Birds to battle in big clash

Hepburn v Skipton

MATCH of the Round in the Central Highlands Football League with Hepburn hosting the Emus in what is expected to be spirited hit out.

Still no Mitch Banner as he recovers from injury for the home side with the Burra looking to reclaim the fortress of the Laurie Sullivan Oval after being defeated there last time out.

The side that beat them there was Gordon, and in convincing fashion Skipton halted their progress last weekend with a comprehensive 40-point victory.

A potent midfield and forward line capable of kicking big scores, Skipton have everything in their arsenal to be a real contender for a premiership this season.

They proved it last week but can they back it up as consistency has been what has cost them a meteoric rise up the ladder over the last couple of seasons.

Prediction: Hepburn in a flip of the coin.

 

Daylesford v Ballan

Dare to dream Blues fans, back-to-back victories and now a match-up against the Bulldogs who were upstaged by an undermanned Creswick outfit might mean three on the trot for one of the competition’s cellar dwellers.

Daylesford best and worst football has been too far in-between as now finals footy has looked to have gone past them for yet another season. However, on paper they match up as slight favourites this one and will be hungry to showcase what the Bulldogs brand is really all about this weekend.

Prediction: Daylesford in a tight one.

 

Dunnstown v Creswick

Well done to the Wickers with an upset victory a highlight of a season full of mediocrity. They travel to take on the second placed Towners this weekend who will be expecting to add another big

percentage boosting win, like last weekend’s effort over the bottom placed Carngham-Linton, as the race for the top four places heats up.

Prediction: Dunnstown by a staggering margin.

 

Learmonth v Carngham-Linton

The Lakies moved back inside the competition’s top eight with a narrow 17-point victory over fellow finals hopefuls Bungaree on the weekend.

Experienced midfielder Brenton Powell was the star with Monty Judd bagging three goals in the come from behind victory.

Last week it was the same old story for the struggling Saints who were once again obliterated on the scoreboard with yet again last year’s Best and Fairest winner, Kynan Raven, the only standout in a heavy defeat.

Prediction: Learmonth comfortably.

 

Waubra v Bungaree

With both sides banging on the door for finals football this one has all the makings of an instant classic.

The Demons’ superior percentage will see them remain inside the competition’s top eight regardless of a win or loss here, but the Roos have the opportunity to level it up on points if they are victorious.

Waubra have the four bottom placed sides in their next month of football, with coach Matty James prepared to throw everything at the Demons this weekend as they continue to make a charge up the ladder despite a mass exodus in the off season.

Prediction: Waubra by under a goal.

 

Newlyn v Beaufort

Only two wins so far this season, the Cats would have question marks surrounding the future of Chris Banwell as pressure continues to build on the young coach.

A match-up against a young Crows outfit could see this as the perfect opportunity to bounce back and flex a muscle before starting what needs to be a massive post-September rebuild.

Prediction: Newlyn in an upset.

 

Buninyong v Springbank

That’s more like it Bombers! A huge upset victory from Buninyong over Rokewood-Corindhap has opened the door for a late charge to what looked an impossible finals berth a week ago.

Tyrone Ross was the best for the home side last week and Caius Barrenger got his best return of the season with four goals.

They take the only undefeated side in the competition in Springbank who will still be strong favourites in this once with their spearhead Stephen Staunton starring with 19 goals in the past two weeks.

Sprinkle in the good form of the Maher brothers and Pat Glanford in defence and the Tigers have all the pieces of the puzzle to win a premiership in season 2022.

Prediction: Springbank by 24 points.

 

Gordon v Rokewood-Corindhap

Upsets to both these premiership hopefuls shocked pundits last weekend and the Eagles and Hoppers know it is vital to bounce back this week if they want to remain in top four contention.

Gordon will be hopeful to secure the services of James Kelly this week, if he plays it’s a comfortable afternoon.

However, the Hoppers Hollywood football can derail the best of sides and will be looking to the likes of Zac Jenkins, Luke Philp and Josh Morgan to cut up the Eagles through the corridor, but that’s easier said than done.

Prediction: Gordon bounce back.