By Ken Moore
A MOUTH-WATERING clash looms when the seventh-placed Nar Nar Goon host the third-placed Bunyip on Saturday.
Despite their ladder positions, only four match points separate the teams, who will be seeking redemption after losses last week.
For the loser, it will be a real kick in the guts for its top two finish prospects. The Goon’s effort last week against Garfield was full of merit because it kept plugging away in a game that had all the traits of a final. And likewise, Bunyip pushed the highly touted Cora Lynn for a long time, only to concede the last three goals of the game, after it had worked itself into a position close enough to snatch the lead.
The Bulldogs suffered two big injury blows last week that will likely set it back a fair bit. Improving ruckman Marc Rotunno injured his knee last week and did not appear after half time and central defender Brent Hues, also appeared to injure his knee and both must be doubtful. Bunyip can ill afford players of their quality sidelined and their height will be hard to replace. The match should be a tight affair because Bunyip’s strength, its midfield, has the ability to match the Goon’s on ball brigade. The Goon unearthed a handy goal sneak in Joe Murphy and a tall upstart, in Jackson Payroli, last week, and both showed good nous around the big sticks and coupled with the class and experience of Luke McConnell and Chris Jones, the home team should have a tad to much firepower in attack.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:CORA LYNN v POOWONG
THE Magpies huge win over Buln Buln serves to whet the appetite for their visit to Cora Lynn. Poowong is knocking on the door of the top six, and this is their biggest test since their round six loss to Neerim Neerim South. If the Magpies are a legitimate finals aspirant, it must start beating top six teams sooner rather than later. The Cobras will enter favourites but are prone to concentration lapses, so they are no certainty. Emerging Poowong tall Connor Cunningham, hard nut ruck rover Matt Grant and forward wizard Kael Bergles can be match winners and will need to be watched closely. The Magpies will be wise to keep close tabs on Jack Allen, Anthony Giuliano and Jimmy Bradshaw, three Cobra playmakers that have the ability to cut a swathe through the visitor’s defensive lines. Familiarity with its home ground should see the Cobras prevail.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:CATANI v GARFIELD
WITH only one victory, the Blues remain a source of frustration for supporters and it is hard to see their worries easing this week when they are visited by the all conquering Stars. Garfield is right as rain at the moment and no team has been able to stop their quick play on at all costs high intensity style. Catani has badly missed star recruit Luke Tyrell (groin) over the last month, and if he does front this week he is likely to be short of match fitness. To add the Blues woes, Phil Strahan, one of their prime movers this season hurt his shoulder last week and is doubtful and Leigh Jose (knee) hobbled off against Kooweerup and is also certain to miss. The Blues do not have the depth to compete with the undefeated Stars for any great length of time.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:LANG LANG v KOOWEERUP
THE clash between swampland neighbours, the Tigers and the Demons, always stirs tremendous interest irrespective of their ladder positions. The Demons showed a bit of fortitude last week which adds a bit of spice to the clash. Aside from a round seven hiccup against the Warragul Industrials, Lang Lang has been impressive this season and will enter overwhelming favourites. The mature Tigers will push the lighter framed Demons off the ball around the packs and should have at least a six goal buffer over their local rivals come siren time.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:WARRAGUL INDUSTRIALS v ELLINBANK
THE Bankers troop up the road to meet the Dusties. If the Industrials reproduce the same form it displayed last home game when it easily dispensed with Lang Lang it should win and with plenty in reserve. Ellinbank occasionally proves to be a tricky adversary, but based on their erratic form this season they are not the type of team one can punt on with any confidence.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:BULN BULN v NEERIM NEERIM SOUTH
THE Lyrebirds didn’t cut the mustard last week and it is hard to make a strong case to advance their cause against the consistent Cats. Neerim has crushed the teams below it in recent weeks and is likely to toy with the home side.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:NYORA v NILMA DARNUM
THE Saints clash against the Bombers will rouse strong interest because the winner will go a long way towards avoiding the ignominy of being cast the wooden spoon favourites. After Nyora’s abject performance last week, the Darno’s will fancy their chances. Prior to the bye last weekend, Nilma lost by 39 points to Neerim and 15 points to Poowong and that form line looks much better than Nyora’s last outing, a 155 point drubbing to Neerim on Saturday. In Harley Lacunes, James Hammill and Michael Mooney, Brad Sinclair’s boys have the personnel to open their winning account and rise up to 14th on the ladder.
Round 10 Tips:
NAR NAR GOON v Bunyip
CORA LYNN v Poowong
Catani v GARFIELD
LANG LANG v Kooweerup
WARRAGUL INDUSTRIALS v Ellinbank
Buln Buln v NEERIM NEERIM SOUTH
Nyora v NILMA DARNUM
Longwarry Bye
