By Ken Moore
NAR Nar Goon can expect a bit of hurry up from their visitors, Neerim Neerim South, on Saturday.
The Cats are itching to beat a top side to reinforce their improvement and also need a victory to hold onto their spot in the top six.
Neerim failed their last big test when they barely fired a shot against Garfield in round six and will be out to prove they are a side to be reckoned with this season.
The Goon is coming off a morale-boosting win over Cora Lynn before last week’s break, but cannot rest on its laurels because the Cats will enter the game after thrashing Nyora, said by many judges to be good enough to make the top six.
For mine, Nar Nar Goon is the real deal in 2010 and an upset loss is unlikely.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Longwarry v Lang Lang
The Crows will tangle with the Tigers.
Longwarry will fancy its chances as Lang Lang has mixed its form and has struggled away from home.
To add to its woes star ruckman Ben Dwyer sustained a broken jaw last round and his season is likely over and with it the Tigers finals chances.
Longwarry can derive confidence from its last home-ground effort when it pushed Buln Buln to the limit.
Expect the Crows to go close, but the Tigers are likely to bring back Aaron Creasey, Bodie Brown, Daniel Barwick and Rhys Nisbet into the side and their presence will see it snatch the four match points on offer.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Garfield v Ellinbank
The Stars face a difficult game against the Bankers.
Ellinbank is mounting a fair bit of momentum and its Warragul recruits led by coach Ross Glover, talls David Scott Smith and Daniel Golding and talented forward Josh Helliwell are all starting to make an impact which spells danger for the home side.
One strong feature of Garfield’s game this season is the performance of newcomer and Darwin recruit Lee Bee-Hugo, along with the rise in youngsters Matt Hobbs, Saxon Watson, Dean Fitzgerald and Dylan Collis, who have all taken their game to a new level in the seniors this year.
The pressure Garfield will exert on the Ellinbank midfielders will wear down the visitors as the game unfolds.
The Stars will preserve their undefeated record at home.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Bunyip v Nilma Darnum
The Bulldogs will sweat it out against the Bombers.
There will be plenty of feeling in this match as both teams desperately need the win to ease wooden-spoon fears.
Nilma tend to bank heavily on the same players, coach David Ivey, Harley Lacunes, Chris Weller, Darren Arrezolo and Michael Mooney each week.
A few others must step up if they are going to win a handful of games this season.
With a number of Bunyip players sidelined with injury, last week’s rest should help a few recover and at home the Bulldogs can snaffle their third victory.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Nyora v Buln Buln
The Saints honed up for their clash against the Lyrebirds by thrashing Kooweerup last Saturday in catch-up match number-two.
This is an engaging tussle for the loser can kiss its finals hopes good bye. Nyora is a five goal better side at home and this big advantage should see it prevail and keep its slim top-six chances alive.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Poowong v Cora Lynn
The Cobras should make short work of the Magpies.
Cora Lynn’s forwards have dined out on far better defences than Poowong’s and riled by their loss last round to Nar Nar Goon, the Cobras are unlikely to be complacent.
The home side will do well if they keep the end margin to less than 60 points.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Warragul Industrials v Kooweerup
The Dusties have solid claims to beat the Demons on Sunday.
Last round the Industrials crushed Buln Buln and Kooweerup were terrible against Nyora .
Too often the Demons play without any spirit, especially when the opposition get a jump on them.
The Dusties are still in the hunt for a top-two finish and are looking to boost their percentage and should win handsomely.
