Longwarry v Trafalgar
A month after football was paused, it’s back and this weekend will see the top four sides face off against each other as players gear up for footy.
Fourth placed Longwarry will take on undefeated Trafalgar, who will get another look at a club who should be contending in the finals.
The Crows haven’t been able to train together since the lockdown and are having their first run tonight before arguably the biggest game of the year, with coach Aaron Paxton hoping to get a few troops back.
Sitting at 4-3, it’s an incredibly important game for the Crows if they want to stay in touch with the top two, currently two wins off a double chance in the finals. Watch for the regulars in Kane Oldham, Jason Wells and big man Duncan Proud to have a bit influence if the Crows are able to topple Traf.
The Bloods have been nothing other than outstanding in their inaugural EDFL season and the combination and balance they’ve found has held them in good stead, Klay Butler one who has stood out for the Bloods with his work between the midfield and forward line.
They come up against a strengthened Longwarry side and the matchup between the two big rucks in Dylan Farrell and Duncan Proud could be a deciding factor in the match. Damian Mann suffered a dislocated finger last game but has used the break to recover, with David Van Schajik also recovering from his knock to take his place in the backline.
If the Poowong Ellinbank clash isn’t the game of the round, this one is and could be one that gives both sides an insight into what they may face in the finals.
Ellinbank v Poowong
Another absolute ripper. Ellinbank sit on top of the ladder undefeated, while Poowong have stumbled of late due to their long injury list. However, with three weeks off, the Magpies are looking at a big finish to the second half of the year.
Poowong will have the home ground advantage and will be confident they can defeat the top of the table Eagles. Both sides are coming off comfortable wins in round seven and will want to wrestle their way to an early lead.
Ben Wragg has booted 10 goals in his four games this season and will put pressure on the stoic Poowong backline, as will goal sneak Shaun Phelan.
Poowong are still struck down by injuries but do regain Jake Anderson. The side were hoping to see Tom Wyatt and Will Lumby return but they unfortunately look less likely to feature in 2021 now.
Jack Hazendonk is putting together another strong season for the Pies, and the midfield battle will be a terrific one, the game may be decided by who can take their chances in front of goal.
Nyora v Catani
This clash might not have ramifications for the finals but is an important one for both sides who are hungry for their second win of the season.
Catani should take some confidence into the game after their third quarter effort against Longwarry, the Blues putting seven goals on the Crows in a display that showed coach Dan Barrand just what his side is capable of on their day.
The biggest chink in the Catani armour have been their late fades, with the side often sticking fat with their opposition only to see them run away in the last term, but the Blues will be hoping the break has given them some more fresh legs.
Trent Adams has been scintillating for the side and will be on the Nyora defenders need to pay close attention to, with Michael Ralph also in good form before the lockdown break.
Nyora have continued to show glimpses of their talent but have been unable to get ahead on the scoreboard. Leaning on coach Dylan Heylen, the Saints have troubled some sides for periods of their games but have ultimately fallen short.
Another big factor for the Saints has been Jordan Anderson, featuring in the best three games in a row and putting his best foot forward for the young squad.
A flip of the coin this one but expect both sides to put everything they’ve got into it, both eyeing the opportunity to sing the song for the second time this year.
Nilma Darnum v Buln Buln
Buln Buln will be looking to continue their hot run of form when they take on the Bombers at Nilma Darnum.
An interesting clash, the Lyrebirds will be hoping to make it four on the trot after their strong victory over Yarragon, but will be without coach Michael Kreun for several weeks, going down with a knee injury against the Panthers in the first term.
Jake Herbel will also be missing for the Buln side, being held out for one more week with a hamstring complaint.
Matt Gray will go up against fellow big man Nick Carrigy in the ruck which will be an intriguing battle to who gets the upper hand not only in the ruck, but around the ground. Reece Campbell and Luke Fusinato have held their spot since the early rounds for the Lyrebirds. The Buln side had their forward line working well against Yarragon and will hope for the same result tomorrow.
Nilma Darnum have slowly worked into the year and have showed that on their day, they can cause an upset and will be buoyed by the return of Noah Ketchen to the side. Chris Larosa has been in solid form as have the Cann brothers, with Isaac Ketchen also returning to the team just before the break.
Buln will have to watch the work and pressure of Tanner Thomsen, the tough midfielder tackling anything that moves at the moment on the footy field. His pressure has allowed the Bombers to capitalise on turnovers lately.
Neerim Neerim South v Yarragon
An important game for the Cats. They missed out on potentially bridging the gap over Buln on the ladder due to the lockdown but now have an opportunity to do so against Yarragon at home.
The new ground has allowed the game style of Neerim to come to fruition and they’ll lean on the quarterback style of play from Tom Muir, who is one who helps propel the Cats forward on many occasions.
After leading the Eagles at halftime, the Cats fell away and that’s something they’ll want to rectify tomorrow, the form of Kody Wilson, Lachie Guy and forwards Tyssen Morrow and Chris Urie key in the match.
Yarragon have struggled through the year so far but are taking positives from their results despite the scoreboard. Before the break, they were a chance to hang tough with Buln, but a last quarter lapse saw them fall.
If Yarragon are to cause the upset this round, big games will be needed from Devin Pollock, Sam Van Der Zalm and the ever consistent Tom Follet.
Big Tom Dovaston up forward will be a match up the Cats will hope to nullify, Dovaston one who if given an early look could end up having a big day.
Lang Lang have the bye.