By Ken Moore
CATANI’S home clash with Bunyip will headline this week’s round.
The Blues have been super impressive in their first two outings thrashing Nyora in the opening round and last Saturday comfortably accounting for Poowong while the Bulldogs showed they were also heading in the right direction with gutsy win against Kooweerup.
Powerhouse Catani ruckman Phil Smith was unavailable last week and will return to the Blues side, but on the flip side experienced Garfield recruit Sean Pickering is likely to miss due to a hamstring injury.
Hamstring problems also forced Bunyip’s star recruit Ryan Brown to withdrew last week and must be doubtful and ditto for Adam Rakip who broke his thumb in the first quarter last week.
Bunyip managed to cover their absence, but against Catani, a team with a strong defence their absence will be sorely felt.
The Bulldogs have started well in the first two rounds scoring six goals in both opening quarters before their work rate dropped off in the second and coach Steve Henwood will be keen to remedy this trait on Saturday.
The Blues should prevail by about 30 points.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Kooweerup v Longwarry
After an encouraging first-round win over Poowong, Kooweerup came back down to earth with a loss in round two to Bunyip.
The Demons’ endeavour could not be faulted last week, but they paid the price for some poor field kicking and will need to improve this facet if it’s to upset Longwarry.
The Crows started sluggishly against Nar Nar Goon last week, but to its credit knuckled down to the task and got better as the game progressed.
The Crows look short of top fitness and should improve thanks to last week’s hard match.
With the likely return of Royce and Alfie Ablett they appear to pack too much talent and should chalk up their second victory for the season.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Nyora v Cora Lynn
Nyora will pull the boots on against old foe Cora Lynn.
Both have had a few stellar battles in recent times, but this year the Saints looked hard pressed to turn the tables over the reigning premiers.
The Cobras received a huge scare last week against Neerim Neerim South, but in the end showed its class with stunning last quarter to steal victory.
Nyora has a young inexperienced team this season and its best football is probably another month or two away.
The Cobras to remain undefeated with an easy victory.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Lang Lang v Poowong
It is only round three, but Poowong will venture down the road to Lang Lang in what is now a must-win game.
If the Magpies lose they will find themselves winless and with a lot of ground to make up if they want to secure a double-chance final position that they aspired to at the start of the season.
Their task is not going to be easy if the Tigers’ double act of Kurt Batt and Luke Muirhead produce another 13 goals between them like they did last week against Nyora.
The incentive to win should see the Magpies pocket the four game points by a narrow margin.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Nar Nar Goon v Buln Buln
Nar Nar Goon has won with a bit in reserve against both Bunyip and Longwarry and on the back of that form look to be far too good for Buln Buln.
The Lyrebirds opened their winning account last week against Ellinbank, but The Goon is building an imposing home-ground record and should build upon it with a handsome victory.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Ellinbank v Warragul Industrials
The Bankers will be at home to the Dusties, but will enter the game as underdogs.
Warragul Industrials did everything right last week against Nilma-Darnum except win.
The Dusties are a vastly superior outfit to last season that will probably roll a number of the better sides before the season is over and should make it two victories this Saturday.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Nilma-Darnum v Neerim Neerim South
Nilma-Darnum may have added a few quality players to its roster, but will need to take stock after nearly dropping the points to the Dusties in round two.
Neerim gave a strong hint it was not going to be an easy beat this season with a superb effort against Cora Lynn and will fancy its chances.
The scare last week should do the Darno’s good and in front of their home supporters should make it three wins on the trot.
