Dogs to dine on withered Wickers

Creswick v Daylesford

IT was a new low for the Wickers, who off the back of a couple improved performances which included a victory, slumped further down the ladder in a loss to Ballan in round nine of the Central Highlands Football League.

Another rebuild is on the cards and they take on a Daylesford side that is still mathematically in the race to make finals in season 2022.

On paper it is still a close one, but games aren’t won on paper with the Bulldogs expected to record another victory.

Prediction: Daylesford by 24 points.

 

Carngham-Linton v Dunnstown

Could get ugly here for Saints fans against one of the powerhouses in the competition as they host the Towners.

A competitive showing especially away from home recorded another honourable loss for Carngham-Linton with hopefully a similar output this weekend keeping some respectability on the scoreboard.

Prediction: Dunnstown in a landslide.

 

Bungaree v Learmonth

Seventh verses eighth here with the loser here likely to drop outside the competition’s top eight in what is being dubbed a mini elimination final.

The Demons pushed Dunnstown last time out with again midfielder Lachie Thornton doing no harm to his stocks as he pushes towards maybe some bigger individual honours come seasons end.

The Lakies got themselves back on the winner’s list with Damon Folkes booting six goals to sink the improving Crows.

In what is expected to be a tight tussle it will come down to the midfield with the likes of Thornton, Ben Dodd and to a lesser extent Xavier Curran having the inside game to see the Demons to victory.

Prediction: Bungaree in a flip of the coin.

 

Beaufort v Waubra

The last two premiers in the CHFL will go to battle with Beaufort desperate to regain a top eight spot and Waubra to keep their slim aspirations of finals footy alive.

One key difference between these two sides in that the Roos have a focal point of Hayden Hughes inside forward 50 and it is expected that he will be the difference come Saturday.

Prediction: Waubra comfortably.

 

Springbank v Newlyn

A bag of 10 goals from Stephen Staunton on the weekend was the difference in the Tigers remaining and undefeated or not, with his side scarping home by three points on the weekend over archrivals Waubra.

Ten out of twelve goals is pretty fair going, and is the similar output we have been expected to see out of the Cattery through their super boot Marcus Darmody.

Darmody bagged five on the weekend again as this one has all the makings as one that should be a pleasurable one to watch if you like the old fashion power forward.

Prediction: Springbank in a shootout.

 

Rokewood-Corindhap v Buninyong

Improvement by the Bombers on the weekend but their season is all but over with the club a couple of games outside the top eight.

They take on the much more fancied Hoppers who were boasted by the return of Leigh Ryall at the weekend who has come out of the retirement to help his sides quest to break a premiership drought spanning 20 years.

Prediction: Rokewood-Corindhap by 15 points.

 

Skipton v Gordon

Match of the Round with the Emus hosting the undefeated flag favourites in Gordon.

One of the competition’s dark horses will get an opportunity to prove pundits right, with their back six capable of matching up against a high scoring Eagles outfit that includes the likes of Adam Toohey who has 29 goals thus far this season.

His likely paring will be Josh Draffin, whereas at the other end the Emu spearhead Andrew Pitson should go one out with Gordon captain Mark Gunnell, who is three games back after a long layoff which hadn’t seen him feature since 2019.

With Geelong playing Saturday afternoon means no James Kelly and Shannon Byrnes for the Eagles but the club will be hopeful Matthew Stokes has freed up some availability, only featuring once in this season thus far.

In his absence Sam Griffiths has been a welcome inclusion, with a best on ground performance recognised as his top outing since joining the club from Bacchus Marsh in the off-season.

Prediction: Gordon in a tight one.

 

Clunes v Hepburn

A couple of weeks off will have refreshed the Burra who uncharacteristically currently sit outside the top four.

History suggests this to be a landslide with some big 200-point victories in the back of the mind of Magpie fans enough to suggest that this will be another one sided affair.

Prediction: Hepburn by plenty.