Riddell v Kilmore
The Bombers head in to this game on the back of a 49 point loss to Rupertswood at home, a day where the club celebrated the life of legend Ryan Jans. The Blues played their best game of the season when they eventually slipped to the Centrals by 44 points.
The Bombers were promising in some periods of the game against the rampaging Sharks. They gave away silly free-kicks and had two players yellow carded during a 15 minute onslaught by the Sharks in the second term where they conceded six straight goals. This was the difference in the game. Matt Darby was a stand-out on his return, playing at full back before being switched to the forward line to create some spark late in the game. James Nolan was prominent but inaccurate, finishing the day with 3.4 including a costly miss late in the game.
The Blues played daring and confident football last week against the rampaging Centrals. Six players shared eight goals in the loss as they ran with the confident Centrals outfit for most of the day. Traynor, Tirkpos and Clifford were in the best as the team tried hard all day.
The Blues face the Bombers in one of their most testing games to date. Riddell lost their cool at stages of the game last week and need to unite as one strong team in order to get the job done against Kilmore. This won't be an easy game for either side. Expect the home team to come out with full confidence and the likes of Nolan and Ruffell to create plenty of headaches.
Catch this game live and exclusive on 100.7 Highlands FM from 1.30pm
Woodend/Hesket v Wallan
The Hawks are flying after their first win of the season when they took down Rockbank at Ian Cowie Reserve by 52 points. The Pies played daring and confident football in their 10 point loss to Broadford in one of the more entertaining matches of the 2015 season.
Winning form is good form and the Hawks are excited to have that winning feeling yet again. They celebrated their first win after 11 consecutive losses dating back to round 13 last year. Trent Laverie played his best game for the team while Ben Toman continued his dynamic hard hitting brand of football that make him a vital part of the line-up when he is available. The Hawks kicked six goals to two in the second term to win the contest and will use that for motivation for this game.
Sam Rexhepi was the most exciting player of the round last week when he kicked seven goals in Wallan's loss to Broadford. The Pies kicked accurately all day but their backline leaked just a few too many opportunities down the other end. Leigh Irons stamped himself as a genuine force in the competition with a best on ground performance. The star onballer put his head over the ball and lifted his team when they needed a boost.
This is a big game for both teams at Romsey Park. The Hawks won their last meeting in round 12 by six points. That was their last win prior to last week. This game can go either way. Wallan was brilliant last week while Woodend/Hesket rediscovered their winning mojo. This could be one of the most intriguing games of the weekend.
Macedon v Rockbank
The Cats took on their most challenging opponents of the season last week in the form of Diggers Rest and slipped at the final hurdle by nine points. Rockbank fell to Woodend/Hesket by 52 points at home last week in a game where they would have fancied themselves in taking the four points.
Macedon stepped up in one of the biggest matches of the round. They led at quarter and three quarter time before slipping away in the final term were they kicked just one goal and conceded four. Josh Birkett stepped up again with his brilliant dash while Jason Cooke continued his form that had him selected in the RDFNL interleague squad. Sam Kenealy made the most of his call up and impressed with a timely goal. His presence in the team highlights the great depth that the club has. The Cats congratulate Shaun Harrison with his selection in the Vic Country number two squad.
Rockbank would have been disappointed with their efforts last week, kicking just three goals in their most frustrating performance of the year. Calder was deprived of opportunities up forward while the backline was put under enormous pressure. They performed well in the second half and will use that as confidence heading into this week. Sims and Armistead were at their usual best while Hill showed great poise when in possession of the ball.
Macedon will look to use this game to make a statement to the rest of the competition. They won't get it all their own way against the Rams who won't put together back-to-back poor performances. If the game really opens up in the midfield, spectators could see an entertaining show down between two of the most dominant and entertaining forwards in the competition, with Kenny from Macedon and Calder from Rockbank. The Cats have won five games this season and were maybe 10 minutes away from making it six.
