By Ken Moore
DROUIN will enter its home clash with longtime rival Garfield as the underdog after the Stars slaughtered Leongatha by 114 points last week and the Hawks disappointed badly with a 166point caning by Sale. Drouin struggled to find the ball last week and when it did it lacked cohesion going forward. Since scoring 18 goals in round one, the Hawks have struggled to kick big bags and will be looking to Brent Mounsey. Mounsey appears to be struggling with a niggling leg injury.
Drouin moved the talented Jordan Edwards forward last week to correct the lack of forward potency but it was like robbing Peter to pay Paul as his presence up forward denied Drouin its best defender. Too much has been left to too few in recent weeks. To compound Drouin’s problems, Highett recruit Shayne Mooney and Kent Edwards are doubtful, however, talented midfielder David Olsen is likely to return.
Garfield may be a little more competitive than many pundits think. Mal McKenna has been its key forward in recent seasons and with little support but in the opening weeks it appears both Beau Runnalls and Brett Reid are improved footballers that may partly remedy its scoring issues. Last week there was plenty to like about Garfield with youngsters Nick Rogers, Jim Bow, Tom Marsh and Zeke Hower all showing plenty. Another youngster Dean Richer also staked a claim for senior selection this week with a fivegoal bestonfield effort in the reserves. League best and fairest Andy Soumilas missed last week, troubled by his offseason ankle injury, but is a strong chance to return this week. Ben Soumilas looks to have again fostered a strong sense of togetherness among his charges and with Drouin’s confidence looking shaky I’ll tip the Stars to win handsomely.
Coming off a loss, Warragul could not have drawn a harder team to play than Sale. The Gulls’ progress was shattered last week after it got a public flogging by Maffra and it will have to travel down the Princes Highway again this week when it plays at Sale. Many punters have already suggested that Warragul’s early form, with three consecutive victories, was a flash in the pan and that it would quickly come back to the field. Such is Sale’s embarrassment of riches, Drouin was able to keep many of its key forwards relatively quiet last week only for Jason Schuback, with 10 goals and Nick Fowler with five to bob up. It’s hard to imagine how Warragul will stop the influence of these two dynamos. Last week, Warragul badly missed South Fremantle recruit Leigh Sheehan, who was sidelined with a grade one medial ligament tear that is likely to keep him out of action for another two weeks but the good news is Rob Murphy should return. On form Sale should win comfortably.
Moe will host Maffra. Moe’s hopes were dented after losses in rounds one and two but it has shown character to bounce back well and after last week’s bye. It will be a good challenge for both and I’ll tip the Eagles to narrowly prevail.
After two consecutive losses Traralgon will be pleased that its opponent this week will be the bottom side Leongatha. The Parrots played with little spirit last week and the best Leongatha can hope for is to put in a respectable showing in front of home supporters.
Morwell has the bye.
Ken’s tips: Leongatha v TRARALGON, Drouin v GARFIELD, SALE v Warragul, Moe v MAFFRA.
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