Teams build form before finals
Horsham District league A Grade sides will go about business as usual this week, with half the teams out to build form ahead of finals and the others looking for opportunities to celebrate before the season’s end.
The top six is all but set, with sixth-placed Edenhope-apsley two games clear of chasing Kalkee and Pimpinio.
The Saints will have an opportunity to try to knock off its higher-ranked opponent, Noradjuha-quantong, on Saturday, but will find the going tough, with the Bombers eight points ahead in fifth.
The Bombers are coming off a strong victory over Pimpinio ahead of last week’s bye round but despite their recent form, know they cannot afford to take the Saints lightly.
Noradjuha-quantong will also look to consolidate its form ahead of its clash with in-form Southern Mallee Giants the following week.
The Giants are sitting fourth in a competition that will offer plenty of excitement before a premier is crowned.
They will continue on their march towards finals with a win over Jeparit-rainbow on Saturday.
Round 12 offers three other one-sided matches, with second-placed Natimuk United to easily overcome Rupanyup and ladder leader Laharum to dispatch Pimpinio.
Harrow-balmoral has dropped to third on the leaderboard and will stay there after the weekend, with the slick Roos to be too strong for a developing Kalkee.
The final match of the round will give Taylors Lake one of its best opportunities to chalk up a win for its first season back in the A Grade competition following a year’s hiatus.
The Lakers take on Swifts, which are in 10th spot with three wins for the season.
The Baggies would be confident of adding to their tally, but the Lakers have worked hard this year and would be keen to see a payoff – which might add an extra impetus to the match.
Ladder: Laharum 40 points, 187.34 percent; Natimuk United 40, 154.91; Harrow-balmoral 36, 191.59; Southern Mallee Giants 32, 147.16; Noradjuha-quantong 32, 122.75; Edenhopeapsley 24, 101.72; Kalkee 16, 79.44; Pimpinio 16, 77.80; Rupanyup 12, 80.26; Swifts 12, 59.28; Jeparit-rainbow 4, 66.79; Taylors Lake 0, 48.90.