By Ken Moore
BUNYIP returns home on Saturday and will shape up to Ellinbank in a danger game. If the Bankers play at a level commensurate with their ability, a win to the visitors is not without claims.
With last week’s loss to Garfield, Ellinbank was bundled out of the finals race and it will be interesting to see how it approaches the rest of the season.
It appears it will have no alternative but to try a few youngsters, because at least eight regular seniors, including captain Josh Peterson, key defender Andrew Quirk and handy Drouin recruit Brenton Lockhart are sidelined with injury.
Bunyip needs to win to sustain its push for a top six berth – and this motivation should keep it focused long enough to pocket the four points.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:NEERIM NEERIM SOUTH v WARRAGUL INDUSTRIALS
Spectators can expect a no-holds-barred contest when the in-form Cats suit up against the Dusties. This clash is the equivalent of a final.
Neerim has won eight matches in a row, has staked its claim on second position on the ladder and is not going to relinquish it without a fight. And a fight it will be in for, because the Industrials are desperate to win to retain their tenuous grasp on sixth spot.
Neerim is ticking along nicely and its classy midfield, led by Chris Urie, Leigh Sheehan, Cam Hinkley and Tyssen Morrow, is likely to pose big trouble for the Dusties. Neerim is playing with plenty of self-assurance and should space the Dusties by at least 20 points.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:GARFIELD v KOOWEERUP
The undefeated Stars will be after their 15th consecutive victory when they meet the Demons. They have performed above their wildest dreams this season and it would be a major upset if they were to be rolled.
Away from home this season Garfield’s opponents have travelled like butter on a warm day, which doesn’t engender much confidence.
Kooweerup looks to be running on empty. If it can restrict the end margin to less than 60 points, it can leave Beswick Street with heads held high.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:POOWONG v LONGWARRY
Pride will be on the line when the Magpies tangle with the Crows as the finals aspirations of both teams are finished. Longwarry is likely to be deflated after Sunday’s loss to Bunyip. In what is sure to be a close encounter, the home ground advantage should help Poowong chalk up its sixth victory.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:NILMA DARNUM v LANG LANG
The Dusties line up against the Tigers. Nilma put a smile on the faces of its supporters last week when it pushed Catani for a half, but this week’s task looks far more difficult. Lang Lang will be out for redemption after its loss to Neerim and it is unlikely to take it easy on the home side.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:NYORA v CATANI
The end of the season cannot come quickly enough for the Saints, who host the Blues this week. The Saints are in a trough at the moment and Catani should make it three wins on the trot. After kicking 16 goals in his last two outings, Blues spearhead Owen Fitzpatrick is likely to have another big day in front of the big sticks.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:BULN BULN v NAR NAR GOON
Lyrebirds against the Goon looks to be mismatch. It pits the lightweight Buln Buln against the middleweight Nar Nar Goon. The Lyrebirds are beset with poor form at the moment and will likely be touched up by the Goon, which is still eyeing a top six berth.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:
Round 15 Tips:
GARFIELD v Kooweerup
BUNYIP v Ellinbank
POOWONG v Longwarry
NEERIM NEERIM SOUTH v Warragul Industrials
Nilma Darnum v LANG LANG
Nyora v CATANI
Buln Buln v NAR NAR GOON
