By Ken Moore
NINTH-placed Nar Nar Goon will be eyeing a spot in the top six if it can achieve a home ground victory over the very much improved and fifth-placed Longwarry in Saturday’s round six EDFL match of the round.
The Goon’s surprisingly low ladder position comes about due to narrow losses to Garfield, Cora Lynn and Lang Lang. With only the top two teams eligible for a double chance, the Goon cannot afford any more losses, otherwise its back-to-back flag odds will lengthen.
Nar Nar Goon showed some semblance of its best on Saturday against Warragul Industrials, which bodes well for its prospects. Tough Nyora recruit Paul Youle will be better for last week’s hit out, his first in a Goon jumper … but a query hangs over Inverloch recruit Luke Reddie, who was benched last week with a hamstring twinge.
Longwarry was competitive for long patches against Cora Lynn, but until it can conquer a top side, it will still have its detractors.
The Crows have a number of nippy types who should be suited to the wide open spaces at the Goon ground – but Nar Nar Goon has greater depth and incentive and should win.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:CATANI v WARRAGUL INDUSTRIALS
The Blues and the Dusties clash in, perhaps, the most engrossing match up on Saturday. Catani have only saluted on one occasion this season, against the lowly Buln Buln, and if it loses, will likely find itself three games and percentage outside the top six – and in grave danger of missing the finals for the first time in a decade.
The Blues have missed powerhouse forward Owen Fitzpatrick (hamstring) and on-baller Antonio Benvenuto (shoulder) over the last month – and while the latter might be an outside chance to resume, Fitzpatrick suffered a relapse of his injury last week and will miss again. Both teams have struggled to spot a target when they get the ball over the last two weeks and both have fallen away in the last quarter. Catani is a proud club and at home it will be up for the match and can upset the Industrials, who will enter the game marginal favourites.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:NYORA v GARFIELD
The Saints will be out of their depth against the early season flag favourites, the Stars. Aside from a narrow victory over Ellinbank, when it held on by the skin of its teeth after leading by 50 points, Nyora supporters have had little to cheer about. The undefeated Garfield is motoring along like a well-oiled machine. It is not the type of team to become complacent and most interest surrounds the end margin.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:BULN BULN v KOOWEERUP
The Lyrebirds will meet a rejuvenated Demon outfit. It appears there has been plenty of tension at Kooweerup in recent weeks between a few players and the 2010 appointed coach Shane Newcombe, which culminated in his dismissal prior to last week’s victory over Nyora. Both are developing sides, but the Demons appear to be far more advanced at the moment – and with Sean Miller, Rhys Morgan, Brett Hobson and Matt Cameron, it has the goalkicking potency to win with plenty in reserve. Buln Buln will badly miss its coach Daniel Charles, who broke his thumb in round four and is likely to be sidelined for a month.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:CORA LYNN v ELLINBANK
The Cobras have left no room for criticism over the last month while the Bankers have mixed their form. Cora Lynn still has at least three players sidelined who could strengthen their team, namely Luke Foreman, Nick Rutley and Springvale Districts recruit Jay Piggin. However, they will probably not be needed on Saturday. Such is the Cobras good form, this trio may have to work their way back via the reserves. The Bankers do not look too bad a team on paper, but it hasn’t yet materialised into a dangerous side on the field, so it hard not to select the home side – and by what should be a significant amount.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:NILMA DARNUM v BUNYIP
Apart from home ground advantage, the Saints have little going for it against the Bulldogs. Mal Michael has left and the Darnos sit bottom of the table and with a miserly percentage – having conceded on average 135 points per week. Bunyip has been as honest as the day is long and is playing with confidence and enthusiasm. The Bulldogs will consolidate a spot in the top four with a substantial victory.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:NEERIM NEERIM SOUTH v POOWONG
The Cats and the Magpies have something to prove after a series of below par efforts this season. Both have failed to go the distance with Garfield and Bunyip over the last two rounds. Fresh from the bye and fired up after coach Brett Clinnick ordered a Sunday training session two weeks ago, the visitors have enough talent and desire to bounce back in what will likely be the closest game of the round.
LANG LANG has the bye.
ROUND 6 TIPS:
NAR NAR GOON v Longwarry
CATANI v Warragul Industrials
Buln Buln v KOOWEERUP
CORA LYNN v Ellinbank
Nilma Darnum v BUNYIP
Neerim Neerim South v POOWONG
