By Ken Moore
ONE of the most anticipated matches of the season takes place on Sunday when Nar Nar Goon make tracks to Cora Lynn and attempts to be the first team to defang the undefeated Cobras this season.
The game will be played for the Cunningham Cup, which is held by Cora Lynn after they defeated Nar Nar Goon in round eight last season by 17 points.
It will be their only home and away meeting before a likely show-off come finals time.
A win by Cora Lynn will almost certainly, barring a huge form slump, guarantee the home side a double chance because in the second half of the season the current ladder leaders only meet two top six sides (Catani at home in round 11 and Neerim away in round 13) who are a genuine threat if the Cobras happen to have an off day.
With only the top two teams eligible for a double chance, a loss by Nar Nar Goon would put it back in the pack with Garfield and the Dusties fighting for ladder spot two.
The match will pit the Cobras, who have the most potent forward line in the competition, against the Goon defence, one of the most miserly. Cora Lynn forwards can expect slimmer pickings on Sunday because in Brett Dore, Matt Wade, Andrew Oldmeadow, Kevin Quinn and Chris Adams, the Goon have enough top midfielders to keep the Cobras on ball division under wraps.
The Goon will regain Dore and Chris Jones, after both have served a one week suspension, while Cora Lynn will likely lose the improving Nick Helsby, who injured his knee last week but will gain tough utility Jack Allen. Cora Lynn struggled to fend off Nyora last week but one thinks it was more focussed on this week’s clash. Cora Lynn have tightened their defence this season and this improved aspect of its game should help it keep retain its undefeated record.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:
Kooweerup v Longwarry
WITH the incentive to stay in touch with the top six and with three home victories, where they have played better this season, behind them, the Demons should be too accomplished for the Crows.
However, after last week when Longwarry made the improving Buln Buln work overtime, the visitors cannot be underestimated.
The Demons dilly dallied with the ball too much when going forward last week and will need to eradicate this from their game if they are to give their forwards a decent opportunity this week. In a danger game, the Demons should find a way to scrape across the line.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:
Lang Lang v Garfield
THE Tigers will saddle up against the Stars and hope to do better than their swampland neighbours Kooweerup, who got a bit of a ‘touch up’ by the league newcomers last week.
Most EDFL teams are slowly learning that while Garfield has a lot of unfamiliar names, they are a very formidable and even side across all lines.
The Tigers were tamed by Bunyip last week, which is not the type of form it wanted to bring into this game.
Lang Lang will be fired up because a loss could see them fall two games and percentage behind the six placed Neerim Neerim South, should the Cats beat Nyora. Garfield’s strong commitment to team principles, combined with better fitness, will help it over power the Tigers.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Catani v Poowong
ASIDE from an unlucky loss to Garfield, Catani has not shown enough over the last month, but has impressed far more than the Magpies.
Poowong have missed a number of key players of late, including Callum O’Hare (knee) for the season, along with Trevor Hooker and Matt Grant in more recent weeks and this has highlighted their shallow list.
The Magpies will enter the game fresh from having the bye last week, but the Blues are a hard nut to crack at home and should win but not before a few scares along the way.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Ellinbank v Bunyip
THE Bankers win over Nilma Darnum last week and Bunyip’s morale boosting victory over Lang Lang has set up an intriguing match.
Ellinbank’s form is much better than its lowly ladder position suggests and at home it is a goals better side.
The Bulldogs last week showed they are making good strides and it will be interesting if they can patch together two good performances in a row, something young sides cannot often do. Bunyip is starting to exhibit a bit of structure and balance, but is still far from full strength.
The Bankers should make it two wins on trot and put any wooden spoon thoughts at ease.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Neerim Neerim South v Nyora
THE Cats face a danger game against the Saints. Nyora did everything right except win last week against the undefeated Cora Lynn and if they bring the same attitude to Neerim, then an upset beckons.
Got a feeling the Cats at home will be too good a side to be upstaged by the Saints and will win narrowly.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Buln Buln v Warragul Industrials
THE Dusties will slip up the road to play the Lyrebirds in a vital match for both sides.
Buln Buln have been the big improvers in recent weeks and have their sights on a spot in the top six, while its opponents have mixed form.
The Lyrebirds are building a bit of momentum and with the strong incentive, a victory will keep their finals hopes alive.
It will be mighty hard to beat at home, but based on last week’s form when they struggled to account for the lowly Longwarry, it is hard not to tip the Industrials.
