By Ken Moore
FINALS aspirant Longwarry wheels down the road to meet the undefeated Garfield this week.
The Crows face a daunting task and it is fair to say they will go into the game big outsiders. The good news for Longwarry is it emerged from a mini form slump last week when it hammered Kooweerup, which has rekindled plenty of interest in this contest and has resurrected its aim of making the top six.
The large expanses and superb surface of the Garfield ground, the best in the league, should also suit the Crows and let its fleet-footed runners strut their stuff.
Longwarry also possesses a few goal-kicking options – Luke Serong, Luke Bond and Adam Pavlovic with support from the Holland brothers – which gives them a bit of ammunition that many other teams lack, so their chances cannot be completely dismissed.
Last week the Dusties took plenty of risks in an attempt to keep the ball moving quickly – and it often surprised the Stars. The Crows are well advised to go into the game with a similar game plan. After a scare last week Garfield is unlikely to take Longwarry lightly and should chalk up a comfortable win.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Bunyip v Warragul Industrials
The Bulldogs home-ground clash against the Dusties is a fascinating contest.
Bunyip has taken its supporters on a roller coaster ride over the past month. It showed its best against Nar Nar Goon but that win mixed with a loss to Buln Buln and a draw against another lowly team, Catani.
Last week it lost to Lang Lang. The Industrials may have lost to Garfield on Saturday but lost no admirers. The Bulldogs appear to be tapering off while the Dusties look in good order and should consolidate their spot in the top six with a victory.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Kooweerup v Ellinbank
The Demons will be out to redeem itself after a deplorable effort against Longwarry when they host the Bankers. While Ellinbank has mixed form this season, fresh from the bye and still with a chance to snaffle sixth spot on the ladder, it should have the incentive and ability to carry out the job without too many hassles.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Poowong v Lang Lang
The Magpies will be keyed up when hosting the Tigers. Poowong has not shown that it is capable of beating a team above it on the ladder and must win to preserve its final prospects.
Lang Lang emerged from a 100-point thrashing by Garfield with a character-building win over Bunyip last week.
Poowong is likely to enter the game without the versatile Glenn Attenborough, who has glandular fever, which will not help its chances. Until the Magpies can show they can guts out a win against a top side it is hard to go past the Tigers.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Neerim Neerim South v Catani
The Cats have snuck under the radar and moved up to third on the ladder, and will take on the Blues. After Catani showed a fair amount of improvement against Poowong, Neerim, despite a morale-boosting win over Nar Nar Goon, cannot rest on its laurels.
The Cats always looked like a team that can match it with the best and are now starting to deliver. The Blues have a good midfield but the Cats have the midfield personnel to match them. In all the other areas Neerim is superior and should keep its top two chances alive with a comfortable victory.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Nilma Darnum v Nar Nar Goon
After a tough month Nar Nar Goon should get some respite when it travels to Nilma Darnum. The Bombers were no more than practice fodder last week. The Goon was a tad unlucky to lose to Neerim and should record a percentage-boosting victory.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Nyora v Cora Lynn
Nyora faces a tall order against Cora Lynn. The Cobras showed no mercy in thrashing struggling Nilma Darnum last week and the Saints are not doing much better than Nyora at present. The best the home side can hope for is a respectable showing.
ROUND 13 TIPS:
GARFIELD v Longwarry
Kooweerup v ELLINBANK
Bunyip v WARRAGUL INDUSTRIALS
Poowong v LANG LANG
NEERIM NEERIM SOUTH v Catani
Nilma Darnum v NAR NAR GOON
Nyora v CORA LYNN
Buln Buln Bye
