Lakies look to keep wind in their sails

Daylesford v Learmonth

THIS one presents as another opportunity for the Lakies to continue on their merry way, with Victoria Park hosting these two historic Central Highlands Football League clubs.

The Doggies were embarrassed by the table toppers in Dunnstown last weekend with their depleted midfield unable to cope with the Towners crash and bash style.

Learmonth did it easy over Ballan with ten individual goal kickers sharing the love in the big victory.

Eight goals to zero was an impressive start with the breeze, if the Doggies give the Lakies that same self-inflicted handicap expect the scoreboard to read extremely one sided.

Prediction: Learmonth comfortably.

 

Ballan v Waubra

Shockwaves rippled through the comp last Saturday evening as the Roos missed a golden opportunity to move into the competition’s top eight, allowing Creswick to record a remarkable upset victory.

Still level on points with eighth placed Bungaree, Waubra know they can’t let history repeat itself here and must put away the struggling Blues or kiss finals footy goodbye.

Prediction: Waubra to bounce back.

 

Creswick v Newlyn

Remarkably, both sides go into this one off the back of victories as the Wickers upstaged Waubra and Newlyn put away cellar dweller Carngham-Linton in convincing fashion.

This game is about pride with both clubs hoping to record back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

Prediction: Creswick make it two in a row.

 

Carngham-Linton v Buninyong

A percentage boosting win is needed for the Bombers as that is all that separates them and eighth position on the ladder.

A trip to take on the bottom placed Saints couldn’t come at a better time for coach Sean O’Loughlin as Buninyong have now found themselves once again a contender.

Prediction: Buninyong in a landslide.

 

Bungaree v Gordon

This is your chance Demon fans, ad hosting the second placed Eagles is an opportunity to prove to pundits if Bungaree are worth any of the hype.

Three consecutive losses, followed by a bounce back win over Newlyn culminated in a disappointing 11-point defeat to fellow finals contender Buninyong.

That makes a win here vital for the home side’s September footy aspirations.

However, the task couldn’t be any harder with Gordon the first team of the 2022 season to crack 200-points, reaching the milestone against Beaufort, and they’ll regain top spot on the ladder if they are victorious in this one.

Prediction: Gordon flex another muscle.

 

Beaufort v Hepburn

Expect this one to get ugly here the Burra look to cement another top four finish.

Watch coach and ex-AFL footballer Mitch Banner play a key role as this could be a chance for his first bag of ten in the competition.

Prediction: Hepburn by a staggering margin.

 

Springbank v Clunes

Three losses in a row for once the table topping Tigers, and now they meet a tricky Magpies outfit that took it right up against the Hoppers in round 13.

There’s no secret that Clunes’ best footy is fantastic, but they can also be bad, and the club is hopeful the back half of the season brings a measured level of consistency.

It’s simple, Tigers win and their season is back on track, a shock loss would see their good work in the first half of 2022 come undone.

Prediction: Springbank by 24points.

 

Rokewood-Corindhap v Skipton

Match of the round with the Hoppers and Emus going to war in what could be a preview of one of this year’s elimination finals.

It’s a battle of styles. Rokewood are more tempered in their approach verses Skipton’s all out chaos style ball game, that when it works can unravel in the best of opposition.

Last year’s league best and fairest winner Mitch Gilbert returned for the Emus, with his racking left foot adding yet another dimension to what is an impressive midfield group that also includes the likes of Sam Romeril and Jack McClure.

At the other end of the Rokewood-Skipton Road, Sean Maloney’s men have really struggled against top opposition, and with a finals atmosphere to this one he will be preaching a showcase of what Hoppers footy is all about come crunch time.

Prediction: Skipton in a tight one.