Teams chasing Burras
Abig red target sits squarely on the back of a black, blue and white jumper in Wimmera Football League as finalists start drawing end-of-season battle plans.
Regardless of the mounting intrigue and speculation in the build-up to the finals, the one obvious fact is that any of the challengers must beat Minyip-murtoa to enjoy success.
The Burras are whistling ‘Dixie’ unbeaten on top of the ladder three rounds out from the end of the homeand-away season and appear unstoppable.
The whiteboards in the inner sanctum of other finalists are set for a mighty workout in the next few weeks as coaches attempt to plot the Burras’ downfall.
Horsham appears the closest to exposing a nerve and came close to upsetting its rival at the weekend.
The Demons had a twopoint lead at the last change at Murtoa but fell nine points short of snatching a win.
Results reveal the Demons had six more scoring shots than the home side and it remains to be seen if that reflects anything for the approaching finals.
Details also show that established team leaders John Delahunty, Luke Chamberlain and Damian Cameron were at the forefront of the Minyip-murtoa win, while Brad Hartigan, Deek Roberts, Simon Hobbs and Ben Lakin led the Horsham cause.
While watchers have been pulling elements of the contest apart since the final siren, the result might as well be ancient history.
Minyip-murtoa now fronts up against a Dimboola side sure to be buoyed from its victory over Nhill and fired up for a chance to play a giant-killer at home at Dimboola. The Roos held on to record their first win of the season and although outgunned across the lines, on paper at least, will have a dip at unsettling the Burras.
Last week it was the likes of Lachie Watts, Jayden Kuhne, Jare Krnjic and Elliot Braithwaite who led Roos’ charge and we wait with anticipation to see what the team offers this weekend.
Minyip-murtoa scrambled across the line to win by five points when the teams last met and the margin will be 17 this time around.
Eagles and Demons
While the Burras attempt to shrug off the Roos, Horsham will engage with Warrack Eagles in match of the round.
The Demons are brimful of running talent but Warrack Eagles, across the season, appear to have settled on a winning formula.
The Eagles over-ran Stawell last week at Warracknabeal, turning an 18-point quartertime deficit into a 35-point win.
Warrack Eagles have shown an ability to hurt teams with scoreboard pressure, but last week revealed another element of their game by coming from behind.
In the best-player mix for the Eagles last week were Aaron Watts, Riley Morrow Scott Adams and Daniel Bell, while Jesse Murphy slotted six goals.
The Eagles were seven goals short of the Demons when the teams last met and it will be fascinating to see how much or whether they have bridged the gap.
The Demons to win by 11 points.
Matching discussion about the Eagles’ rise in stature this season is the disappointment surrounding Stawell.
The Warriors should be too good for Horsham Saints at home at Central Park on Saturday, but to pinch a Jack Dyerism – ‘don’t put down your glasses’.
There is a perception that if Stawell suddenly clicks it will pose a problem for any team, but that’s been a rarity so far this season.
Jack Beaton was good for the Warriors last outing and Angus Barham, Sam Williams, Sean Mantell and Cam Kimber also won votes.
Horsham Saints, meanwhile, have battled gamely all season and last week ultimately prevailed in a low-scoring struggle against Ararat.
The Saints are all about how much space they can create in dashing from the clinches, but that can quickly become unstuck if they fail to win first use of the ball.
Jacob O’beirne, Sam Clyne and others such as Sam Jasper and Kieran Priestley are critical players alongside coach Luke Fisher and Xander Mcrae.
Stawell will beat the Saints by 23 points.
Ararat will welcome Nhill to Alexandra Oval and despite both sides mothballing finals aspirations, will produce one of the best games of the round.
Games between the Rats and Tigers always produce a fierce contest and last week it was the likes of Billy Hayes, Liam Albrecht and Ben Pollock who played well for the Tigers and Jack Ganley, Grady Slocombe, Nick Mendes and Alan Batchelor leading the way for the Rats.
Ararat will win points. by five