by Jim Gordon
BEULAH V HOPETOUN
Beulah and Hopetoun meet at Beulah in a game of great significance. Not only will the victor get the double chance, it will also give them an advantage should these two sides meet again in the finals. The winner will take on Walpeup Underbool, the loser will play Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers. In the unlikely case that it is a draw, the Devils will go through.
Picking the winner of this game is very difficult. Both sides have very good recent form and they both have star studded line ups with match winners on every line. The last time they met at Hopetoun, the Devils won by just seven points making it one win each for the season.
Beulah could have an advantage at the centre bounces where Steph Saunders is in very good form and gets support from Kim Hallam. This is a weakness in the Hopetoun side. Although they have good onballers, they have struggled all year without a number one tap ruckman. Quentin Willmott has done well to bear the brunt of most of the ruck work for Devils.
Ruckmen aside, it should be enthralling battle in the midfield. Luke Carr, Anthony Baker, Deek Roberts and Liam Price versus Tom Hallam, Gareth Hose and Scott Smith will make for an entertaining afternoon. Liam Price in particular is in career best form.
Both sides have strong key forwards also in very good form. Hopetoun has the talented Kane Robins and Bryce Wellington, Beulah has David King who kicked seven against Ouyen United last week and Riley Lehmann is running into form.
Beulah has some great defenders in Rory Shannon, Kim Hallam and Luke Spasic who was named one of the Blues‘ best last week. The Devils’ defence will have their work cut out against Lehmann and King. Simon Cook is capable, Scott Heath is underrated and Matt Wellington is a good fall back option.
All in all it should be a great game with an awful lot riding on it. It is time for the Devils to stand up in a big match and start their into this year’s finals action. They have promised a lot in recent years, but delivered little.
WALPEUP UNDERBOOL V OUYEN UNITED
The last time these two sides met the Demons recorded a shock win in one of their best efforts of the year. It is extremely doubtful that they can replicate that great victory so close to the finals with the Roos boasting a very strong line up with a flag winning look about it.
In good news for Walpeup Underbool, coach Jeremy Rowe is expected to return after being on the sidelines for a number of weeks. It will give Rowe a good workout before the Roos take on the winner of the Beulah versus Hopetoun game in the second semi next week. Travis Latta is another who is a strong chance to play on the weekend after a lengthy break. Both are capable of playing at either end of the field and together they give the Roos added depth to an already strong line up.
When Ouyen United defeated Walpeup Underbool last time they met, John Jackson and Troy Moncur were dominant. Both had very good games last week against Beulah and the Walpeup Underbool midfield will have to keep a close eye on both of these players to curb their influence.
But this is where the Roos themselves shine. Their midfield is a class act on its own: Sam McDonald, David Piasente, Joshua Stone … the list goes on.
These contests between United and the Roos are always passionate meetings and this week should be no different with the Roos keen to take some momentum into the finals and Ouyen United keen to finish their season on a high. It would be the upset of the season if the Roos do not win this time.
WOOMELANG LASCELLES V SEA LAKE NANDALY TIGERS
Near neighbours Woomelang Lascelles and Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers had some great tussles last year with both sides recording wins. This year the Tigers have comfortably won both times they have played and this match should follow the recent trend.
It may not be all one way though as in the latter part of season the Cats have been competitive against some very good opposition in Walpeup Underbool and Beulah who only defeated Woomelang Lascelles by 13 points.
Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers have suffered a horror run with injuries lately. As if it wasn’t bad enough losing gun goal kicker and coach Jarrod Arentz, Col Durie is in doubt with a shoulder injury and Nathan Wight has knee trouble.
Tiger defenders James Summerhayes and Steve Lyons were named the two best for Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers last week in their loss to ladder leader Walpeup Underbool. They also have ruckmen Luke Martin and onballer Lance Brown playing well.
Even though they are playing away from home, the Tigers should be too good for the Cats and will be looking to consolidate their spot in the finals. They will come up against the loser of the Hopetoun versus Beulah game next week.
Last Modified on 22/08/2012 17:11