Storm, Kees in defining contest
Awrestle for league domination will continue to froth and bubble in Horsham District football with a ripper clash between unbeaten Jeparit-rainbow and Kalkee at Jeparit on Saturday.
Jeparit-rainbow, flying the flag for the northern end of the competition, has so far answered all challenges and sits a game clear of both the Kees and Harrow-balmoral.
The Storm’s victory over Harrow-balmoral more than a week ago was profound and firmly established the Hindmarsh amalgam as a mid-season pacesetter.
But what about Kalkee? It too has had a handy season, its only loss coming in round three to Harrow-balmoral, and, apart from a spell with a general bye last weekend, is coming off a solid win over Noradjuha-quantong. Will Saturday’s contest be free-flowing or a defensive grind?
There is considerable talent in both camps to suggest players will take plenty of risks and get the ball into the open.
Jeparit-rainbow’s primary goal-kickers are Ashley Clugston, who has 28 so far this season, and tall Daniel Batson, 21.
Jayden Kuhne is leading the way with 24 for the Kees and others including Steve Schultz, 18, and Simon Hobbs, 14, are also having an impact in front of goals.
Harrow-balmoral seems to have drifted from the spotlight for the moment but is sure to come bouncing back against Rupanyup, at Rupanyup.
The Southern Roos kicked only 10 goals against the Storm, which was reflective of a declining impact on the scoreboard in their past three games.
This is despite James Staude having 39 goals for the season at an average of more than five a game and leading the league table and Todd Lawrence, Ed Ferguson and coach Nick Pekin also collecting roughly two a game.
Rupanyup sits ninth on the ladder with two wins so far this season and needs a major scalp to get back in the hunt for a spot in the finals.
Remarkably, the Panthers are only two games off the pace and have had a fortnight off for coach Jack Musgrove and his brains trust to consider planning.
Mid-ladder scramble
Edenhope-apsley, Natimuk United, Swifts and Laharum are teams all hovering underneath the top three and results this weekend will mean plenty for all.
Fourth-placed Edenhope-apsley will be spectating with a bye but Natimuk United and Laharum will engage in an important clash at Laharum and Swifts have a danger game against eighth-placed Noradjuha-quantong at Quantong.
Only four points separate the Saints, Rams, Baggies and Demons and a win for Noradjuhaquantong would also elevate the Bombers into the mid-ladder scramble.
But while plenty of intrigue surrounds teams fighting for top-six spots, perhaps the most intense clash this weekend might unfold between Taylors Lake and Pimpinio.
Neither side has won a game this season and both have been on the end of some hidings.
But it is all up for grabs at Pimpinio on Saturday in a game that both sides will firmly believe they can win.