Claire Ablett is one of the reasons behind Bunyip’s surge in A-grade netball this season. 65707 Picture: Stewart Chambers
By Ken Moore
OLD rivals Cora Lynn and Nar Nar Goon take centre stage in a season-defining match for both clubs on Saturday and the loser’s finals prospects will take a big hit.
The game, at Cobradome, should be a humdinger. With only four home-and-away rounds to play, the business end of the season has well and truly arrived and neither side can afford to slip up.
The match is tantamount to a final and should raise plenty of interest and excitement. The razzle-dazzle is back at Nar Nar Goon after kicking an amazing 75 goals in their past three outings.
While it has beaten only lowly rated teams, the manner in which it has pushed aside its opponents has been super-impressive.
From all reports, the Goon has tinkered with its structure and it has paid dividends, while Cora Lynn has been going along steadily over the past month with little fanfare. Both clubs are armed with capable forwards, midfields and disciplined backlines.
The Goon appears to be travelling a trifle better over the past few weeks and can leave behind Cora Lynn, having retained its spot in the top six, in what is likely to be a see-sawing affair.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:BUNYIP v KOOWEERUP
Based on their respective efforts last week, this may be a contest in name only.
The Bulldogs did not put a foot out of place when they easily dispensed with Ellinbank and Kooweerup was humiliated by Garfield.
The margin of the Demons’ loss suggested they did not have a red-hot go and may have put the cue in the rack for the season. Kooweerup cannot possibly play that badly again, but there is still likely to be a big margin between the teams at the final siren – in favour of the home side.
Bunyip is keeping a close eye on second spot on the ladder and this motivation will ensure it does not slip up.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:NEERIM NEERIM SOUTH v LONGWARRY
The Crows face a tall order when they travel to Neerim to meet the in-form Cats.
Neerim has a bit of a strut about them, having won 10 games in a row and it would take an upset of mammoth proportions to stop it making it 11 on the trot.
Longwarry played like a team waiting for the season to finish last week, which does not bode well for its chances.
The physically stronger home side will wear down its younger opponents and should add a few more points to its already healthy percentage.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:NYORA v LANG LANG
The Saints will slug it out with the Tigers.
Nyora showed a bit last week and perhaps the threat of finishing bottom of the table will keep it focused over the next month.
Lang Lang’s form hasn’t reached the same stellar height it displayed prior to its round six bye. Since then, its form has declined but it still has too many guns for its neighbours, who each week rely on a core five or six players.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:BULN BULN v CATANI
The Lyrebirds will contend with the Blues.
Buln Buln came in for some punishment last week against Nar Nar Goon. Not for the first time this season, the Lyrebirds badly missed their coach Daniel Charles. His on-field leadership and drive appear to make his team a three-to-four-goal-better outfit and should he not come up this week, the visitors will earn the favourite tag.
Catani midfield linchpin Antonio Benvenuto and Luke Tyrell have returned in recent weeks and their presence should swing the result the way of the visitors in a close tussle.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:POOWONG v ELLINBANK
After a staggeringly easy victory over Longwarry last week, the Magpies can enter their clash with the Bankers brimful of confidence.
It was the first time this season Poowong has played at a level commensurate with the talent it has on paper.
Another comparable effort against Ellinbank, which showed a distinct lack of intensity last week, should see it register their seventh victory.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:NILMA DARNUM v WARRAGUL INDUSTRIALS
The Bombers were no match for Lang Lang last week and will struggle again.
Its opponents, the Dusties, are feeling a bit of heat, having lost three games over the past month, which has seen it go from being a huge double chance prospect to most likely missing the finals. The Industrials can ill afford to lose … and won’t.
ROUND 16 TIPS:
BUNYIP v Kooweerup
Cora Lynn v NAR NAR GOON
POOWONG v Ellinbank
NEERIM NEERIM SOUTH v Longwarry
Nilma Darnum v WARRAGUL INDUSTRIALS
Nyora v LANG LANG
Buln Buln v CATANI
