By RUSSELL BENNETT
ELLINBANK AND DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE
PREVIEW – ROUND 18 WEST DIVISION
CORA LYNN v NAR NAR GOON
THIS is the third and final home-and-away season battle between two western powerhouses, and it’s the latest chapter in a strong rivalry.
But this Saturday’s game carries plenty of intrigue for just how the Cobras will approach the contest – they’re now three games clear on top of the ladder with a booming percentage of 187.37 with just three games to play.
They’re locked in to a double-chance and the game won’t affect their ladder position but for Travis Marsham’s men, that makes it a real test.
“We’ve already had two close games this season,” he said.
“For us this is about looking at our opponents and thinking how it will affect us later in the season.
“We’ve already stitched up the double chance and this game won’t impact the ladder but this is about making sure the effort is still there.”
The Cobras won the corresponding game at home against the Goon in Round 4 – Anzac Day – in absolute thriller by just two points.
They then took the chocolates by 15 in Round 11 at Spencer Street – holding off a late charge by Scott Goldsworthy’s side.
The Cobras were missing a number of key players on Saturday against Lang Lang and there’ll be huge interest in whether the likes of White, Horaczko and Muratore are brought back in this week.
We’re going for the upset. With the Goon still trying to keep the Stars and Bulldogs at bay, they have a little more on the line. Nar Nar Goon by a goal.
CATANI v GARFIELD
RYAN Hendy’s side, fresh off the bye, will want to hit the ground running this week at Taplins Road against Catani and put in a percentage-boosting performance to potentially vault back over the Goon into third spot on the ladder.
The Stars, along with the Goon and the Demons, are the only three sides in the West with four games still to play in the final four weeks.
But with a big Round 19 clash against the Cobras awaiting them next week, it will be interesting to see who lines up for the Stars this Saturday.
Regardless, a strong vein of form over recent weeks should continue – resulting in another big win. Garfield by 45.
KOOWEERUP v LANG LANG
THE Demons aren’t yet locked into their current second spot on the ladder but a win this week over the Tigers could do the trick.
Buoyed by a convincing win over the Dogs in Round 17, Koowee will enter this week’s game with a clear aim in mind – to win and do it convincingly.
But in what should once again be heavy conditions at Denhams Road, the strong-bodied Tigers aren’t without a chance.
That said, their injury list – plus the unavailability of Kurt Batt and Leigh Cave through suspension – will make it a mighty tough ask. Expect the Demons to record another comfortable win – by 40.
ROUND 18 TIPS
Cora Lynn v NAR NAR GOON
Catani v GARFIELD
KOOWEERUP v Lang Lang
Bunyip – bye
