By Ken Moore
POOWONG has shaken off its poor start to the season with two consecutive victories and this week faces its biggest test when it meets the 2008 premiers Cora Lynn, who will be seething after its loss to Nilma-Darnum. The Magpies have a number of top shelf players led by Matt Grant, Jarred Attenborough and Ryan Fitzgerald but the bottom part of its senior list tails off in comparison with that of the Cobras. Such is the depth at Cora Lynn, its reserves and also premiers last year are still undefeated and the likes of Lee Dowsett, Heath Airdrie and Luke Foreman, Joe Allen and Tim Crespin have all had a run in the Cobra Magoos this season. If the home side is to cause an upset its biggest threat, tall marking Magpie forward Trevor Hooker must have a field day, however he is likely to be pitted against one of Brendan Kimber, Dan O’Hara or Jason Hall and appears to have his work cut out. On the rebound Cora Lynn to win by around 25 points.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Kooweerup v
Warragul Industrials
Kooweerup will meet Warragul Industrials in the most important clash between the two sides since 2005. That season the Demons finished fourth and it was the last time they played in the finals and the Dusties narrowly missed out on finals’ football despite winning 11 home and away matches. After a few mediocre seasons both teams have their sights on sneaking a top-six berth and in current form it appears one of these two teams may have to displace the other to make it and this makes the four match points on offer doubly important. The Dusties were super impressive beating the well credentialed Nar Nar Goon last week and if it does not suffer a big letdown after the euphoria of last week’s ground breaking victory it should chalk up its fourth victory.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Nar Nar Goon v Neerim Neerim South
Nar Nar Goon will square off against Neerim Neerim South. Everything went swimmingly for the Goon in the first three rounds but after Saturday’s shock loss to Nilma, the Goon will need to put on their thinking caps. The Goon should be bolstered this week with the return of top recruit Tom Hallinan, emerging star Adam Marchant and hard at it on baller Luke Dore, which will provide more midfield drive. With narrow losses to both the Industrials and Cora Lynn before Saturday’s easy victory over Ellinbank, Neerim appear to be an improved team this season but probably not enough to press the Goon for more than a half.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Lang Lang v
Longwarry
Lang Lang get another opportunity to show it still has what it takes to mix it with the better clubs when it plays host to Longwarry. The Tigers performances over the opening month tell us it is no longer the powerful team that made a grand final appearance last season. Lang Lang has not been able to replace the departed Dale Robinson, Luke Franklin, Blake Batt, Sam Cole, Seamus Scanlon, Brad Michie and the injured Dean Brown. Longwarry’s strength, its fleet-footed midfield is Lang Lang’s weakness, which suggests a comfortable win for the Crows. Longwarry badly disappointed last week and to add to its troubles it has lost its marquee Berwick recruit and star goal kicker George Gorozides for the season after he ruptured his Achilles tendon in the opening minutes of last weeks clash against Catani. Lang Lang will regain coach Clint Evans but still looks short on quality to match it against Longwarry. The Crows are too good a side to play to successive bad games and should win comfortably but way from home could get a few scares along the way.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Catani v Buln Buln
Catani made most tipsters eat humble pie with a comprehensive victory over Longwarry on Saturday. Aside from a win over the struggling Ellinbank, its opponents this week, Buln Buln, have done little to put any fear into the Blues. Catani regularly crush the lesser lights and until the Lyrebirds show signs it has made a marked improvement it is hard to go past the home side. The Blues by 40 points plus.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Nyora v Bunyip
After three grand final appearances in four seasons and back to back premierships in 2007/8 it is now safe to say the Saints reign as a power club has come to and end. With the loss of Rory Gilliatte, Brad Miles, Nathan Osler, Corrie Wilson, Matt Hendry, Jeremy Hopkins and Fiatupu Too Too over summer, the Saints, not surprisingly, have not been competitive. Coach Jason Hill and utility Clinton Wise, who suffered a badly broken ankle last season may return to the side this week but they are badly missing key defender Andrew Collis, who broke his collarbone in the opening round. Bunyip should travel to Nyora with high hopes for the first time in many seasons and stay in touch with the top six with a convincing win.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Ellinbank v
Nilma-Darnum
Elinbank and Nilma may be only 10 kilometres apart in geographical terms but on exposed form this season the Bombers are now a miles better team. Despite home ground advantage the Bankers simply do not have the talent to stretch Nilma.
Ellinbank’s poor form this season has seen it been installed as firm wooden spoon favourites.
In contrast, Nilma rolled the reigning premiers Cora Lynn last week and many pundits think the Bombers have the talent to capture the flag this season.
If the Bankers can keep the end margin to less than 60 points they can be content with their afternoon’s work.
