FIVE THINGS WE LEARNT FROM THE ROUND
1. Girgarre will be no pushover after bursting the bubble of Murchison.
2. Rushworth have improved so much that some are saying they are a genuine chance to claim one of the final two spots likely to be up for grabs in the top six.
3. Tallygaroopna was very competitive against one of the competition’s powerhouse teams
4. Merrigum and Lancaster are unlikely to play finals
5. The premiership race is wide open in 2016, with as many as four teams able to lay claims to winning the flag.
GIRGARRE v RUSHWORTH
Who would have thought at the start of the year that these teams would figure in one of the matches of the round?
Internally both these teams knew there capabilities and they have disappointed with both of them claiming a big scalp among their wins this season.
The Kangaroos upstaged the more fancied Murchison last week in arguably one of its best wins for a long time while Rushworth has snagged the scalp of the reigning premier.
The Tigers have backed up with two wins against Longwood and Ardmona to sit inside the top six.
Girgarre is flying as well and they were well led by Paul Parsons, Zane Johnstone, Corey Wheeler and Dwayne Fitzpatrick while new recruits Jack Hyland and Ashley Kirchhofer have fitted in so well.
For Rushworth, Jason Hucker made a welcome return to the line-up after missing last week’s win against Longwood.
Andrew Clarke, Craig Turner, Adam Vick, Shaun Young, Adam Harrap and Darren Walker were other players to shine in the big win.
This is a massive opportunity for one of these teams to cement a place inside the top six with a win.
NAGAMBIE v MURCHISON
Murchison coach Brent Chapman would have left the clubrooms last weekend scratching his head after his team missed an opportunity to remain unbeaten.
Chapman will be reminding his players ahead of today’s big clash that they must be switched on and bring the effort or else they will come off second best.
The returning Luke Cecchin and James Milne tried hard for the Grasshoppers last weekend as did ruckman Chris Oliver, Ethan Homewood and Jack Sanderson.
Nagambie is the only team unbeaten after the opening month of the season.
Chapman will be eager to ensure the Lakers don’t have a second quarter like they did against Tallygaroopna.
The Lakers have an uncanny ability to blow teams away and they are littered with plenty of stars in their squad.
Goal-kicking has not been a problem following the departure of 2014 premiership forward Pat Rattray.
Last weekend they had nine different players kick their 18 goals which make them a very difficult team to shut down.
In the remaining two matches, Longwood face an uphill battle against a red hot Stanhope team which has kicked 54 goals in its past two matches while Undera will be aiming to keep Lancaster winless when they do battle at Undera Park.
My tips: Lancaster, Stanhope, Nagambie and Girgarre.
Last Modified on 29/04/2016 13:55