By Ken Moore
THE heat will be on Longwarry this week when it hosts Warragul Industrials.
If the Crows lose they can start making plans for next season. Longwarry got back into the winning fold last week, however it was against the lowly Ellinbank, so it is hard to pass too much judgement on last week’s effort.
Aside from a disappointing second half against Catani, the Dusties have seldom put a foot wrong this season, so Longwarry will have a very difficult task on its hands.
Every time the Dusties were challenged by Bunyip on Sunday they responded that shows they are a far superior unit to last season. Well-performed half-back Liam Visser (ill) should return to the Industrials senior line-up this week, but they will lose hard-working rebound-defender Jamie West with what looked to be a serious knee injury sustained in the closing minutes of last week’s clash against Bunyip.
For no other reason than their season is on the line and they are playing in front of their home fans, I’ll tip the Crows to dig deep and keep their slender finals hopes alive in what should be a nailbiting contest.
Lang Lang v Nar Nar Goon
LANG Lang will grapple with Nar Nar Goon and after last week’s results, this game now shapes as a crucial encounter.
If the Tigers win they will find themselves on six wins and equal with Nar Nar Goon that will put the Goon’s sixth spot on the ladder under serious jeopardy.
If Lang Lang can reproduce the form it showed at home last game when it pushed Nilma-Darnum, the Goon might have its hands full and a surprise might beckon.
The introduction of Ben Boulton into the ruck in recent weeks allowed Chris McCurdy to push forward and provide another forward option to support Luke Muirhead and Kurt Batt and suddenly the Tigers are now looking a far better structured line-up.
The Goon let their fans down badly with what was by far its worst performance of the season last round against Catani. Coach Clint Williams told his players a few home truths at the end of the match and they will be out to seek redemption.
League best-and-fairest Andrew Oldmeadow will almost certainly return to Springvale, however Matt Stocco, who missed last week, should return.
The Goon midfield was down last week, but still looks to hold the upper hand and should help it to pocket the four vital match points on offer.
Catani v Kooweerup
CATANI is likely to put Kooweerup to the sword.
The Blues looked super last week against the Goon and complacency may be its biggest enemy. The Demons were impressive last week for a half against Cora Lynn, but will not have the big bodies to match it for more than a half against the more mature and robust Blues.
Kooweerup is going down the right path and giving plenty of its under-age players from last season a game in recent weeks.
These have been led by Eric Hawkins, Ryan Wilby and John Bright to name a few, but the Demons have badly missed their two best young stars, Jack Carson and Shaun Marusic, who have both impressed with Gippsland Power over the past month.
The Demons look out of their depth at the moment and based on Catani’s form last week will do well if they can keep the end margin to less than 60 points.
Nyora v Ellinbank
WITH the loser of Nyora’s clash with Ellinbank likely to attain the ignominy of the wooden spoon, this match has turned into one of the most anticipated of the season. Both teams are winless and will not have the opportunity for redemption because they will not meet again this season which heightens the interest.
Interestingly after treating many teams with disdain over the past few years, many clubs are quietly hoping that the Bankers prevail. If Ellinbank can curb the influence of Saint playmakers Corey Wilson, Matt Hutchinson and Brad Francis, it will go along way towards victory. After getting a mugging against Nar Nar Goon in round seven, the Bankers could have thrown in the towel, but have played some gritty football since then and have managed to win two quarters against Kooweerup, two quarters against Catani before last week’s solid performance against Lang Lang.
On current form the Bankers can win the bragging rights and go a long way towards avoiding the foot of the table with a hard-fought, but narrow, victory.
Poowong v
Nilma-Darnum
POOWONG look to be up against it when it meets Nilma-Darnum. Poowong played in fits and starts, but just can’t put a whole game together.
Somehow, the Magpies contrived a victory over Neerim Neerim South last week, despite being outplayed for nigh on three quarters. Nilma has started slowly many times this season and herein lies the Magpies’ slim hopes of victory.
It is highly improbable, but statistically Poowong can still make the top six that will surely keep it interested and its mindset should be buoyed by last week’s come-from-behind victory.
Nonetheless, the Bombers have conquered all comers this season and while due for a loss it would be a brave person to bet against the ladder leaders.
Bunyip v Neerim Neerim South
BUNYIP will contend with Neerim Neerim South and this is a danger game for the Bulldogs.
Most clubs expect the rising Bulldogs to have a slump sooner or later, as is the norm when fielding a young side.
After a second-half fade-out against Cora Lynn was followed by last Sunday’s loss to the Industrials, perhaps the Bulldogs’ hard efforts over the opening two-and-a-half months are now starting to take their toll. Neerim will be seething after dropping its bundle in the last quarter against Poowong last week and will be fired up big time. Still there was a lot to like about Bunyip’s competitiveness against Warragul Industrials.
Rumours abounded that a number of Bulldogs had the flu last week and ditto Cat star Chris Urie, who was down on form against Poowong. Bunyip has improved this season and should have enough talent led by Ryan Brown, Robbie Hughes, Michael Whyte, Brent Hues and Robbie Direckx to ensure it does not lose at home.
Cora Lynn v Buln Buln
CORA Lynn is likely to show Buln Buln a clean pair of heels all afternoon. The Cobras often go into cruise control when playing the lesser sides on their home ground, but irrespective of what mood they carry onto the field, they should win convincingly.
