Zaida Glibanovic

THE second half of the Gippsland League split round will be completed tomorrow.

Round 16 actions sees Maffra travel to Drouin, while Sale gets to put its feet up with a bye.

The Eagles could be in for a pretty lopsided affair against a Hawks outfit that will be working for a high-scoring match on their part.

With the Drouin side being only four points but a fair way off in percentage behind Leongatha, the Hawks will be looking to pinch third spot on the ladder down the line.

 

A tenacious Moe will take on Leongatha at Ted Summerton Reserve.

With the third-last home-and-away game, Moe in second and Leongatha in third, will both want to finish their seasons strong and start their finals campaign.

The Parrots will have to work extremely hard to stop the shooting force of Ramayer Gourley. Expect to see a hard contest between these top sides.

Traralgon should be fine getting through Bairnsdale when they face off at the Traralgon showgrounds.

The Redlegs have shown fight, but the young Traralgon side have the ability to take the win.

Joining Sale with the week off will be Morwell, Warragul and Wonthaggi.

 

IN North Gippsland, tomorrow could change everything.

With only two points separating first and second, third and fourth and fourth and fifth. Therefore, Round 18 will shape who will hold that premiership cup come September 9.

Sale City could have top spot wrapped up if they beat Rosedale.

This won’t be an easy game for anybody. This is a must-win for the Bulldogs to have the easiest run to a flag, but if they lose, it could see them falling as far as fourth.

There still remains a chance for last year’s grand finalists in Rosedale, who have the manpower to do the unthinkable, and cause a colossal upset.

When teams have nothing to lose is when they’re most dangerous, and Cowwarr has the chance to send Heyfield out of double chance contention.

Given the Kangaroos’ experience and tight defence, it’s unlikely, but anything can happen. If the Kangaroos win, they have the potential to go top spot provided Sale City lose. But, even if the Dogs win the Roos stay sitting pretty in second.

 

All Churchill has to do is beat TTU.

The Bombers gave the Cougars a run for their money last time, having the Cougars beat until halftime when they played earlier in the season.

Churchill’s slow starts have been costly, but they will bring their all to keep that top three spot with the ladder so tight.

The Cougars will eagerly await the results of the other games to see their finals matchups.

Woodside will play Yarram in what everyone expects to be a walk-through win for the Wildcats.

Despite being fourth on the ladder, the Woodside crew – with Libby Nicole – continue to be a main threat come finals time.

Glengarry will get to finish their 2023 season with a high when they play Gormandale. The Magpies, unlucky to miss finals, have been a quality side and will want to enjoy their last game.

Yallourn Yallourn North finish the year with the bye and the wooden spoon.

 

IN East Gippsland’s last round of the season, second-placed Stratford and third-placed Boisdale-Briagolong will battle it out at Boisdale Recreation Reserve, with the Swans on song all year, a smart punter would take Stratford.

Wy Yung has been so dominant all season they won’t have any trouble when they take on second-last on the ladder Lucknow.

Paynesville and Lidenow will play it out, in what many might expect to be an easy Cats win.

In the other game for the round, Lakes Entrance takes on Orbost Snowy Rovers.