By Ken Moore
CORA Lynn’s home-ground clash against Longwarry will headline round nine this Saturday.
It’s a crunch game for the Crows, as due to a poor start to the season a loss would almost certainly see the perennial finalists over recent years fall two games behind the sixth-placed team at the half-way mark of the season.
The Queen’s Birthday weekend break came at an opportune time for Longwarry, for the Abletts, Royce, Ray and Alfie are all expected to have recovered from minor injury, as well as ball magnet Tye Holland (facial burns) while wingman Danny Wells will return after serving a one-week suspension.
On the flipside, star Garfield recruit Beau Runnalls, the Crows leading goalkicker this season was carried off the field last round with what looked like a serious leg injury and must be extremely doubtful.
Over recent seasons, when the chips are down, Longwarry has dug deep, but this week’s task looks beyond it with Runnalls and marquee recruit George Gorozidis, who is gone for the season, both missing.
With the exception of Nilma-Darnum, Cora Lynn has brushed aside all comers this season and should win by around 20-25 points.
Lang Lang v Nilma-Darnum
LANG Lang’s season will be on the line against top-of-the-table and undefeated Nilma-Darnum.
The Tigers clawed their way back into finals calculations with a gutsy win over Neerim Neerim South last round, but the Bombers will be fancied to shut the door on their top-six prospects this week.
Lang Lang has one of the better forward lines in the competition with Kurt Batt, Luke Muirhead, David Williams and coach Clint Evans, who has been playing in the forward pocket.
Nevertheless on recent form, its midfielders are unlikely to provide enough feed to kick a winning score. Nilma-Darnum nipped trouble in the bud last round with three late goals to pip Catani in a bruising affair, however Lang Lang is unlikely to be close enough to pose a genuine threat.
Catani v Ellinbank
THERE was a lot to like about Catani’s last-round effort against Nilma-Darnum and with percentage likely to be very important at the end of the season, the Blues are unlikely to take their foot of the throttle and that spells trouble for the Bankers.
Ellinbank was desperately unlucky, losing after the last kick of the day in round eight to Kooweerup, but will simply not have the ammunition to compete for any length of time against Catani.
Kooweerup v Nar Nar Goon
KOOWEERUP made heavy weather of beating Ellinbank last round and its form in recent weeks does little to inspire confidence.
In contrast, Nar Nar Goon’s last-round performance against Cora Lynn, despite a loss, was still full of merit.
The Goon paid dearly for poor kicking, but otherwise did everything right.
Nar Nar Goon badly missed a crumbing forward against the Cobras and it would come as no surprise if they tinker with their line-up this week in an effort to address this deficiency in their structure.
The Goon by 60-plus points.
Nyora v Neerim Neerim South
NYORA’S season has gone from bad to worse.
The Saints finished with only 17 fit players in round eight and to add insult to injury got thumped by 183 points against this season’s big improvers Warragul Industrials.
The Saints haven’t been competitive, while its opponents this week Neerim Neerim South has also struggled at times.
The Cats have occasionally put in an impressive showing and while they are two or three quality players short of the top six teams, will have too much ability for the hapless Saints.
Poowong v Warragul Industrials
THIS is a danger game for Warragul Industrials.
The Magpies still hold hopes of making the top six and a loss would effectively put an end to their slim chances.
Poowong hasn’t clicked all season, but gave a slight hint last round it may be about to turn around its form with a convincing victory over Buln Buln.
Warragul Industrials has exceeded all predictions and reset their goals from making the finals to securing a double chance if it can hold its stellar form over the next month.
While key forwards Shane and Danny Brewster and Mick Santo often get the back slaps, the Dusties have shown they have a very under-rated defence led by skipper Matt Willis, Adam Neal and Jamie West.
On exposed form it’s difficult not to select the Industrials.
Bunyip v Buln Buln
BULN Buln sits in 11th position with only two victories, which says a lot about its current plight this season.
If Bunyip is a genuine finals’ aspirant it must knock over the lesser lights, like Buln Buln comfortably. Star Bulldog recruit Ryan Brown always looks to be carrying an injury, but still manages to make his presence felt and could be in for another big afternoon.
The Lyrebirds haven’t measured up against the better sides this season and do not have the artillery to match Bunyip.
