By Ken Moore
BUNYIP faces its biggest test of the season when it travels to Cora Lynn to meet the reigning premiers.
There is no question the Bulldogs are a far superior side this season and how much better should be revealed this Saturday.
Under astute coach Steve Henwood, Bunyip has shown good commitment to team principles and on current form this game is likely to go down to the wire.
The Cobras will regain goalsneak Anthony Guiliano and emerging youngster Luke Foreman, but have injury concerns over Ryan Donaldson, Ryan Davey, Shane Dwyer and Luke Christopher and from all reports all may be doubtful.
Bunyip youngster Jack O’Neil was best-on-ground in the reserves last week and put his name up for senior selection, but suffered a broken leg in the closing minutes and his season may now be over.
Cora Lynn’s home-ground advantage in tandem with its big-game experience should see it get the four match points on offer by a narrow margin.
Kooweerup v Nilma-Darnum
KOOWEERUP faces an ominous task this week when it hosts Nilma-Darnum.
The Demons showed grit last week to roll Neerim away from home, but look to be up against it this week.
The Darno’s are the only undefeated team, have done little wrong this season and showed it’s a powerful unit with a convincing victory over the previously well-performed Nar Nar Goon.
Nilma also have a trump card in Phil Harris, a star midfield-forward at Sale last season to come back into the side.
The Demons are an honest side with defender Craig Dyker, ruckman Matt Cameron and midfielders Rhys Morgan, Jason Williams and Dan Mullin guaranteed to provide a contest, but on current form the Bombers have a star on every line and look hard to toss.
Whilst the Nilma forwards and midfielders steal the limelight, it’s victories have been underpinned by strong defence from new recruits Shane Morgan, Rob Quirk and Steve Straughair, who go about their task without any fanfare.
Poowong v Longwarry
POOWONG faces a crunch game against Longwarry.
Now two games and a big percentage below sixth position, the Magpies’ season will be on the line and it’s hard to see it turning its fortunes around if it loses.
Longwarry bounced back with a vengeance last week, crushing Nyora, but the Saints are struggling and it’s hard to gauge whether the Crows are now on the road to recovery after what has been an indifferent start to the season.
Despite last week’s loss to Bunyip, the Magpie midfielders won plenty of possessions and emerging ruckman Conor Cunningham and key forward Trevor Hooker played their best game of the season which is a promising sign.
Longwarry has lost important games this season against Catani and Lang Lang, so I have a hunch Poowong will lift and keep its season alive.
Catani v Neerim Neerim South
CATANI displayed its best form of the season last week and poleaxed the Industrials and if it can keep that momentum going it’s going to be mighty hard to topple.
Neerim’s effort so far this season has been mediocre and has done little to inspire confidence.
The Cats will devote the game to the memory of club stalwart Bill Cumming, who passed away last Saturday while carrying out his trainer duties, and this will give them plenty of inner strength, but it will still be at prohibitive odds to upset the mighty Blues.
Catani appears to be getting its best team on the field and with Shane McFarlane, Daniel Strahan, Ben Nobelius, Cam Miller, Jason Nibbs and assistant coach Josh Tymensen all running around in the reserves, it has plenty of depth to draw upon if needed.
Lang Lang v Warragul Industrials
LANG Lang must beat Warragul Industrials to stay in contention with the top six, while its opponents this week, Warragul Industrials will be out to ensure last week’s loss to Catani does not precipitate a slide down the ladder.
The Tigers appear to be regaining both form and confidence with a win over Longwarry in round five, followed by a hard-fought away victory over Buln Buln last week.
The Industrials’ effort last week was by far its most disappointing this season and there will be plenty of interest in how they respond.
At home the Tigers should be able to find enough to win in a cliffhanger.
Nar Nar Goon v Ellinbank
THE Goon will be looking to redeem itself after last week’s below-par effort against Nilma-Darnum with a percentage boosting victory over Ellinbank.
It’s hard to imagine it not being a one-sided contest in favour of the home team.
The Bankers don’t have the forward ammunition to trouble any teams, which is vindicated by their miserly average of 44 points per game this season.
Nar Nar Goon will be monitoring the fitness of defender Scott Haughton, who left the field last week with what looked to be a serious leg injury and may miss a number of weeks.
After last week, the Goon has some spadework to do to match it against the top sides, but will cruise to victory this week.
Nyora v Buln Buln
NYORA’S home-ground clash against Buln Buln will stir great interest for all the wrong reasons.
The Saints have been a powerhouse of the 2000s while the Lyrebirds were the league trendsetters back in the 1990s.
Now both are going through hard times, occupying 12th and 13th positions respectively.
If Nyora lose, it will face a likely match-off against Ellinbank in round 11 to avoid the wooden spoon that will guarantee a spirited contest.
The Lyrebirds showed the better form last Saturday and should open up a two-game break over the Saints with a hard-fought victory.
