by Jim Gordon
BEULAH V JEPARIT RAINBOW
Jeparit Rainbow has a tough assignment this week taking on the Beulah Blues at Beulah. The Lakers have had a couple of good wins this season and look to have a better line up in 2012 than they had last year. Newcomers Sean Bayzand, Aaron Beer and Andrew Watson have improved each week, Justin Chilver is in fine touch and Ashley Clugston is another in very good form.
Unfortunately for the Lakers, they will come up against a Beulah side that is playing a very good brand of football with wins on the trot against Ouyen United and Hopetoun.
Down by ten points at three quarter time against Hopetoun, Beulah rallied, put their foot down and powered away to a memorable win with an emphatic six goal to one final term. Lucas Smith was best for Beulah last week, Thomas Hallam played well as did Rory and Bradley Shannon. Steph Saunders was dominant in the centre and around the ground. This week Saunders comes up against Justin Chilver in what should be one of the highlights of the game as Chilver is in great form and hasn’t been beaten so far this year.
The Jeparit Rainbow defence will need to quickly regroup, go back to basics and hopefully rebound after struggling against Hopetoun. Up forward James Phillip has proved he can kick goals if he sees enough of the ball, he just needs more support. If Chilver gets on top and Beyzand, Beer and Watson play well, it releases Ashley Clugston to spend more time in the forward line.
Last weeks bye has eased some or the pressure on the Lakers as it means that they could regain Luke Werner, Heath Clugston and Brett Jensz if they all come through training on Thursday. If that trio plays, Jeparit Rainbow will be close to full strength. Heath Clugston has only played a bit over half a game this year and his ball getting ability has been sorely missed.
One positive that came out of the Lakers’ loss to Hopetoun two weeks’ ago, was the form of the youngest player in the team, Nathan Cocks who has shown a lot of improvement this year playing mainly on the wing and at half forward.
Jeparit Rainbow’s record at Beulah is very poor; wins have been rare. The Lakers are going to have to keep the game as open as possible as their lack of strong bodied players will be evident if it is a tight contested game against the bigger and stronger bodied Beulah.
WALPEUP UNDERBOOL V HOPETOUN
In the match of the day Walpeup Underbool are at home to Hopetoun. This game promises plenty. The Roos are so far undefeated this season, they easily accounted for Ouyen United last week, but they injury concerns. Hopetoun looked to be taking all before them until they came up against the Blues last week and suffered their first loss for the season.
Hopetoun are hopeful of getting Bryce Wellington, Tom Pridgeon and Anthony Kelly back from injury for this top of the table clash, whereas the Roos will be without Wade Champion, Jeremy Rowe and Joshua Stone who injured his knee last week.
The main match up for the Roos will be who plays on Kain Robins. He is in devastating form so far this season and has dominated games the past few times that these teams have met. Hopetoun may expect Chris Lynch to do the honours on Robins, but the Roos have other options including Matt Palmer, Daniel Harris or Trav Latta. Whoever it is, they will need to put in their very best efforts to curb Robins’ influence on the result.
Chris Lynch is in very good form and restricted Troy Moncur to only two goals last week. If he does not play on Robins, it seems likely that he will line up on the dangerous Bryce Wellington.
We can expect the battle of the midfield to be a beauty with the brute strength of Anthony Baker and Luke Carr up against the class of Roo big-name recruits and key playmakers Sam MacDonald and David Piasente. These two are quick, composed and intelligent and Walpeup Underbool use their talents very well; they give them the time and space to deliver what are quite outstanding skills.
MacDonald’s haul of five goals was indicative of his domination last week and Piasente’s third quarter snap from in front of the scoreboard on the boundary line was all class. The Devils’ defence will have to be accountable to limit the Roos’ scoring with Kane Munro lurking around the gaols. It is a young defence for the Devils but they are capable, particularly with Liam Price in such scintillating form.
The injury crisis at Walpeup Underbool will no doubt help the Devils who themselves will be without Kickett and Thomas Motlop this week. Josh Charles should return for the Roos after missing the last game and his presence may be enough to get Walpeup Underbool home.
WOOMELANG LASCELLES V OUYEN UNITED
It has been quite a while since Woomelang Lascelles has got even close to an Ouyen United side, but this week they have a chance. United are not playing with a lot of confidence and are ripe for a rare loss on the Cats’ home ground.
Ouyen United are nowhere near the side they were in 2011. They may be down on personnel, but they are nevertheless also down on some of the basics of the game. The Demons need to lift their attack at the ball, they are making defensive skills and their disposal and marking need to lift. A lot of this is due to a lack of confidence and maybe if they can do well at Woomelang, they just might have enough time to turn their season around.
Likewise the Cats will be bitterly disappointed with their season so far. Injuries at the wrong time, lapses in form and four losses when at times they have been competitive with the opposition, have left Woomelang Lascelles in a similar spot to Ouyen United, but just above them on percentage.
Unfortunately for the Cats, they still have a long injury list. Tim Hanns, Rohan Coburn, Clayton Lee and Jason Krueger will all miss again as will the talented Aaron Lonergan who has a shoulder injury. Brad Hassell is another who will miss.
Woomelang Lascelles are going to need a four quarter performance if they are going to have a chance this week. Joel Donnan is playing well down back and will probably pick up Troy Moncur who was well held by Chris Lynch last week. Tony Mudge may play lockdown role on either Ryan O’Callaghan or Glenn Joyce and Mark Charleson is a chance to return.
Ouyen United will welcome back from injury, Alex Erlandson into the ruck and ball magnet John Jackson.
If this game opens up early on, it could suit Ouyen United’s young and talented speedsters. However, it the Cats can play tight and tough whilst scoring themselves, they may be able to secure their first win of the season.
Last Modified on 16/05/2012 18:02