By RUSSELL BENNETT
ELLINBANK AND DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE
PREVIEW – ROUND 17 WEST DIVISION
BUNYIP v KOOWEERUP
ON FACE value the Demons would almost be entering this week’s clash with the Bulldogs as un-backable favourites.
They’re riding a high after their brilliant performance at home against the ladder-leading Cora Lynn and have been in superb form since their last loss – against the Cobras way back in Round 9.
But the Demons will return this week to a scene of disappointment from earlier in the year – they were outplayed by the Dogs in Bunyip in Round 3 with veteran forward Robbie Hughes snaring a crucial five-goal haul.
Ruckman Marc Rotunno was arguably best on ground for his clearance work while Adam Rakip also played a key role with three majors.
There are some key differences this week, though. The first is the biggest.
Demons first-choice ruckman Matt Cameron didn’t play in Round 3 and he was absolutely dominant on Saturday.
He’ll relish the chance to come out this week and put in another strong performance.
Paul Gramc didn’t play against the Dogs back in early April either, and the classy forward is bound to test the Bunyip defence this week.
He could be set for a big one, potentially one-out in the absence of Demons player-coach Matt Shorey.
The Demons should win again on Saturday but expect the Dogs to put up a huge fight. Kooweerup by 22.
LANG LANG v CORA LYNN
IN ARGUABLY the biggest result to date in this EDFL West season, the Tigers pipped the Cobras by 16 points at Westernport Road in Round 3 – giving them a lesson in hardfought, contested ball.
Craig McIndoe’s men took an early lead in the low-scoring slog and showed plenty of fortitude to survive a huge fourth-quarter charge from the Cobras.
But the Tigers have been ravaged by injury since then and Cora Lynn will be badly stung from their loss to the Demons on Saturday.
Expect the Cobras to come out breathing fire this week.
The Tigers will dig their heals in but it’s hard to imagine a repeat of Round 3. Cora Lynn by 32.
NAR NAR GOON v CATANI
THERE were two eyebrow-raising results in Round 3 but the Goon made sure there wouldn’t be a third – thumping Catani by 110 points at Spencer Street.
Brodie Howe, Ben Scanlon and Shannon Stocco booted 10 goals between them in a dominant performance up forward but the Goon’s defence was sensational – conceding the Blues’ entire score of just 10 points in the first half.
Losses against Kooweerup and Garfield in recent weeks have dropped the Goon further back in the pack than it would like and into the clutches of the fifth-placed Bulldogs.
It must win this week to ensure it keeps their four-point buffer and they’ll look to do it in style to keep up its 153.27 percentage – still the second best in the West.
Catani blooded yet another player on Saturday – Nic Thompson in the reserves – which stretches the number of players to have worn either a firsts or seconds Blues guernsey to near 80 for the season.
It’s a remarkable statistic that goes to show what they’ve had to do just to get teams on the park at stages.
Nar Nar Goon easily once again – by 60.
ROUND 17 TIPS
Bunyip v KOOWEERUP
Lang Lang v CORA LYNN
NAR NAR GOON v Catani
Garfield – bye
