EDFL round 14 preview

By Ken Moore
AFTER being smashed in the last quarter by Bunyip last week, Catani will not find things get any easier this Saturday, when it must travel to Nyora to meet the undefeated Saints.
Paul Alger’s Blues have been shown to have a tough constitution over the years but, on last week’s form and counting the hidings Nyora has been handing out to all comers, only a diehard Blues supporter would tip them to win this week. Nyora should win by 60 points.
Bunyip went a long way to convincing its doubters last week and its confidence will be skyhigh when it welcomes Cora Lynn to its home ground. With Daniel Hagen sidelined with a hamstring and likely to miss this week, the Bunyip defence is not full of big names but goes about its work effectively. Cora Lynn strength sits with its versatility having Ben Aidrie, Jeremy Duiker, Jason Hall, Cameron Haynes, Ben McKay and Justin Olsson, who can change in key positions all over the field.
In big games this season, Cora Lynn has failed against Nyora, Longwarry and Kooweerup and this unwanted record suggests Bunyip will reverse the roundone result, when the Cobras got home.
Lang Lang at home presents a danger to Buln Buln. The Lyrebirds have their eyes set on sixth spot but, if the Tigers reproduce the form that thrashed Poowong last week, they will be mighty hard to beat. Lang Lang has struggled up forward this season but, with the return of Peter Stapleton and the emergence last week of Chris McCurdy and Tony Butera to support Kurt Batt, the Tigers’ attack suddenly has a more potent look about it. With the help of the momentum gained last week, I’ll tip them to upset Buln Buln.
Ellinbank will take on Nar Nar Goon. The Bankers are starting to get their full lineup back on the park and, with a forward line that boasts Jason Harwood, Bill Harvey, Adam Weeding and Jason Hill, it will have too many viable options for the undermanned and undersized Goon defence. As admirable as the Goon’s efforts have been this season, the truth is the Goon is still half a dozen good players shy of the top teams. The Eagles should win by 30 points.
Despite home advantage Warragul Industrials will struggle against Longwarry. The Dusties could get their captaincoach Steve Pursell back this week but, having not played for well over two months, Pursell’s presence is likely to have little bearing on the result. The Crows will miss speedster Blair Weller, who has torn ankle ligaments, but Leigh McDonald, who suffered a heavy knock last week, should come up. Longwarry’s good form and work ethic shows no sign of abating. Ken Towt is to play his 100th game and Grant McDonald his 50th and the two reliable utilities can celebrate their milestones with another big win.
After being demolished by Nyora last week, Kooweerup is likely to take out its frustration out on NilmaDarnum.
The Demons badly missed Scott Morrison, Dan Crowley, Peter Doll, Glen Robinson, Chris Stanley and Josh Evans last week and its replacements just didn’t cut it. Brett Hobson who could fill a major role at both ends of the ground left to join Tooradin three weeks ago and is another player the Demons are finding hard to replace.
Doll will return from one week’s suspension but whether the other playmakers return or not the Demons will have too much depth for the Bombers.
Neerim Neerim South will host Poowong. This game has lost much of its lustre now that Poowong’s finals hopes are almost remote after its shock loss to Lang Lang. The Magpies should win however, if they enter the game deflated by last week’s setback, a Cats victory may be on the cards.