Melton Centrals v Romsey
The Centrals had to fight every step of the way to knock over Kilmore last week before recording a 44 point win. Romsey put together their most complete team performance all year against the Sunbury Kangaroos to record a 43 point victory at home over the flag favourites.
Sometimes it doesn't matter on how you get the four points, as long as you get them. That's how the Centrals went about business last week. Their 44 point win was set up in a highly entertaining third term where they kicked five goals. They recorded 30 scoring shots to 11 with a return of 13 goals. They will be looking to make the most of their opportunities and kick with great accuracy in this game. Hickman stepped up with five goals while Scott Matthews and Jared Scott gathered plenty of the ball.
The Redbacks were well led by Zak Saad who was simply sensational in the win over the Sunbury Kangaroos. He was well supported by Chris Petroro and Chris Burkett, two players who possess such remarkable speed. Coach Dean Helmers would have been pleased that 10 players shared 16 goals, a big highlight in sharing the ball around and keeping the scoreboard ticking over other options are well held. Congratulations to Zak Saad who was selected Vic Country number two squad.
Romsey have the fire power to win across every line but the Centrals are always hard to beat at home. They are coming off two solid performances, albeit a narrow loss to Diggers Rest before their win over Kilmore. They will take this sort of confidence into this game which they would need to beat the reigning premiers. MacPherson Park is a hard place for any away team to win, but Romsey will be riding high after a big win over the Kangaroos last week and use that as a bigger platform to ongoing success.
Diggers Rest v Lancefield
The Burras head into this game after a very gutsy nine point win over Macedon at the Tony Clarke Reserve, a game where they had to dig deep and toil hard against a determined opposition. Lancefield head into this contest after two weeks off, their last game was a disappointing loss at the hands of the Sunbury Kangaroos by 91 points.
Diggers Rest started slowly against the hungry Cats last week before kicking four final term goals to record a strong win. Coach Shaun Sims will draw enormous positives from the game with midfielders Pat Jackson and Jamerson Campbell kicking five of 11 goals. Luke Smailes was kept to one goal but was still influential around the ground. The return of Tom Gleeson was a big highlight as he returned to his courageous defensive best.
The Tigers come into this game on a positive note after winning the final term against the Sunbury Kangaroos. The club must take the most out of these positives and use that as confidence when they take on the top sides. This game is no different. Kent will again be the main focal point but don't rule out a return from Scott Swindells from an ankle injury. His presence improves the team by at least five goals. He is a great kick and can set them up. If he gets up for this game, don't be surprised to see him play a shut-down role on Luke Smailes.
Diggers Rest has dropped two games this season and will be desperate to add another valuable win at home in front of a big crowd. They have a good record over the Tigers in recent seasons, dating back to the first semi final win in 2010, the last final the Tigers have played. This won't be an easy game for the home team. Expect a hard physical contest.
Sunbury Kangaroos v Broadford
Sunbury will be licking their wounds after dropping their first game of the season last week to Romsey by seven goals, a game where they kicked poorly in the first half and was unable to recover. Broadford had to play at their best in order to topple the hungry Wallan outfit. They got home by 10 points.
The Sunbury Kangaroos finished their match against the Redbacks strongly but could not make inroads on the three quarter time lead. Brenton Sutherland was outstanding in the backline while Phil Kaufman was at his explosive best in the forward line, kicking two goals and making a big statement. Tom Borg showed class as the youngster continues to thrive in the Senior team.
Broadford kicked poorly in the first half against the Pies before stepping up and kicking 9.4 in the second half, more than the opposition's first half score, to record a strong win. Brent Littlewood impressed with five big goals while Svarc enjoyed his return to the team with a great performance in the ruck. There was a lot to like about their performance, their ability to fight through to the very end against good opposition, something that they've shown in every game this year.
This is the match of the round on paper. Broadford haven't had a good record against their Kangaroo counterparts but they are as better placed in this game to win than any other meeting. They are hungry, determined and have good goal kicking power. If Baker returns to the line-up, look out, Sunbury could have a big fight on their hands. This is a must watch game.
Last Modified on 12/06/2015 15:01