Rochester and Mooroopna clash in the match of the round at Rochy today.
This could easily be a preview to an elimination or qualifying final on September 6 or 7 with both sides desperate for the four points.
The last time they met at Mooroopna on May 10 the Tigers prevailed to the tune of 47 points and the way they disposed of Seymour last Saturday would suggest the Cats are in for a hard day at the office if they are to get the points. Both sides have had some highs and lows to date and at 7-7 apiece and fifth (Rochester) and sixth (Mooroopna) on the ladder shows how similar their seasons have been. However, there is one difference, the Cats have blooded a lot of youngsters while the Tigers have had a side which promised so much on so many occasions and delivered little. Talk about being the North Melbourne of the GVFL - they need swabbing and just maybe they are about to bring their best to the table. The Colbinabbin Kid, Grant WEEKS, is proving to be just as good in the GVFL as he was in the Bendigo League with 75 goals for the season and if Brendan HOLLOW, Ash WATSON and company can get the ball to him quickly he will deliver the goods. Eight last week, how many today?
At the other end of the ground, Robert OSBORNE, showed on Saturday he is finding form, after injury, with four goals while team mate Daniel LEWIS can kick a bag on any given day. This will be a contest to the wire with the Tigers going onto eight wins for the season.
Shepparton Swans will remember vividly how close the scores were on July 5 in round 11 when they got up by 12 points at Seymour. The Swans had a comfortable win against Euroa at Euroa last Saturday with Justin MADDERN kicking seven goals to take his tally for the season to 60. The Lions have a lot of players returning from injury but they will find the quality sides, such as the Swans, hard to beat because they are finals fit and to get over them will be a tough task. Jamason DANIELS, Tyson SIDEBOTTOM, Paul FRY, Andrew RIORDAN and company are providing plenty of drive from the mid field and this will allow the Swans to stay in the second place on the ladder.
Shepparton United and Echuca will play a desperate game at The D with the Demons still hoping to make the finals, while the Murray Bombers can’t make it but could have a say in who fills the bottom half of the six. The Demons have probably been playing above themselves until their recent slump and it must he frustrating for co-coach, Geoff HALL and Tim LOOBY to get them up each week. Echuca played well against the Cats last Saturday and they can be expected to do it again on Saturday. The Demons need to return to their best form of the season to get over the Murray Bombers.
Euroa again has the home ground advantage and they will need it against Tatura who are charging towards the finals. The Tasmanian Devil, Sonny WHITING booted 10 for the Bulldogs on Saturday which was a show of his true Tassie form, making the Dogs even more lethal. The Magpies will do their best for their supporters at Euroa but it won’t be enough because the Dogs can see themselves still there late in September.
Kyabram are home to Mansfield who have some good players but just not enough to go with the likes of Kyabram. One of the Eagles most consistent players for the season has been Adam BOSHEVSKI who kicked three goals for the Eagles against the Bulldogs and once again showed why he should be named Home Central Player of the Round. The Bombers respond to their coach’s instructions and coming from Dave Williams those instructions can be match winning. Paul NEWMAN is back booting goals for the Bombers and his eight on Saturday came against stiff opposition and took his tally for the season to 41 which is a good effort considering he’s still carrying injuries.
Benalla despite a horror run of tragedies continue to keep winning and their top of the ladder position shows just how solid the Saints and the community are when it comes to facing adversity. Today at home they play Shepparton who have greatly improved this season and while they won’t beat the Saints they will show they have come a long way. If the Bears stick with their young players, and I’m sure they will, they could become another Benalla in the not too distant further.
Last Modified on 28/03/2015 19:14