As well as his written preview this week, Yeendy caught up with Hope Hamilton and Tammy Dawson from the Romsey FNC to preview Romsey’s Pink Footy and Netball Day tomorrow, which you can watch below…
ROCKBANK v BROADFORD
The stage is set for one of the most crucial matches of the round. Broadford have yet to win a game this season while the Rams secured a thrilling victory over the Sunbury Kangaroos on Anzac Day. They enjoyed the luxury of the bye and will be refreshed ahead of this important clash.
The Roos were stunned by Rupertswood last week on the back of Barry Hall withdrawing with an injury suffered at training before the match. The Sharks came out to play and worked hard for three solid quarters before settling down to a comfortable 80 point win. Rhys Smith was a stand-out for the Roos as they watched the lead extend gradually at the end of every break. Young gun Matt Bulluss was a shining light up forward with two goals but lacked support over the ground.
This is a big game for the Rams to push themselves up the ladder. These are the matches that they need to win and given that they beat a premiership contender in their last hit-out, they will have all the self-belief to beat any team in the competition. Malcolm Lynch is a handy goal kicker but the star to watch is Leigh Sobotnicki who has been a revelation to the competition and Rockbank since his return. If the Rams win, they'll mount a serious challenge for that valuable sixth spot, if the Roos win, they will have something to build on for the season. Expect Rockbank to storm to victory in front of an adoring home crowd.
LANCEFIELD v WOODEND/HESKET
This will be a blockbuster match between two of the most promising young sides in the competition. Both suffered challenging losses last week with the Tigers toppled by a determined Pies and the Hawks by a classy Redbacks team.
Lancefield led at quarter time and watched the lead slip away in an eventual 18 point loss. Lyndon Thompson showed promise up forward with two goals while Luke Malone worked tirelessly. The Hawks started strongly against the Redbacks but the midfield couldn't get their hands on the ball and the delivery to Brendan Fevola was minimal in their eventual 90 point loss. Matt Bourke was a terrific stand-out.
These two teams have enjoyed some great battles in recent years with two similar lists.The ruck contest will be one to watch with Lancefield's Woolcock and Woodend/Hesket's Martin very mobile and talented players. The match will be won up forward with both sides looking to rely on their smaller forwards to get the job done. Lancefield may have just that little bit of extra experience to come away with the win.
Catch this game on 98.3 OKR FM or 88.1 at the ground
MELTON CENTRALS v WALLAN
The Centrals will have a lot to prove when they host the Pies. Both teams have endured mixed seasons with the Centrals providing a solid contest with most opposition teams and the Pies falling away badly to the likes of Riddell and Romsey.
Wallan's win last week over Lancefield will play a telling part in how this game unfolds. Winning form is good form and that's enough to suggest that regardless of opposition, they will come into this game with a lot of confidence. Travis Hede enjoyed his biggest game since crossing from Kilmore as they closed off the game with a solid effort in the final three terms.
Melton Centrals were strong for the first term before the experienced Burras kicked away to a 71 point win. Chris Carassellos and Kane Bulleen worked tirelessly through the middle despite strong opposition.
The trip to MacPherson Park is never a happy hunting ground for any team. The Centrals will be determined to return to the winners list with Adam Fenton to kick a bag inside the forward 50 and is one of the hardest competitors to match up in the competition. Josh Armstrong is hard to bypass at half forward and is well supported by a hard running half back line.
The Pies will look to Todd Keenan to kick more goals and hope to generate more forward presence from Sam Rexhepi. A win for Wallan will be major for the club but it's hard to see the Centrals dropping this game at home.
ROMSEY v MACEDON
The Redbacks celebrate the coveted Pink Day as they raise money and awareness for the Breast Cancer Network Sports Day. The stars on the field will run onto the field in their traditional pnik uniform to celebrate the event while the Cats will be determined to spoil the party after a week's rest.
Romsey were simply awesome last Sunday against Woodend/Hesket. The match had a finals like atmosphere with the presence of Fevola. The duel between he and Romsey skipper Steve Burlak was one to enjoy and the results reflected how strong Burlak is. Petroro and Streeter ran rings around the Hawks midfielders while Matt Davidson played well in spurts with five goals as Lobbe and Way enjoyed strong performances around him.
