EDFL finals race wide open
The Ellinbank District football premierhsip race remains wide open at the half way point of the season as sides look to jostle for position inside the top six.
Reigning premier Cora Lynn and their 2015 grand final opponent Bunyip again head the ladder, with the much-improved Koo wee rup hot on their heels.
The EDFL will play a top six finals series this year, with the top two to receive a week off and the double chance.
Each of the above sides have eight wins and with an eight point gap to fourth-placed Neerim-Neerim South, appear destined to be fighting it out for the top two finish.
The race to finish in the lower reaches of the top six also appears to be wide open, and several sides outside the top three could be more than capable on their day should they qualify for September action.
Neerim-Neerim South and Nar Nar Goon sit on 24 points in fourth and fifth place respectively, although the Cats have one game in hand.
Percentage separates sixth-placed Warragul Industrials from ninth-placed Buln Buln, with Garfield and NilmaDarnum in between.
How will each side fare in the run home?
Cora Lynn (eight wins, points)
Despite losing several players to Red Hill, the Cobras still boast a number of quality players in their line up.
With just the one loss to Bunyip to date, the Cobras sit well placed for another tilt under new coach David Main.
Bunyip (eight wins, second, 32 points)
The Bulldogs have recruited well as they aim to take the next step.
Bunyip easily disposed of Cora Lynn earlier this season and apart from a slip up against the much-improved Koo wee rup have been the form side of the competition. Expect them to challenge again. Koo wee rup (eight wins, third, 32 points)
The Demons boast a new-look side with plenty of strength in the midfield and up forward.
Koo wee rup should put themselves in a position to contend.
Neerim-Neerim South fourth, 24 points)
The Cats have signalled a return to their best and with a game in hand and healthy percentage, could press for a top two finish should recent form continue.
Much like Koo wee rup, the Cats boast plenty of strength around the ball and will pose a threat come finals time.
Nar Nar Goon (six wins, fifth, 24 points)
Recruited well with aspirations of playing finals.
Consistency has been an issue, although an upset over Dusties last week shows they could trouble sides when at their best. first, 32 (six wins,
Warragul Industrials (five wins, sixth, 20 points)
Have slipped in recent weeks following a tough period in the fixture.
Boast the third best percentage in the league, which should help them secure a finals berth.
A lack of a number one ruckman could hurt against the stronger sides.
Garfield (five wins, seventh, 20 points)
Have taken time to gel under new coach Joel Morgan but are now up and running.
Could push for finals if current form continues.
Their chances may hinge on availability from players with VFL commitments.
Nilma-Darnum (five wins, eighth, 20 points)
Last week was what Bombers fans had been waiting for.
While it has been obvious NilmaDarnum have improved through recruitment of players from Pines, the Bombers broke through to take a big scalp in Koo wee rup to announce themselves as a contender to play finals football.
They will need more stirring victories against sides around them to realise that goal. Buln Buln (five wins, ninth, 20 points) The Lyrebirds are re-building, exposing young talent around its experienced players.
Buln Buln will probably just miss, but are showing signs they could climb again quickly. Catani (three wins, 10th, 12 points) Coach Paul Alger would be frustrated with lack of consistency as the Blues aim to improve.
A stirring win over finals aspirants nar Nar Goon has been marred by losses to lowly Lang Lang and Ellinbank. Nyora (three wins, 11th, 12 points) Has shown some improvement with victory over the sides around it at the bottom end of the ladder.
Still a long way off finals contention with big losses to the higher ranked sides.
Longwarry (one win, 12th, four points)
After challenging for finals last season, the struggling Crows have slipped.
Will aim to create some upsets to help shape the six in the second half of the year.
Lang Lang (one win, points)
Lost some key players to neighbouring leagues and has slipped as a result. Ellinbank (one win, 14th, four points) The young team has shown positive signs in recent weeks, capped off by a stirring win over Catani last week after pushing Buln Buln the week before.
Will aim for more victories over the teams around them on the ladder.
Poowong (zero wins, 15th, zero points)
The young Poowong side is still struggling with the Magpies again in for another long season. 13th, four