Scott Berechree
SATURDAY’S North Gippsland football match of the round has Sale City take on the much-improved Rosedale outfit.
Both sides head into the clash full of confidence as two of only three undefeated sides after two rounds.
The Bulldogs have so far taken care of both Cowwarr and Woodside, with Rosedale having easily-accounted for Gormandale in round one and then running out an easy winner over Glengarry.
It would be fair to say both sides, will meet their sternest test of the season at Stephenson Park on Saturday.
Not that last year’s finals series counts for much in season 2019, but Rosedale won’t have fond memories of its previous clash with City. In the elimination final, Rosedale held a 26-point lead at the final change, only to go down to a rampaging Bulldogs side by eight points.
For City so far this season it has been a case of everything that’s old is new again with the likes of Jacob Schuback, Ben Chivers, Nicholas Grainger and Tom Bowman leading the way.
Rosedale, however, has had an influx of players from the higher levels who have had an immediate affect, with a mix of new and old getting the job done.
While City is always hard to roll on its own ground, the loss of Chris Kelf and Harrison Kaandorp in the off-season will allow Rosedale to dominate the middle of the ground. It could also provide enough supply to Frazar Brouns and Ben Jones to kick the Blues to a winning score.
CHURCHILL will take on the winless Heyfield at home, which has danger game written all over it for the Cougars.
It is no secret both teams extract a great deal of pleasure in knocking each other off and they have put on some memorable clashes in recent times.
Churchill is coming off a huge night clash and Heyfield would love nothing more than to rack up its first win of the season, under new coach Rick Galea, at the Cougars’ expense.
LAST year’s premier Yarram will enjoy a second home game in a row when it takes on Cowwarr.
Cowwarr will be buoyed by its massive win over Gormandale last round, however, will face a much stiffer task on Saturday.
Cowwarr’s best hope might be that Yarram has a few sore players after its physical encounter on Good Friday, while the Saints enjoyed a week to bask in the glory of their round two rout.
The Saints might well point to their 10-goal to nil second quarter last week as evidence they are a serious side, but people will be surprised if they managed anything like against the Demons.
TRARALGON-Tyers United will welcome Woodside.
The Bombers were sparked into action after a disappointing round one loss, setting up its victory over Heyfield with a six-goal to nil third term.
Woodside will have its work cut out if it is to avoid sliding to zero and three.
THE clash between Gormandale and Glengarry will provide both sides with an opportunity to chalk up their first win of the year.
While both sides have had winless starts to the season, Glengarry looks to have had the stronger losing form.
The Magpies led Heyfield at three-quarter-time in round one, while the Tigers have had the highest score of the first two rounds kicked against them in their opening pair of matches.
If ever Gormandale was going to be up for a game it was surely last round, as it farewelled favourite sons Daniel Domaille and Luke Hegarty.
Glengarry, meanwhile, has a young and enthusiastic list with a bona fide match winner in Jay Nagle to kick the ball to in the forward 50.
