Demons defenders if the COLBERT boys and Joffa they play up forward. Terrific to learn that Bernie HABERMAN has been reappointed for the next two years and the Lions are keeping all their players - this could spur the Lions on which could make this a danger game for the Demons. Kyabram at home to Euroa - Ky up top of the ladder with a healthy percentage could improve the % a bit more. Shepparton host Mansfield at Deakin Reserve where the potential Collingwood President will make sure his Eagles do all the right things to get the 4 points because as is the case with the Swans, Tatura and Seymour, they just simply have to win to keep in the race to play finals. There must be something wrong at Shepp. as they hav'nt looked like racking up a win all year. Echuca should account for Benalla up on the Murray despite having Brad MURRAY and Kristian HEIGHT up in Canberra - the Murray Bombers were very good last week and will want to record a big win to try and get their % up a bit as they are 4th on the ladder, just .2 of a % out of 3rd possie. Mooroopna are 3rd on the ladder with 40 points and a % of 140.82 whereas Echuca are also on 40 points but with a % of 140.62. Come finals time, 3rd plays 6th in an Elimination Final, 4th plays 5th in the other Elimination Final (1st plays 2nd in the double chance Qualifyinf final). Many people believe that the team who finishes 3rd has a terrific advantage to advance straight into a second semi final - this is something Brett HENDERSON will have on his mind. The old Rodney Shire cup clash is on at Mooroopna where the Cats host the Bulldogs from Tatura. The Cats get the nod because of the runs TWEDDLE and WHELAN had last week and the fact that Jake COWMAN and Luke DURLING are getting better and better with each game. GAY and COWMAN v KIRBY and LITTLE should be worth watching. Robbo and Knock Knock YZE could go real silly at Princess Park against Rochy and kick big bags. The Shepparton Swans are in the 6 and a game clear of Mansfield, Tatura and Seymour and will be going hell for leather to knock over the Tigers. Remember that Robbo kicked 9 goals 9 over at Euroa last week and we all know that Damien knows how to kick goals plus the Swans have young Rising Star nomination Josh McDONALD, Luke JARJOURA, Adem YZE and plenty of others who can score. Rochy will put up a strong effort as they always do but the bombardment that their backline will cop indicates a Swans victory.
How interesting is this season hey? Fair dinkum; 4 teams equal on 10 wins and 3 losses then Rochy in 5th possie with 32 points, then the Swans in 6th on 28 points and then Mansfield, Tat. & Seymour all on 24 points. Another interesting fact is the Kyabram Reserves and the Rochester Under 18's are both still undefeated. This is when it gets real interesting with the old Sandy SHAW classic "Wishing and Hoping." In the Under 18's, if Benalla defeats Echuca and United defeat Seymour, the Demons can get into the 6th spot and then in the Reserves, if Shepparton defeat Mansfield at Deakin and if Rochy defeat the Swans at Princess Park, the Bears can take the Swans 6th spot by percentage. Interesting is'nt it?
Until next week, Round 15 - July 31st - take care out there - let us read the news, not be the news!
Last Modified on 29/08/2010 14:30