By Ken Moore
SIXTH-placed Nar Nar Goon will host third-placed Catani in this week’s match of the round.
Despite their ladder positions, only one match and one percentage point separates the two sides that suggests a thrilling, even contest.
It promises to be one of the games of the season and plenty is riding on the result for the loser will almost certainly forfeit a chance to gain a coveted double chance top-two spot this season.
Since coming into the team in round seven, the presence of Matt Noonan in front of the big sticks has freed up the Jones brothers, Brad and Chris to play elsewhere, if required, which now gives the Goon extra versatility.
Another good sign for the home side was the performance of recruit Tom Hallinan.
The former Doveton and Tooradin coach showed he was a real blue-collar worker last week and he adds vital experience to the Goon defence.
The Goon has proved hard to beat at home and the wide expanses of their ground are likely to stretch the running capacity of the Blues.
Nar Nar Goon to prevail by about 20 points.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Ellinbank v Lang Lang
Both teams put in efforts full of merit last week and while the Tigers will enter short-priced favourite, they will not get everything their own way, if the Bankers can reproduce the form that saw them stretch Catani last week.
Ellinbank has some well-performed players, led by Steven Ballingall, Josh Peterson, Neal Parke and Ash Wallace, who give it their all each week, but these chaps as a rule don’t have enough allies to trouble all but the bottom sides.
After last Saturday’s loss to Nilma-Darnum, the Tigers now find themselves two games plus a large percentage outside the top six.
The forward line, led by Kurt Batt and Luke Muirhead, will pose a big threat for the Ellinbank defence and Lang Lang should win by about 30 points.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Kooweerup v Cora Lynn
KOOWEERUP has disappointed since its round-six away-from-home win against Neerim Neerim South and on recent form will need something close to a miracle to win this week against Cora Lynn.
The quality of the Demons’ list drops off quickly at the tail-end, while the Cobras have many players putting up their hand, deserving of a senior game in their reserves, which says something about the difference between the two sides.
Despite missing Ryan Davey, Ryan Donaldson, Luke Christopher and Tim Crespin last week the Cobras still had the luxury of having regular seniors, Dan O’Hara and John Nichols run around in their undefeated reserves.
Cora Lynn has too much talent on all lines and will win comfortably.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Nilma-Darnum v Nyora
NILMA-Darnum’s home-ground clash against Nyora looks a mismatch in favour of the Bombers.
Things have certainly changed this season for these two clubs.
Over the past five seasons Nilma has been barely competitive against the Saints and will delight in giving them a bit of a touch up.
The Saints have been conceding on average more than 25 goals each week and this says something about their form this season.
Nilma’s big enemy will be its own complacency, but nevertheless should win by a significant margin.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Buln Buln v Longwarry
TWO of the more disappointing teams, the Lyrebirds and the Crows will meet at Buln Buln.
While the home side will play for credibility after a 160-point loss to Bunyip, its opponents still have an outside chance of a top-six finish, which should keep them honest and ensure they snaffle the four points on offer.
Longwarry’s first half last week against Cora Lynn was superb, but its efficiency with the ball and second efforts were poor in the second half.
The good news for Longwarry out of last week’s loss was the availability of key forward Beau Runnalls, who left the field in the second quarter in its round-eight Sunday clash against Bunyip with what looked a serious leg injury.
He was cleared of major tendon damage to his ankle, however he did look proppy last week and like many of his team-mates was down on form.
Longwarry will keep its slender final hopes alive with what should be an easy victory.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Neerim Neerim South v Poowong
NEERIM Neerim’s South’s home-ground clash against Poowong looks too close to make a confident call. The Cats try hard and every now and then put in a good effort and Poowong, after some mediocre performances, has started to show a bit over the past two weeks.
In Jarred Attenborough, Matt Grant and Ryan Fitzgerald, Poowong appear to have the better midfield, however on recent form the Magpies with Chris Redl, Jack Halligan and Chris Urie appear to have the more goalkicking power. At home, I’ll pick the Cats to record their third win by less than 12 points.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Warragul Industrials v Bunyip
ON Sunday, Western Park at Warragul will play host to the Industrials against Bunyip.
The match will pit two of the leagues biggest improvers and poses many intriguing match-ups.
The Dusties have more experience, while the Bulldogs have ample youth and enthusiasm.
Aside from Ryan Brown, Robbie Hughes, and to a lesser extent Robbie Dierickx and Andrew Hobday, the Bulldogs have little big-game experience.
Led by its Narre Warren contingent of Shane and Danny Brewster and Brett Wadleton, the Dusties should be less overwhelmed by the big occasion and should prevail in a match sure to be in the balance until the last quarter.
