By RUSSELL BENNETT
ELLINBANK AND DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE
PREVIEW – ROUND 16 WEST DIVISION
KOOWEERUP v CORA LYNN
EVEN the most casual of EDFL West fans would be well served by heading down to Denhams Road this Saturday for what could well be an instant classic between the Demons and the Cobras.
Kooweerup has been in awesome touch since it last played the Cobras in Round 9, but they were soundly beaten on that occasion – a clash they’d clearly had earmarked in the fixture for weeks.
There’s no doubt the Demons have been measuring themselves up against Travis Marsham’s benchmark side all season and Saturday will be a real test – a precursor to a potential blockbuster final, or even grand-final stoush.
While the Cobras eventually made a 43-point win out of their matchup with Bunyip on Saturday, they far from had it all their own way.
Over the course of the season Cora Lynn has been the runaway standout side, but if they’re to come unstuck, it could well be this weekend against a pumped up Demons outfit hell-bent on validating their premiership contender status. Now this is likely to come back and bite us on the backside… but Kooweerup will win at home in an upset by four points – ergo celebrating its sponsors and life members’ day.
BUNYIP v CATANI
THE Blues showed plenty of fighting spirit in their loss at home to Lang Lang on Saturday, but so did Bunyip against Cora Lynn.
With the Dogs now two wins and a fair whack of percentage outside a top-four spot, this week’s result is absolutely crucial if they’re to keep their finals’ hopes alive.
Though the weather forecast for this weekend isn’t predicting much rain, Bunyip’s ground is sure to still be a heavy track and – if anything – that should play into the Blues’ hands.
But the Dogs have too much top-end talent and capable match-winners, and simply too much on the line to let this one slip. Bunyip by 20 points.
LANG LANG v GARFIELD
SLOWLY but surely the Tigers are starting to be able to field what resembles their best side, with spearhead Kurt Batt booting three goals in his return on Saturday and a number of other possible inclusions this week. But Garfield – along with Kooweerup and Cora Lynn – is arguably the competition’s form side of recent rounds and they too are expecting to be strengthened in the lead-in to the finals. Too many of their prime movers were in ominous form against the Goon, with an even spread of goal-kickers spreading the load up forward and Ned Marsh giving the midfield yet another boost of class. We can’t tip against the Stars in this one – Garfield by five goals.
ROUND 16 TIPS
KOOWEERUP v Cora Lynn
BUNYIP v Catani
Lang Lang v GARFIELD
Nar Nar Goon – bye
