The bigtime battle of the birds is back!

Hepburn v Gordon

IT’S already being billed as a mini-grand final preview, as the Burra hosting the table topping Eagles this weekend in Central Highlands Football League round eight action.

Gordon will be refreshed off the bye when they take on the second placed Hepburn who continue to tick on as one of the sides to beat this season.

Subject to availability Matthew Stokes, Mick Nolan and Griffith brothers all pose as dangerous small forward options for Hepburn to contend with.

And then they have to take into account captain Adam Toohey who continues to be one of the best forwards in the league, with 16 goals so far, including seven in round six against Buninyong.

Prediction: Gordon by under a goal.

 

Carngham-Linton v Ballan

Take two for the Saints after falling short against Creswick last weekend this one shapes as another golden opportunity for the club to record its first victory since 2019.

As the competition’s bottom two placed sides, don’t expect a pretty game of football out at Linton but one that will match the same serious intensity as any big game.

Both sides pencilling this one in as a real opportunity to record what could be their only victory of the season.

Prediction: Carngham-Linton by 12 points.

 

Bungaree v Daylesford

It was business as usual for the Demons on the weekend with Lachie Thornton dominant again in guiding his side to victory over cellar dwellers Ballan.

As his stocks rise and talks of league best and fairest honours potentially awaiting him come seasons end, they host a Doggies outfit that there bite can match their bark on any giving day with a shock 18-point victory over Beaufort on the weekend.

Xavier Walsh was adjudged best on ground with it vital for Daylesford to show some consistency here and record back-to-back victories for the first time since 2019.

Prediction: Bungaree in a tight one.

 

Beaufort v Dunnstown

After a round seven of upsets, both the Crows and Towners will be looking to get back on the winner’s list in their big clash this Saturday afternoon at the Goldfields Recreation Reserve.

In what was only their second loss of the season, Dunnstown slipped all the way down to sixth on the ladder, and if they want to stay in touch with the top four they can’t afford to lose to the eight placed Crows this weekend.

Prediction: Dunnstown by 24 points.

 

Springbank v Learmonth

Tiger Time? Fans of Springbank FNC are starting to believe that they can go the distance after a comprehensive victory away from home on the weekend against Dunnstown.

Todd Finco and Connor Parkin again were the difference with duo combining for five goals for the afternoon with the ever-reliable Pat Glanford super in defence as he continues his fine form since jumping across to the Tigers in the off-season.

Despite leading by 25-points at the major break, the Lakies were overrun by Rokewood-Corindhap and blew a massive opportunity to sneak inside the top eight.

Now in ninth position, it is almost feels do or die for them if they want to be a part of September action.

Prediction: Springbank comfortably.

 

Rokewood-Corindhap v Waubra

A come from behind victory that was highlighted by some inaccurate goal kicking was the story for the Hoppers in round seven.

Now they host a Roos outfit that upstaged dark horse Skipton on the weekend with the Lukich brothers strong in the victory.

Since returning to football, Hayden Hughes has looked colossus every time he pulls on the blue and white and if he returns this weekend expect the Hoppers unable to run down a Waubra lead if they are given the same head start.

Prediction: Waubra in an upset.

 

Skipton v Newlyn

Just sitting outside the top four, it’s a danger game here for the Emus who host a Cats outfit remarkably still in the hunt for finals footy.

Chris Banwell’s side held on by 12-points over a fast-finishing Clunes on the weekend with you guessed it, Marcus Darmody booting six to guide them safely to victory.

Josh Draffin will get first crack on the super boot this weekend with the message simple from Sam Willian going into this one, if you stop Darmody, you stop Newlyn.

Prediction: Skipton in a flip of the coin.

 

Clunes v Buninyong

It’s time panic Bombers fans. With only two wins on the board and Skipton, Rokewood-Corindhap and Springbank in coming weeks, this one becomes a must win.

In round eight it’s Clunes, and while the Magpies sit one place above Buninyong, the latter go in heavy favourites against after the former dropped their last four matches.

Buninyong pushed Hepburn on the weekend with Geoff Lovett and Harli Givvens the two clear stand outs in the 16-point loss.

They may have too much quality to lose this one but it is going to have to take something seriously special from the Bombers who have been unable to re-find the form that saw them the minor premiers back in 2019.

Prediction: Buninyong by 40 points.