By Ken Moore
UNDEFEATED ladder leaders Nilma Darnum that hogged the headlines over summer with its heavy recruiting and new line-up showed it was going to be a force after downing reigning premiers, Cora Lynn, in round four.
This week the Bombers face another stiff test of their improvement when they meet last season’s minor premiers Nar Nar Goon in what should be ding-dong tussle.
Nar Nar Goon will spend plenty of time midweek seeking match-ups to combat the Bombers’ multi-pronged forward line comprising Mal Michael, Kael Bergles, Brenton and Kain Martin and David Ivey, which has proved a handful for all comers this season.
The Goon will enjoy going into the game as the hunter rather than the hunted, but at home the Bombers should prevail by a narrow margin.
Bunyip v Poowong
BUNYIP’S home game against Poowong shapes as one of the most important of the round.
The Magpies were well fancied pre-season, but find themselves in a spot of bother with only two wins from five matches.
Should they lose again they will find themselves in a similar position to last season where it had to win nearly every game in the second half of the season to keep in touch with the top six.
It’s only round six, so a loss will not finish Poowong’s final chances, for it appears to be an even season and maybe 10 wins will be enough to snaffle a finals berth.
However, dropping the four points on offer will definitely shut the door on an all-important double chance.
The improving Bunyip has travelled smoothly and has done little wrong in recent weeks.
Tough utility Robbie Hughes missed last week and is expected to return to the line-up this week, along with classy forward Dean Bassed.
At home, Bunyip is a four-goal better side and in a tight game this should be enough to see it home.
Warragul Industrials v Catani
ANOTHER one of the season’s big improvers, Warragul Industrials, will be out to take another big scalp in the form of perennial finalists Catani.
The Industrials have surpassed all expectations over the opening five rounds and little seems to separate the teams.
Catani’s physical presence can upset many sides, but the Dusties, courtesy of many mature recruits, should not be daunted by this aspect of the Blues game.
Powerhouse Catani ruckman Phil Smith should give the Blues on-ball brigade first use of the ball and this should make the difference.
Catani by 15 points.
Ellinbank v Cora Lynn
CORA Lynn occupies second position with four victories and Ellinbank languishes in bottom spot with no victories, so tells us what to expect.
Ellinbank will do well if they can keep the end margin to less than 60 points.
Star Cora Lynn recruit Matt Davey rolled his ankle in the second quarter last week and Cobra officials took the precautionary step to rest him from that point onwards and may do so again this week with tough games ahead against Bunyip and Nar Nar Goon.
Neerim Neerim South v Kooweerup
NEERIM Neerim South will play host to Kooweerup.
Both teams disappointed last week and this is a danger game for the Demons.
Kooweerup has only two victories and a loss would severely jeopardise its slim top-six prospects.
Neerim coach Dean Hendrickse has a tribunal appearance and should he be outed, the odds will swing towards the visitors.
The Cats’ Chris Redl, Mick and Chris Urie and Jack Halligan all have the ability to kick multiple goals.
I’m tipping the Cats to get up in a nailbiter.
Longwarry v Nyora
ON exposed form Longwarry should be far too good for Nyora.
While the Crows were devastated by the loss of star recruit George Gorozidis in round four to a season-ending leg injury, it still has enough capable midfielders and forwards to win comfortably.
The Crows will be stung by last week’s surprise loss to Lang Lang and will come out firing.
Nyora was pleased to have 2007 premiership player Clinton Wise return from long-term injury last week, but with key defender Andrew Collis still sidelined with a broken collarbone, the Saints have an over reliance on the experienced trio Corey Wilson, Matt Hutchinson and Brad Frances for guidance.
Buln Buln v Lang Lang
LANG Lang players will take the confidence from last week’s victory over Longwarry with them when they travel to Buln Buln.
The Lyrebirds will miss Jeremy Jagoe, who sustained a broken collarbone last week.
The Tigers showed plenty of grit last week and with the likely return of Luke Muirhead, its best forward this season, they should have a bit more potency in attack this week.
The Tigers edge in experience should see it snatch the match points in a close encounter.
