Nyora star Matt Hutchinson has opened the season in good form and will be a key to the Saints’ chances against Nar Nar Goon this weekend.By Ken Moore
THIS week it is Nar Nar Goon’s turn to face the daunting prospect of meeting the redhot Nyora. In the opening two rounds it’s been difficult to spot any weaknesses in the Nyora lineup and, with the addition of tough Wonthaggi ruckrover Rory Gilliatte, its vaunted midfield has become even stronger. The Goon’s youngsters have shown plenty in the opening rounds, however this Saturday they are likely to find themselves out of their depth. It’s a home game for the Goon but Nyora should prevail by 60 pointsplus.
Fresh after a demolition job on NilmaDarnum, Catani will be pleased to have a competitive game this week when Lang Lang visits Catani Recreation Reserve. The reigning premier showed enough in round one against Nyora to suggest it would be among the top contenders again this season. Lang Lang’s form has been patchy and it is hard to see the Tiger midfield matching it against the strong Blues on ball division for four quarters. Catani to chalk up a handsome victory.
At home Kooweerup is expected to record a comfortable victory over NeerimNeerim South.
The Demons have looked sharp and fit and despite a lack of height and strength in its lineup in round two it still accounted for Lang Lang with plenty left in the tank. Kooweerup is likely to have ruckman Adam Biszko, key defender Matt Cameron, tough utility Brett Hobson and captaincoach Peter Bastinac all available for selection this week to make the Cats’ task even harder. The Cats had a real crack against Buln Buln in round two, to the point where they conceded too many free kicks with physical football that did not always endear them to the men in white. With Paul Whelan, Andrew Herd and Damian Rhind roaming around the forward line the Cats have the potential to give the Kooweerup a fright if the Demons take it easy.
Buln Buln’s match against Warragul Industrials is likely to be the closest of the round. With Mat Gooden, Brad Taylor and Michael Baker in good form, the Lyrebirds look to have a betterstructured forward line this season. Buln Buln’s defence has been unobtrusive but highly effective over the first two rounds. Warragul will be buoyed by its fighting comefrombehind victory over Poowong. The Dusties have struggled to kick goals and it is hard to see them kicking a winning score against the tight Lyrebird defence. On its home patch Buln Buln should narrowly win its third consecutive game.
Longwarry will head south to play at Poowong. The Crows would not want to take the Magpies lightly. Poowong, with the addition of Luke and Matt James, appear to be a far improved lineup this season.
Longwarry’s form is hard to fault after convincing wins over Warragul and Ellinbank and may bolster its lineup with the return of assistant coach Grant McDonald this week. At home the Magpies will provide a stern test but the Crows should leave Poowong with the four match points.
Bunyip meets Ellinbank. The Bulldogs’ powerful forwards Aaron Jones and Ryan Ablett last week found form that doesn’t bode well for the Bankers.
Bunyip has plenty of room for improvement but on exposed form has displayed enough to dispense with the spasmodic Ellinbank. The Bankers are confident they will regain key defender Nathan Bingham, forward Jason Harwood and talented midfielder Luke Bond this week and that will ensure it will not be all oneway traffic. But Bunyip should win by 30 points.
NilmaDarnum will travel to Cora Lynn. The Bombers have lost their opening two games by 120 and 267 points and, facing the Cobras on the rebound after their loss to Nyora, this game looks a mismatch. The best NilmaDarnum can hope for is a respectable showing and set itself a target to kick at least 10 goals, a figure it has not achieved in the first two rounds.