Macedon is fresh off the bye and a big win over Kilmore. Captain James Wright was the star of the day with five goals with his brilliant run and use of both sides of the body a treat to watch for football fans. It was a solid win and a return to form for the Cats and they'll take that confidence into this clash with Romsey.
Romsey have enjoyed playing at home with wins of more than 11 goals in their opening two clashes. This game will feature a big crowd and Macedon will turn up to play. Romsey's midfield is peaking at the right time but still lacks Cam Dawson and a fit Leigh Erwin in the backline. An injury free Romsey is just about unstoppable while the Cats will need to play at their peak to provide a contest.
Romsey have been in fine form over the opening four weeks with a win over one challenger, Diggers Rest. Expect them to run away with the contest. Although, if Ash Fleming and Al Meldrum step up and play the game of their lives, a Macedon upset isn't out of the question.
Catch this game on 100.7 Highlands FM from 1.30pm.
RUPERTSWOOD v DIGGERS REST
The Sharks are fresh off a commanding 80 point over Broadford at the Harley Hammond Reserve. Diggers Rest are fresh of a commanding 12 goal win over Melton Centrals. Both teams are soaring on the back of these impressive performances in readiness of this big clash at Salesian College.
The Sharks have enjoyed some exciting battles at home this season with narrow losses to the Sunbury Kangaroos and the Bombers and there is a great feeling around the ground that they are heading into a break out year. Their run and carry with the ball against the Roos really impressed last week and while they went through the motions a bit in the last term, they were committed to finishing the game strongly and not allowing the Roo forwards to kick consolidation goals. Leigh Brennan starred with seven goals.
The Burras took a good quarter to blast by the Centrals and then went on their merry way to securing a strong win. James Breen impressed with five goals to give himself 12 goals in this first two games as a Burra. Mark Freeth was a stand-out in the win.
This has all the makings of being a greater epic contest than the Rupertswood Riddell clash two weeks ago. These two teams are evenly balanced and capable of providing of close physical contest. The Burras are heading into some of their finest form in recent weeks with wins over Lancefield and Melton Centrals. Their midfield is starting to click well and carry the ball with outstanding pace.
Rupertswood never disappoint at home and expect them to come out with all guns blazing. Brent Swallow is a star player to watch in the midfield and he will add that bit of extra class to get Rupertswood over the line, just.
RIDDELL v SUNBURY KANGAROOS
This long awaited clash between two of the league's big heavyweights take place on Sunday at Riddell's first match at home.
The Bombers enjoyed a week off after a bruising encounter with Rupertswood two weeks ago and it was the game that they needed to see just where they were at against some of the best teams in the competition. Pat Carriss was a stand-out in the game as a establishes himself as the best ruckman in the competition. Anthony Sammut and Paul Sahlberg continue to improve each week as hard, in and under midfielders with a strong forward line to compliment their well balanced team.
The Kangaroos had the win that they wanted with a commanding performance against Kilmore last week, by more than 20 goals. Their performance after quarter time was like the Kangaroos of old as the ghosts of the loss to Rockbank on Anzac Day became a distant memory. Dylan Murphy impressed with six goals and David House enjoyed his best game as a Kangaroo with four goals in a stunning performance. Brenton Sutherland enjoyed a solid game in the ruck and has some good form as he looks to face Pat Carriss.
This is the match of the round, if not, the season to date. There is a bit of extra emotion in the air with the Kangaroos to play for a few club favourites after a horrific accident last week. Both clubs will show great respect for each other and produce a memorable game for the fans to enjoy. The Bombers will love being at home for the first time since their crushing win over Romsey in the first semi final last year. Expect this match to be won up forward with the Bombers having just that little more class. However, the Roos have the best attack in the competition with a good balance of goal kickers. If John Baker can kick a bag of five or more, then the Roos could be in for a good day. When he is firing, so are the Roos. The Bombers, just!
Catch this game live on 100.7 Highlands FM from 1.30pm.
Last Modified on 09/05/2014 16:31