By Ken Moore
TWO of the most star-studded teams in the EDFL – reigning premiers Cora Lynn and the big-spending Nilma-Darnum will meet in this week’s match of the day.
The Cobras have plenty of talent with Ryan Donaldson, Luke Christopher, Luke Hughes, Brad Horazcko and James Bradshaw, all stars in last year’s grand final again going around in the teal colours.
With the return of Brendan Kimber and Jason Hall and the arrival of Cranbourne’s Ryan Davey and Narre Warren’s Jesse Edmond, Cora Lynn look equally as good, if not better than last season.
In a bonus for the Cobras, star goalkicker Darren Sheen has returned to the club after just one game with MPNFL team the Pines.
The Bombers have lured a number of key recruits, led by former AFL star Mal Michael, and the trio of Brenton Martin, Chris Aurisch and David Ivey from Sale and these chaps will not be daunted by the reputation of many Cobra players.
Nilma has lost new recruits and key defenders Steve Straughair and Rob Quirk to injury, another former Sale premiership player Phil Harris has not played since round one and must be doubtful, while his former Magpie teammate Kane Martin has a tribunal appearance and may miss through suspension.
The Bombers have had a favourable draw and until they can show they have what it takes to beat a top side, it’s hard to go past the home side that showed no complacency in thumping Nyora on Sunday.
Longwarry v Catani
LONGWARRY will be out to emulate Bunyip and push Catani another peg or two down the ladder in a match that could also vie for match-of-the-day honours.
With new recruits George Gorozidis and Beau Runnalls to support the underrated Luke Serong and veteran goalsneak Paul Williams, the Crows boast an improved forward line this season.
The Abletts – Royce and Alf – both look handy pick-ups as well.
Catani doesn’t mind softening up its opponents early and Longwarry is not the most physical side and its ability to withstand many of body-on-body contests will play a big part in the result.
On paper Catani looks a better outfit this season with the addition of Fiatupu Too Too, Luke James and Luke Nobelius, while young midfielder Phil Strahan has shown enough to suggest he is a much-improved player.
However, there must be a huge question mark over it after a very ordinary performance last week when its top-heavy line-up failed to come to terms with the extraordinary windy conditions.
The Crows appear to be running into form and their pace will worry the Blues.
The home side to win by about 20 points.
Warragul Industrials v
Nar Nar Goon
WARRAGUL Industrials is making big inroads, but looks to be up against it against Nar Nar Goon.
The Dusties, courtesy of the recruitment of a handful of former well-performed Narre Warren players led by Shane and Danny Brewster, will be competitive.
This is not understating the performance of another newcomer defender Jamie West and regulars from last season, midfielders Jason Kennedy and Nick Visser and ruckman Ben Hobgen, who have all impressed in the early rounds.
The Goon has recorded three straight largely trouble-free victories and is going along nicely and with its evenness all over the field will be at short odds to stay undefeated.
Bunyip v Lang Lang
THIS season’s big improvers, Bunyip, is set to slug it out against Lang Lang.
The Tigers have put in a number of good quarters, but have not been able to put it all together for the whole game.
If the home side can curb Tiger forwards Kurt Batt and Luke Muir-head they will go along way towards victory.
The Bulldogs appear to be on the right track and would have got a huge confidence boost by knocking over Catani on Sunday.
The Bulldogs appear to have a far superior midfield and in front of their home crowd should record their third victory.
Buln Buln v Kooweerup
BULN Buln will weigh in against Kooweerup.
Similar to last season the Lyrebirds tend to bank too heavily on too few.
After a fighting win in round one against Poowong, the Demons have come back to the field with disappointing efforts against Bunyip and Longwarry. Former Kooweerup coach Dan Crowley is expected to return to the side this week and his presence should provide the Demons with enough firepower to chalk up their second victory and keep in touch with the top six.
Neerim Neerim South v Ellinbank
NEERIM should open its winning account with victory over Ellinbank.
The Cats were expected to be easy beats this season but after stretching Cora Lynn in round two raised a few eyebrows with their competitiveness, only to let their supporters down with a poor effort last week against Nilma-Darnum. Ellinbank has shown little to be over excited about and on form the Cats should win comfortably.
Poowong v Nyora
POOWONG released the pressure valve last week with a stirring last-quarter comeback to steal victory over Lang Lang and that win could be a turning point in its season.
Nyora is no longer the star-studded team that has dominated the home-and-away season over the past four seasons and will struggle to match it with Poowong for more than a quarter or two.
