Cats have a cause milestone last game

Newlyn v Dunnstown

IN his final match as senior coach of Newlyn, coach Chris Banwell will be urging his charges to give it their all and try and pull off one of the upsets of the Central Highlands Football League season when they host the Towners.

Last week Newlyn kicked eight goals… Marcus Darmody kicked all of them.

Their one dimensional nature has been what has cost them in season 2022 with the off-season plan simple, firstly get a coach but secondly get some talented calibre around the super-boot.

Prediction: Dunnstown comfortably.

 

Waubra v Learmonth

Match of the round with the Roos hosting the Lakies in a Battle of the Sunraysia Highway that has huge post-season ramifications.

For Learmonth their fate is already set, and they’ll take on Buninyong next week in the first elimination final.

Yet for Waubra a win or loss is the difference from being there in September as participants or spectators.

James Lukich was the Roos best last weekend with Brandon Green also bagging five goals up forward, but it wasn’t enough against the powerhouse that is Dunnstown.

However, if those two can carry that form into this one everyone is in for a real show.

The Lakies are fresh off the bye and even though it seems they don’t have a lot to play for in this one, the message from coach Nick Willox will be all about winning form as Learmonth returns to finals footy for first time since 2014.

Prediction: Learmonth in a flip of the coin.

 

Buninyong v Daylesford

An easy win expected for the in-form Bombers as a sixth-place finish looms for the home side as now they lurk as a real dark horse in September.

The Doggies fifth win of 2022 saw them move up to 12th of the ladder with this finals round match-up a true footy audit for them approaching the off-season.

Prediction: Buninyong by 30 points.

 

Gordon v Ballan

This year’s minor premiers will make light work of the Blues and the only real talking point is have Gordon had too soft of a run into a big finals campaign?

Prediction: Gordon by just a matter of how much.

 

Hepburn v Creswick

Coach, Mitch Banner, kicked a season high 12 goals on the weekend for the Burra and took his 2022 tally to 69, three goals clear of his closest rival for the Shane Everrard Memorial Award in Stephen Staunton.

With the Tigers having the bye, Banner will join the great names of Hepburn football like Lee Cox and Sam Dunstan who have been the leading goal kicker in the competition before him.

Prediction: Hepburn in a landslide.

 

Clunes v Carngham-Linton

The Maggies are favourites here but there has been no doubt cellar dweller in Carngham-Linton have been gearing up for this one and it’s not out of the question they might get over the line here in a shock upset.

The Saints are winless in season 2022 and in fact haven’t won a game in the league since the 29 June 2019.

To avoid embarrassment and mediocrity can the Saints finally get four points?

Prediction: No. Clunes by 24 points.

 

Skipton v Bungaree

Still mathematically in the mix, the Demons will give it their all when they take on the Emus at the Skipton Recreation Reserve.

Bungaree need the fairytale finish to make finals, an upset victory here and losses to both Waubra and Rokewood-Corindhap, the latter looking highly unlikely, sorry Demons fans.

Skipton are locked in at fifth on the ladder and will either play Waubra, Rokewood-Corindhap, or if the fairytale for the Demons does occur then them in the second elimination final.

Keeping that in mind maybe expect the Emus to leave a little bit of gas in the tank in this one.

Prediction: Bungaree in a tight one.

Rokewood-Corindhap v Beaufort

All eyes will be on the game between Waubra and Learmonth with the equation simple for the Hoppers they need a Lakies victory and one of their one against Beaufort will see them into the finals.

The result here is academic with the Crows already planning for 2023, announcing Daniel Jones will join the coaching ranks next season.

However, with maybe one eye off the ball, they have to try and use that as motivation to cause the upset of the season.

Prediction: Rokewood-Corindhap to secure a post-season spot.