Scott Berechree
TRYING to line up North Gippsland football’s top 10 sides might be best described as solving a mystery wrapped up in a conundrum.
Putting toothpaste back in the tube ranks among many of the tasks which are simpler than trying to tip five winners each week.
The upside to this tipster’s nightmare that doubles as the footy fixture is some fascinating and unpredictable football is assured.
On Saturday, for example, three games are being played between sides which might finish anywhere from top to 10th at season’s end.
AS a result of injury and absence, Yarram has been unable so far to select its best side. The fact the Demons still find themselves in second spot on the ladder is worrying to the rest of the competition.
The form of the Demons’ Pride Cup game opponent, Rosedale, over the past two weeks involves inflicting Heyfield’s first defeat of 2021 before going down by the narrowest of margins to the ladder leading Woodside.
After relying on Brandon McDonald to kick a score in the opening weeks, Rosedale has found several avenues to goal in recent outings, which will ensure the Yarram defenders are kept occupied come Saturday afternoon.
With Adam Parry likely to get the job on McDonald, it will be interesting to see who Yarram coach Justin Staley tasks with manning up Frazar Brouns if and when he pushes forward.
Yarram’s counter to Rosedale playing the two big boys forward is the speed and skill of Jack Weston, Griffin Underwood and Keifer Sutherland across half-back to set up its attack. A lack of speed in the Rosedale front half could prove costly given this style of play.
Combine this back half toe with the fact the smaller Yarram forwards such as Kayleb and Tyler Pearce and Josh Swift have been hitting the scoreboard of late, and this clash promises to be a high-scoring and entertaining game.
WOODSIDE would be favourite heading into its home game against Heyfield.
The Kangaroos will have spent the bye week planning and preparing to get back into winning form.
Wildcats coach Michael Duncan has been among the goals, having bagged 13 in his past three outings. Another Duncan bag will go a long way to ensuring his side remains atop the ladder for at least one more week.
COMING off a huge win against Traralgon-Tyers United, Yallourn-Yallourn North will meet a Sale City side struggling to find consistency.
Coming up against his former club of several years ago, Keenan Hughes’ form in front of goal, along with his partners in crime, Mitch Luck and Dean Macdonald, will likely decide the outcome for the Bombers.
Sale City will do well to focus on shutting off supply. Quite simply, once the ball gets into the Bomber front half, it invariably finds its way into the hands of one third of this trio, which inevitably leads to the goal umpires waving the dual calicos.
For City to win, its top end talent will need to be not only good but practically outstanding, and with two such players, coach Shane Fyfe and on-ball weapon come goal kicker Bhodi Walker, coming off an interrupted preparation for this match it won’t be an easy task for the travelling Bulldogs.
TTU will head to Glengarry, where the Bombers will meet a Magpie unit coming off a much-needed first win.
After a draw and a resounding win over the past two NGFNL premiers, TTU’s form is harder to read than Shakespeare.
While based on form, a Tyers win seems inevitable, the margin here will tell us plenty about both sides.
GORMANDALE will make the trip to Churchill, where it has never defeated the Cougars.
COWWARR will have the bye.
