Scott Berechree
BOOSTED by a one-point win over the previously undefeated Woodside, Sale City will on Saturday make the trek to Yarram for what will be a match crucial to both teams’ North Gippsland football finals aspirations.
With a raft of first choice players already unavailable, the loss of ruckman Dan Vardy, for at least a week or two, after a knee clash at the weekend opens the door for Sale City to grab back-to-back wins for the first time this year.
After Vardy went down early against TTU, Yarram’s ruck duties were split between David Brinker-Ritchie and regular full back Adam Parry.
The loss of Parry, who rested forward when not rucking, from his key defensive post compounds the absence of Vardy and will provide coach Justin Staley with yet another problem to add to his list come selection this week.
Bulldog mentor Shane Fyfe, himself unlikely to play because of a hamstring strain, will undoubtedly look to expose this potential weakness in his opposition’s back half. It could well be that he sends Bohdi Walker to the Bulldogs’ goal square to try and generate a miss-match on an undersized Yarram defender.
If Walker can slot an early goal or two and force Yarram to send Keifer Sutherland or Jack Weston to him, this could also stop the run and carry these two usually provide their team.
LADDER leader Heyfield will host host Rosedale, with a tight contest tipped despite the sides being separated by six spots on the ladder.
Liam Heasley has managed 20 goals across his three games, including 18 in his past two outings – not bad for a lad who still qualifies to play in the early game.
Rosedale has also channelled much of its scoring through a single focal point, with Brandon McDonald racking up 18 majors in his three games.
f some concern for the Blues, however, is the fact the nearest players on the goal kicking list have managed just three majors each.
UNDEFEATED Churchill will host Traralgon-Tyers United, whihc held on for a draw against Yarram at the weekend.
After not managing to kick more than 10 goals in any of their first few games, the Bombers looked set to rack up a huge score. They slammed home six straight majors in the opening stanza, only to stall after the break and go on to add just a further five goals for the rest of the match.
Up against a Cougar defence that has given up only seven goals a game on average, Bomber coach Jamie Aitken will need to use all his coaching acumen to come up with a plan to capitalise on any and all forward forays this week if TTU is to rack up a winning score.
YALLOURN-YALLOURN North will be looking for another percentage boost when it welcomes the win-less Cowwarr to town.
An already stacked front half was boosted by the return of both Mannon Johnston and Keenan Hughes last week, who, along with Dean MacDonald and Mitch Luck, accounted for 18 of the Bombers’ 21 goals last week. Given fair weather this week both figures might well be higher.
A win for Cowwarr seems unlikely, however with a winnable game against Glengarry to follow the Saints will need to ensure they come away with at least some positives from the match.
HAVING lost a recruit to Maffra, a game to Sale City and top spot on the ladder all in the space of a week it is fair to say the Wildcats will be up and about for their game against Gormandale.
This is good news for the Wildcat faithful, but not so for the Tigers. The positive momentum built by Gormandale during the past fortnight may come to a grinding halt, with the Wildcats highly unlikely to show the Tigers any mercy.
GLENGARRY will have the bye.
