Lakies a chance to drench Hepburn

Hepburn v Learmonth

MATCH of the Round in the Central Highlands Football League as the Burra look to bounce back hosting a Lakies outfit that seems not to fear anyone in season 2022. Learmonth took it right up to flag favourites Gordon this past Saturday, agonisingly falling short by 11-points in a cracking back and forth game. For Hepburn they got a reality check at the hands against giant killers Dunnstown and can ill-afford to drop two in a row as competition for the top four spots is already beginning to heat up. The Burra again will turn to experience, with Andy McKay the obvious choice to be the match winner after couple back-to-back best on ground performance but he needs support or Learmonth might get across the line in an upset here.

Prediction: Hepburn in a tight one.

Beaufort v Carngham-Linton

Shockwaves were sent through the league last weekend with the Crows recording an upset victory over Bungaree in an absolute nail bitter. After trailing at every break, Beaufort stormed home with four final quarter goals and enough effort to register win number one for the year. For the Saints it was another big loss this time at the hands of the favoured Springbank. Beaufort does present themselves as a winnable opportunity for the competition’s cellar dwellers and it will be critical that they can stop midfielder Daniel Jones who is just starting to look comfortable in Crow colours.

Prediction: Beaufort go back-to-back.

Springbank v Creswick

The Tigers keep announcing themselves as one of the competition’s teams to beat after another thumping victory. Connor Parkin kicked his second bag of five in as many weeks with Todd Finco and Chris Quinlian dominant in the midfield. The Wickers hit rock bottom in a 100-point loss to Rokewood-Corindhap and with their season outlook bleak, history may repeat itself.

Prediction: Springbank remain undefeated.

Rokewood-Corindhap v Ballan

Sorry Ballan fans but you are in for a long afternoon with the Hoppers a big chance to make it back-to-back 100-point wins. Playing one of the sides more fancied to win the premiership, it will be the Blues who must see this as game having nothing to lose and if they can win a quarter, contest the footy, or just something, anything, then it will be worthwhile besides the complete annihilation on the scoreboard.

Prediction: Rokewood-Corindhap in a landslide.

Skipton v Daylesford

This one now shapes as an absolute belter after the Doggies recorded an upset victory over Clunes. Their first win of the season was compounded by some hard yards on the track over summer with the work rate of youngster Joel Cummings epitomising the effort in a breakout best on ground performance. For the Emus it was business as usual with a comfortable ten goal win over the struggling Blues. At home they should have no problem dispatching the Bulldogs, but they’ll know if they’re even five per cent off their best there could be a little scare in store.

Prediction: Skipton by 30 points.

Clunes v Dunnstown

It is now clear the Towners are the real deal, but can Clunes announce themselves as contenders? A big clash for the Magpies after Daylesford handed them shock loss and their first of the season. They take on a side in red hot form after an empathic victory over juggernaut Hepburn. An even spread across the field for the Towners with the recruitment of Pat Britt really steadying an already impressive defence and making Glenn Wilken’s side one of the hardest to score against. Clunes for that very reason will have to take every opportunity and only a bag from spearhead, John Fazio, could save them here.

Prediction: Dunnstown by 24 points.

Gordon v Waubra

Four points is still four points will be the motto in Eagles camp as they remain undefeated. Taking on a Roos outfit who is yet to win a game should present an easy opportunity to foresee the premiership favourites through another week. Hayden Hughes bagged five goals in his return to the club, and if he can get further service then maybe the Roos could avoid their worst start to a season in recent memory.

Prediction: Gordon comfortably.

Buninyong v Newlyn

Will be a tight one at the Buninyong Rec Reserve as the Bombers and Cats do battle in an old fashion eight-point game with a victory and loss detrimental to the sides finals aspirations. Veteran, Jarrod Rodgers, saw his side home in a tight tussle against Waubra on the weekend but will need a little might more out of the slick forwards at the minute. The Cats come fresh of the bye and will back their inside grunt form the likes of Sean Willmott to match the Bombers in contested footy. However, with still no Marcus Darmody the Cats forward line doesn’t pose the same threat it once did, with questions marks whether they can kick a winning score week after week.

Prediction: Buninyong in a flip of the coin.