EDFL round 10 preview

By Ken Moore
THE blockbuster has arrived. The match EDFL supporters have been salivating over for two months, between Longwarry and Nyora, takes place this Saturday.
The two unconquered sides have nine wins apiece and both will enter the game fresh from the week’s break, with few injuries and boasting miserly defensive records. Both have thrashed all comers but Nyora has regularly won by greater margins. Critics of Longwarry say it relies too heavily on key forward Glenn Browney, however the Crows still manage to kick sizeable scores. Nyora has more key position forwards, Osler, Langley and Alger, while the Crows lack tall forward goalkickers but their midfielders Campbell, Holland, Weller, Wells and Serong work deep into the 50metre arc to score goals.
Longwarry has overwhelmed its opponents with leg speed, fitness and accurate kicking to position. Nyora has overrun all comers with weight of numbers around the packs, versatility, sheer class and multiple options in attack. As often the in a big game, it is likely to be won by the team that has some of its lesser lights step up and take the opposition by surprise. Longwarry has shown good commitment to team principles and with its home ground advantage I’ll tip it to narrowly upset Nyora, who will enter the game favourite.
Any other week Kooweerup’s home clash with Cora Lynn would have taken centre stage. There is a lot riding on the match, the more so for the Demons as a loss would drop them out of the top six if Buln Buln defeats Nar Nar Goon.
The match could go either way. Kooweerup’s form has wavered from quarter to quarter in recent weeks and despite a solid midfield and attack, its defence doesn’t look to have the class to hold the strong Cora Lynn forwards line that boasts Jeremy Duiker, Jeremy Hall, Ben Aidrie, Dave Barrie and Cam Haynes. Ben McKay will return to the Cobras’ lineup this week and this should ease the bigman problems caused by the loss of Ty Esler. Cora Lynn should win by 20 points.
Catani faces a danger game against Ellinbank. The Blues should win but the Eagles have the forwards Jason Harwood, Bill Harvey and Adam Weeding to pose trouble if it can get enough of the ball midfield. This is unlikely to happen, as Catani strength is its onball division and this should see the Blues get across the line by around 25 points.
On its home patch Poowong will test Bunyip. The Bulldogs are severely depleted and there must be a big query against them. Tough midfielder Troy Holmes will return but its two big tall guns Ryan Ablett and Daniel Hagen will both miss. If Rohan Best were fit for the Magpies it would go in favourites, but Best is likely to miss another week or two with a hamstring injury. Despite Bunyip’s loss to Longwarry last week there was a lot to like about its effort as it didn’t flinch a contest and hit back well on a few times when it looked like being steamrolled. Bunyip should win narrowly.
Lang Lang will travel to NeerimNeerim South. The Cats appear to have the better forward structure, however the Tigers with Adam Baxter, Alex Sarakin, Kurt Batt and Troy Datsun all in good form in and around the middle should win the majority of crucial battles to get it across the line narrowly. Lang Lang was hard done by last round against Ellinbank and the Tigers should record its third victory.
The incentive of a topsix position should be enough incentive for Buln Buln to be focused on victory over Nar Nar Goon. The Lyrebirds will have too much maturity and now, with the presence of Matthew Gooden at full forward and recent arrival Joel Ferguson, appear to have a far more scoring power and versatility than last season.
Warragul Industrials has played in stops and starts this season but it will chalk up a convincing victory over its visitor NilmaDarnum.