Staggered matches for round one
An opportunity for Wimmera Football League fans to continue to get their fill from a staggered opening round continues from this weekend with a series of stand-alone games.
With Stawell and Ararat having already opened the season with a Good Friday clash at Stawell, the action continues on Saturday afternoon at Dimboola and at Murtoa in the evening.
The round will culminate with a mighty Anzac Day confrontation under lights between fierce rivals Horsham and Horsham Saints on Tuesday.
With Stawell having set the early pace with a win over Ararat last week, the spotlight will this weekend firstly switch to a clash between Dimboola
ACROSS THE LEAGUES
and Warrack Eagles. Both sides are on the hunt for improvement, Dimboola to get itself back among the winners and the Eagles to continue a strengthening push into the finals.
Some of the more cynical of regional football observers have dismissed suggestions that Dimboola, under the leadership of Al Mckinnon, will be more competitive this year.
They argue the lack of significant ‘ins’ apart from Elliot and Oliver Braithwaite, Nigel Sibson and Dan Garner does little to inspire confidence.
But the Roos are probably a bit of an unknown considering a string of clearances the club has in for players from the Northern Territory and how much the players will respond to favourite son Mckinnon.
The Eagles appear to be improvers, especially with the mobile rucking power of Shannon Argall now at coach Ryan Mckenzie’s disposal.
As Argall renews acquaintances with Dimboola’s big men, the Eagles also have forward Jesse Murphy and midfielder Jack Wilson back in club colours.
Close contest
The Wimmera league is destined for a close and highly competitive season and the game at Dimboola might suggest just how close games will be this year.
After players dust off after the Dimboola game, the action will warm up again when Minyip-murtoa takes on Nhill in a night game at Murtoa.
Just like the scrutineers have already written off the Roos, they have also already pumped up Minyip-murtoa’s tyres.
The Burras certainly look to have a power-packed team under new coach Damian Cameron, who said during pre-season the Burras’ approach this year was all about attacking with a run-and-carry style.
There are new highly credentialed players joining the group that takes on Alan Bennett’s Tigers who could show similarities to last season or unveil a serious finals threat.
Nhill, with connections to South Australian football ranks, is always a mystery on how it will line up until the opening round.
Anzac clash
It will be Tuesday night before the round is complete after reigning premiers Horsham Saints take on the Demons under lights at Horsham City Oval.
There is always something special about Anzac Day games and this clash will be no exception.
The Saints have a new coach in Luke Fisher and have lost one of the most dangerous forwards in the competition in Jacob Cooke-harrison. But they have retained the core of what was one of the best midfields in the competition last year. Louie Dalziel’s Horsham has a hefty list of players and unlike the past couple of seasons, some seasoned veterans in Tim Wade and Josh Mibus to help with aerial contests.
Don’t forget that clever Deek Roberts has joined the Demons, but his addition might be offset by the departure of Nick Pekin.
Last week, Stawell backed up predictions that it would be hard to beat this season by scoring a 69-point win over Ararat.
The Warriors, with Travis Graham and Brent Tuckey kicking four goals each and Jamie Bach on song, led at every change in front of a big crowd at Stawell’s North Park.
Ararat struggled to find avenues to goal but Alan Batchelor and Jack Antonio impressed.