Conditions for mud lovers

Wintry conditions tomorrow will favour teams that like the mud.  After heavy rains last month some grounds were already suffering.

Rain is predicted throughout West Gippsland tomorrow.  Teams with fast flowing styles will be challenged with the conditions.

Gippsland League

Drouin faces a tough task to claim a third successive win to consolidate in the top “five” of Gippsland League when it takes on ladder leader Leongatha on Saturday.

The Hawks (5th) are two wins clear of 6th place Traralgon but have an inferior percentage.

Leongatha has dominated Drouin over the past decade, the Hawks having only one of their clashes during that period.

Even at home on Saturday and with plenty to play for, Drouin will be at long odds to improve its record against the Parrots that last weekend ended Wonthaggi’s previously unbeaten season in powerful fashion.

Maffra, that surprisingly has won only two matches this year, could do Drouin a big favour if it topples Traralgon.

The Eagles are only one win behind Traralgon and if they can get over the line will keep their slim finals’ hopes alive and maintain Drouin’s two game buffer in 5th place even if the Hawks go down to Leongatha.

Moe, Wonthaggi and Sale, that hold down 2nd to 4th places, are favoured to win this weekend against sides in the bottom half of the ladder.

Sale will be at Warragul where the home side will be seeking its first win of the year.

The Gulls haven’t been far off the mark in a number of games and if they can get more returns from their forwards to reward efforts further afield could pull off the round’s upset.

Bairnsdale is another of the lower sides that has had chances for more wins but failed to take them, including last Saturday when losing by just one point to Traralgon.

However, it job will be a bit tougher on Saturday against the impressive Moe.

Wonthaggi will be keen to bounce back after last week’s loss when it travels to Morwell to take on a young and improving Tigers’ line-up that prevailed against Traralgon last weekend.

EDFL

The Trafalgar-Buln Buln showdown at Trafalgar headlines this weekend’s round in the Ellinbank and District Football League.

The sides are second and third on the ladder and come off contrasting results last Saturday.

Trafalgar went down to leader Ellinbank while Buln Buln sent Neerim Neerim South sliding from fourth to seventh on the premiership table when they won their clash at Buln.

Neerim South should make amends by winning at home against Catani that is coming off a one-point win against Yarragon from a goal after the final siren.

Lang Lang will be aiming to shore up its tenuous hold on fifth place when it visits Nilma-Darnum.

On form to date Lang Lang should win but Nilma-Darnum produced its best football of the year last weekend to upset Poowong that dropped from third spot to fourth as a result.

Longwarry’s season has been a mix but it looks too strong for Yarragon that has yet to taste victory.

In the other match on Saturday undefeated Ellinbank should have far too many guns for Nyora that sits in 10th place.

Poowong has the bye.

Mid Gippsland League

A ferocious Hill End is expected to kick a very big score against the winless Stony Creek in Mid Gippsland Football on Saturday.

Impacted by injuries and poor conditions, Hill End had its first loss last weekend but remains top of the table.  On the other side, Stony Creek has been admirable, doing the best it can with what it has, but has failed to win a match.

The Hillmen have an abundance of talent and skill, complemented by a handful of forward options already rubbing their hands together at the prospect of kicking a bag full of goals.

Playing at home, expect a good side like Hill End to bounce back hard which spells a nightmare ahead for Stony Creek.

Toora is strong favourite as it travels to Thorpdale in a do or die clash for the visitors.

A fortnight ago, tipsters would have confidently selected Thorpdale as likely winner.  But Blues coach Ray Pickering would still be scratching his head at how disappointing his boys were against Newborough, conceding 18 second-half goals.

On the other hand, Toora is just four premiership points outside the top six and unlikely finals campaign.

In the other games, it will be a battle of the Tigers as Mirboo North host Foster in one of the most anticipated matches of the season.  Sitting second and third on the ladder, just percentage from top spot, it is important to be the winning team this week.

Morwell East should win against Boolarra, Tarwin will host MDU as both seek to keep finals aspirations alive, and Yinnar is expecting a win over Newborough.

West Gippsland League

Warragul Industrials produced a strong final term last Saturday giving them a four-point win over Koo Wee Rup.

Tomorrow they take on Cora Lynn at the Cobras home ground.

It’s a must win contest for the Dusties as their march to the finals begins.

Garfield travels to Tooradin for their match against Tooradin-Dalmore.

After comfortably accounting for bottom of the table Dalyston at home last week, the Stars must prevail over the Seagulls sitting just above them on percentage.

It will require consistent play and accurate kicking in conditions which will be compromised with a strong wind blowing off the bay.

Bunyip are at home to Kilcunda Bass in what should be a spirited contest.

They will both be seeking the four points after smarting from losses last week.

Nar Nar Goon, currently sitting in third spot, are at home to Dalyston. The conditions will make it even harder for Dalyston currently languishing at the bottom of the ladder.  It should be a comfortable win for The Goon, to make it their second since COVID temporarily closed the competition.

Ladder leaders Phillip Island should record a win over Korumburra Bena, while Koo Wee Rup will be pushed by their much higher placed opponents Inverloch Kongwak.