CORA Lynn – after its defeat at the hands of Nar Nar Goon prior to the mid-season break – was widely perceived to be the outright flag favourites.
Now they will enjoy the move from being the hunted to the hunter, which spells a mighty difficult time for its opponent and visitors this Saturday, Catani.
Playing a top team on the rebound is one of the least liked challenges in football. Aside from stretching Garfield in round four, the Blues have not made an impression against any other top liner, which doesn’t bode well its chances.
If on song, the Catani midfield of Russell Lehman, Antonio Benevenuto, Matt Campbell, improving Darwin recruit Maslan Braun and emerging youngster Luke Failla have the goods to give the Cobras a big scare, but if they lower their colours, it will be a long afternoon for the Blues who look inferior across all other lines. Cora Lynn were a little flat against Poowong last week, but without the threat of star Blue goalkicker Luke James, presently sidelined with two fractures in his leg, the home side should be too strong.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Buln Buln v Nar Nar Goon
THE Lyrebirds face a tall order against the Goon.
Buln Buln will need to go the extra yard this week just to be competitive if its mixed form this year is any guide.
Nar Nar Goon reached its high water mark of the season when they upset the ladder leaders Cora Lynn prior to the Queen’s Birthday break and over confidence may be its biggest danger. The Goon appeared a little flat last week against Neerim and interest will surround whether this was a temporary blip or perhaps a sign of things to come.
The Lyrebirds threw everything at Nyora last week and after their loss, it appears their slim finals hopes have now disappeared, which may dim their enthusiasm. Daniel Charles has won praise for his spirited coaching and his on field leadership at Buln Buln, but his team does not have the artillery over all the park to pose a serious threat for more than a quarter or two.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Kooweerup v Nyora
AFTER the Demons were pummelled in ‘catch up game 2’ only two weeks ago against the Saints, it is hard to make a case for them – apart from the fact they are playing on their home ground.
Kooweerup have had ample opportunities to impress and haven’t and last Sunday’s ordinary effort against the Industrials did little to inspire confidence. It has often been a case of one step forward and two back, much to the frustration of its loyal fans. Nyora is still hoping to snatch a top six spot before round 19, the last round this season and this incentive will keep it focussed and see the visitors depart with the four match points.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Lang Lang v Warragul Industrials
THE Tigers will contend with the Dusties in a super important match.
Lang Lang must win to stay in touch with the top six and the Industrials must win to keep their double chance prospects alive. Supporters have suffered a bumpy ride and hence the Tigers are hard to back with any confidence, more so that it has now lost star ruckman Ben Dwyer to injury for what could be the rest of the season.
Dwyer’s clash with star Dustie tall Ben Hobgen would have been one of the most engrossing of the season. Apart from an abysmal showing against Cora Lynn, the Industrials have shown few sides can match them when they play at their best – and their superior and heavily rotated midfield, led by Shane Brewster, Chris LaRosa, Rhett O’Hara, Jason Kennedy and Sean Lewis will run the Tiger on ball brigade off their feet.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Nilma Darnum v Garfield
WHILE in different leagues last year, a match up between the Bombers and Stars would have been an interesting battle and little would have split them.
However, this season the Bombers are barely a shell of last year’s team and on the flip side Garfield is a better side. Many league supporters thought Garfield would struggle away from home but so far the Stars have won four of their five away games, only lowering their colours to the ladder leaders Cora Lynn, which comes as no big surprise.
This record suggests the Darnum ground will not pose any great difficulties and the Stars should win with a bit in the spare tank.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Ellinbank v Longwarry
ASIDE from last week when the Bankers got poleaxed by Garfield, Ellinbank have performed far better than their win-loss record suggests (in their defence the league did take one game off them) and the Crows have largely struggled all season.
While the Bankers put in a shocker against Garfield last week, the Crows did little better against Lang Lang to suggest they can topple the home side this week.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Neerim Neerim South v Poowong
THE Cats are undefeated at home and the Magpies only victory was at home in the opening round. Neerim were very impressive last week against Nar Nar Goon and will have too much strength all over the park against an injury plagued Poowong and should win by a handsome margin.
