Tug of war predicted at city oval
Anyone who has watched the action unfold at a Quambatook Tractor Pull knows what it’s like when two equally powerful machines find themselves in a deadlock.
With enough horsepower to carry small armies into battle pulling in opposite directions, wheels spin, engines roar and the crowd waits in anticipation until something finally gives.
That’s the type of tension many Wimmera Football League fans are expecting when Horsham and Minyipmurtoa clash in a highly anticipated top-of-the-table contest in Horsham on Saturday.
As teams limber up for roundsix action, both the Horsham Demons and Minyip-murtoa Burras are unbeaten with little percentage separating the teams.
Horsham holds sway on top of the ladder for the moment, having secured wins against Dimboola, Nhill, Stawell, Ararat and Horsham Saints.
The Burras present the Demons’ biggest challenge to date and Horsham’s much-talkedabout tall-timber restructure will be well and truly under the spotlight on Saturday.
Last week Horsham simply outgunned Dimboola, 45 scoring shots to nine, providing a clear picture of the gulf between the sides.
It was again the likes of under-the-radar on-baller Simon Hobbs and fellow runners Deek Roberts, Tyler Blake, John Wood, Brad Hartigan and four-goal Jack Mentha who did most of the damage.
Minyip-murtoa, which had a major scare before overwhelming Stawell last week, also had running players leading the charge, with Kade Petering, John Delahunty, Pat Purcell and Oliver Young capturing attention.
But the game, if in dry weather, is likely to be won and lost depending on what happens in the air.
The Burras have an imposing group including Kieran Delahunty, Luke Chamberlain, Braydon Ison, Jae Mcgrath, Warwick Stone, Clinton Midgley and co, up against Rhona Conboy, Billy Carberry, Ben Lakin, Sid Hernon, Josh Mibus, Tim Wade and Ryan Kemp.
This game promises to go to the wire and it will be Horsham that prevails by 17 points.
Top game
Another ripper game will unfold between Stawell and Warrack Eagles at Stawell’s Central Park as both teams try to establish an edge in the top five.
Stawell missed its opportunity last week despite the efforts of Jackson Dark, Tom Eckel, Todd Matthews and Naish Mcroberts, while the Eagles held Ararat at bay at home at Anzac Park.
While Stawell will need to create more opportunities in attack the Eagles will need their kicking boots on after kicking 15 behinds last game.
For the Eagles last week, Mal Douglas won club votes while Shannon Argall, Ryan Mckenzie and Riley Morrow did well and Josh Bibby kicked four goals.
It will be the Eagles who narrowly snatch a profound victory.
Easier win
Horsham Saints will be hoping for an easier win than the victory they claimed against Nhill last week when they meet Ararat at Ararat’s Alexandra Oval.
But there are no easy games in Wimmera league this season and the Rats will also consider the contest one they can win.
Last week, Horsham Saints trailed Nhill at every change before winning the final term and snatching a seven-point win.
Featuring in the triumph were players such as Angus Gove, Jacob O’beirne, Mitch Martin and Bowen Friend while Matt Combe bagged five goals.
At the same time Ararat harried Warrack Eagles, with Nick Mendes, Alan Batchelor, Zach Louder and Jack Ganley flying the red and white flag.
Horsham Saints love to run and the big ground should suit them. They will win by 21 points. Nhill can’t seem to win a trick and victory in a battle of the Little Desert with Dimboola at Dimboola on Saturday is also far from a certainty.
Daniel Batson, four goals, stood up for Nhill last week and others such as Ed Pritchard, Brad Thompson and Billy Hayes were good.
Dimboola is still searching for a win despite Jayden Lehmann playing well last week and Daniel Greig and Michael Pohlner featuring.
Nhill will win by 23 points.