FEW would have thought a month ago that Longwarry’s home-ground clash against Kooweerup would command match-of-the-day status this Saturday.
The Demons have made a late charge to play in the finals and should they win this week will give themselves a big show to snatch sixth spot on the ladder, bearing in mind there is still two rounds to go.
After the Crows desultory effort against Nar Nar Goon last week, Kooweerup must be a genuine chance.
Longwarry will welcome back ruckman Luke Tymensen and plucky wingman Danny Wells, who were both unavailable last week, but must have an injury cloud hovering over speedy wingman Brody Rundell, who did not appear after half-time last week and Matt Campbell, who left the field at three quarter time.
While the Crows’ strength is its midfield running brigade, led by Tye Holland, Matt Campbell, Brodie Rundell, Beau Ridgeway, Mark Light and Danny Wells, the Demons have a number of handy players midfielders of their own.
These include Rhys Morgan, Dan Mullen, James Alexander and Gavin Marusic that suggests they will match up well.
Coach Paul Williams played his first game for the season and made a big impact and could be the wildcard and his mere on field presence must add goals to the Demons’ output.
Riding on the back of some new-found confidence and enthusiasm over the past month, the Demons can produce a narrow victory and keep their finals dreams alive.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Bunyip v Catani
THINGS don’t get any easier this week for the battle-scarred Bunyip.
After five consecutive losses, the Bulldogs will be out to repair their reputation against Catani, but they look to have an uphill battle.
To make the Bulldogs’ task more demanding, the Blues will be hell bent to atone for their upset round-three loss to Bunyip.
Last week Catani rested star ruckman Phil Smith, who has carried a minor back complaint all season, and may opt to rest him again, but whether he plays or not should not make much difference.
With Catani in search of extra percentage and Bunyip down on form it appears this may be a one-sided contest in favour of the visitors.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Buln Buln v Nar Nar Goon
ON current form Buln Buln will be no match for Nar Nar Goon. The best the Lyrebirds can hope for is a vast improvement on their last meeting when they got thumped by 91 points.
After belting Longwarry last week, it appears Nar Nar Goon is ticking along nicely.
One big plus for the Goon was the return of youngster Josh Hodson, who last week played his first game since round five when he suffered a broken collarbone.
The small crumbing forward looks a quality player in the making and his lively presence and ability to read play makes him an integral part of the Goon’s best team.
A Lyrebird youngster making a big impression in recent weeks is Daniel Johnson who is still eligible for the thirds and is one player to keep a watch on.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Warragul Industrials v Ellinbank
AFTER last week’s exhausting tussle against Nilma-Darnum, Warragul Industrials will breathe a sigh of relief when they welcome Ellinbank.
The Dusties can’t rest on their laurels though, as they found out in round 13 when they took Neerim South a little too lightly.
The Bankers poleaxed Buln Buln last week and have played some good football over the past month and will be no pushover. The Industrials’ defence goes about their business unobtrusively, but effectively and are likely to make things difficult for Banker spearheads Toby Wallace and David Scott-Smith, who kicked 11 goals between last week.
At home the Dusties should win by a comfortable margin.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Neerim Neerim Sth v Nilma-Darnum
WITH the rounds counting down, Neerim Neerim South will be the third last team with the opportunity to stop Nilma-Darnum going through the home-and-away season undefeated.
However, based on last week’s effort when the Cats capitulated in the second half against Cora Lynn, they will be at long odds.
The Cats badly missed Cam Hinkley and Chris Redl, who were unavailable last week and will need both if they are to be competitive.
Against Warragul Industrials last week, Nilma played in stops and starts and while it won was hardly convincing and it would be no surprise if the Bombers wield the axe and bring in a few new faces. Nilma should make it 16 successive victories with a five-goal-plus win.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Cora Lynn v Nyora
CORA Lynn’s clashes with Nyora in recent seasons have been ripping contests. Unfortunately this won’t be another one. There would barely be half a dozen Nyora players who played against the Cobras 2008 premiership team.
Cora Lynn will enter the game with an eye on the upcoming finals and in stark contrast the bottom-of-the-table Saints cannot wait for the season to finish.
Star Cobra forward Ryan Donaldson injured his leg last week and must be doubtful, but the home side still has a wealth of talent to step up and kick goals and given a good day it will be on for a 100-point-plus victory.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Poowong v Lang Lang
LITTLE has separated Poowong and Lang Lang all season. Both have pushed the higher-ranked teams in patches and both have put in a number of sub-standard efforts. While Poowong has only had the one win over the past month, aside from a last quarter fade-out against Catani last week, its efforts have been full of merit.
With home-ground advantage and a better midfield, led by Matt Grant, Jarred Attenborough, Beau Anthony and Ryan Fitzgerald, the Magpies can notch their seventh win.
