Round 14 Preview
Wicks over Gryphs by 3 Pts (Every fixture this week has some bearing on the finals or relegation, but this one has the pundits salivating in anticipation. The Wicks are in such resounding form that Declan Healy was interviewed on SEN in order to gain some insight into the Irish Connection at EP2. Rumour has it that none other than Mark Fine, will be an honorary guest of the Wicks and may umpire the reserves. On this basis, how could one go past the D3 ‘media darlings’, who have had the wood on their fierce local rivals for some time? There is no way the Gryphons will allow their opponents to jump them like they did five weeks back at ECR, but I feel that Elsternwick’s finest such as Grant Cameron and Craig Mahony will do just enough to retain the Murphy-Wells. Should be cracker played out in front of a passionate, large crowd).
Prahran over Pies by 44 Pts (The last two weeks have proven that the Four Blues are beatable, but only if the stars align, something I doubt will occur at Toorak Park on Saturday. Whilst West were most impressive last time out, they simply do not have the firepower to seriously trouble the home side and will fall well short. Adam Sleight to kick six or seven.
UHS over Ivanhoe by 3 Pts (This is a real $1.90 each of two game and I will side with the home team for no real reason as Princes Park is foreign to both. Uni High have not had a great record in these ‘crunch’ games over the years, but they simply must win and if results go their way they may have a one game cushion in fifth place come 5pm Saturday. The Hoes will fight tooth and nail, but may fall agonisingly short).
Albert Park over the Rams by 6 Pts (Should be another pulsating contest this time between teams fighting the drop. Even though the Falcons were very disappointing against Uni High, they can virtually relegate Mt Lilydale if they win. Expect a fiery contest between two passionate clubs however, Dylan Muscat and Mick Boyd will be a little too classy in the mud).
Yarra Valley over the House by 13 Pts (The Bushrangers will be made to work for the four points and I sense a real chance of an upset win for the home side. Paul Edwards may have to boot seven or eight, but Powerhouse have been quite impressive over the past fortnight and still are mindful of the drop zone. Cam Britt to also shine in the battle of the key forwards).
Kew over Hawks by 8 Pts (I expect the Bears to come out firing after last week’s sub-par performance in game they simply have to win to stay in touch. Hawthorn will also harbour finals hopes, but their percentage is pitiful and they allowed the lowly ranked Rams to still kick a reasonable score. Adam Brazzale should appreciate the lack of key defenders and get his boys over the line. Not without a scare from the enigmatic Hawks though).
Round 14 Review
4/6 (53/84 cumulative) was a reasonable return in such an unpredictable section as ours. Once again I underestimated the resolve of the Rams who showed great character to keep the relegation battle open with a strong win against the Falcons at home. Albert Park would be most disappointed with their effort as victory may have meant survival and certainly would’ve condemned their opponents. Uni High were gallant, but ultimately unsuccessful against a dogged Ivanhoe who ensured that the combine face a mini elimination final each week from hereon in. However, the biggest winners of the weekend were the Wicks, who retained the Murphy-Wells Cup in emphatic fashion, completely blowing the Gryphons off the park with a clinical display of football. Many of Elsternwick’s Past Players were in attendance to witness perhaps their finest quarter of football in a decade (the second term and Justin Hunter unstoppable with 10 goals. Prahran and Yarra did what they do best and won comfortably, the ease in which the Bushrangers disposed of Powerhouse at Ross Gregory was perhaps the only surprise. Kew got their mojo back against a lacklustre Hawks and what must have pleased Ian Aitken the most was that they did it without any significant contribution from Andrew Brazzale.
Round 15 Preview
Wicks over Prahran by 5 Pts (Call me crazy if you will, but I reckon the Wicks are playing just about as well as anyone and if they can play as clinically as they did against the Gryphs, I think the Four Blues may be conquered. The ground is sure to be heavy in the centre and the Wicks play this a treat. Daniel Sceney and the Mahoney’s should fire and just who can stop the red hot Hunter. Still, Prahran have a winning culture established and will not wilt like other opponents at EP2. With Christoforo back and firing they will go close but fall perhaps a kick or two short… Should be a cracker).
Yarra over Hoes by 36 Pts (Can’t see how anyone can get close to the Bushrangers at Domeney with Britt and Yeo carving it up. However, one must give credit to the Hoes as they are an extremely well-coached club that play the percentages and know their team processes and structures well. Hence, this could turn into a bit of a defensive arm wrestle early on, but ultimately class will prevail.
West over Mt Lilydale by 31 Pts (The Rams breathed new life into the relegation battle after their strong win last week, however, their road trips have been poor and West have too much at stake to drop this one. Very hard to line up form for these two sides but players such as Matty Barron should ensure the Magpies stay alive for one more week).
House over Kew by 11 Pts (Even though Kew has a finals berth on the line, the House are fighting to avoid relegation and this is one they simply have to win. Not sure the Bears have anyone to quell the influence of spearhead, Paul Edwards, but even if they can, Pikey’s men should show enough).
Gryphs over UHS by 12 Pts (Monash were very disappointing last time out, but their opponents have arguably been disappointing for well over a month. The Gryphs are always hard to beat at home and should win as long as they don’t squander opportunities in front of goals as has been their want this season. Expect this to be won in the midfield with Mitch Welsh and Sammy Sheehan having big games for the home side).
Falcons over Hawks by 6 Pts (I honestly haven’t the slightest clue as to who may win this one. All I do know, is neither side can be relied upon with any certainty. It may well be a case of whether Dan Lauletta can assert any influence on the contest for the Hawks, but perhaps the home ground advantage and the dreaded ‘R’ word will resonate more strongly and allow Albert Park to secure the four points.
Good luck to all
Quasi
Wicks over Gryphs by 3 Pts (Every fixture this week has some bearing on the finals or relegation, but this one has the pundits salivating in anticipation. The Wicks are in such resounding form that Declan Healy was interviewed on SEN in order to gain some insight into the Irish Connection at EP2. Rumour has it that none other than Mark Fine, will be an honorary guest of the Wicks and may umpire the reserves. On this basis, how could one go past the D3 ‘media darlings’, who have had the wood on their fierce local rivals for some time? There is no way the Gryphons will allow their opponents to jump them like they did five weeks back at ECR, but I feel that Elsternwick’s finest such as Grant Cameron and Craig Mahony will do just enough to retain the Murphy-Wells. Should be cracker played out in front of a passionate, large crowd).
Prahran over Pies by 44 Pts (The last two weeks have proven that the Four Blues are beatable, but only if the stars align, something I doubt will occur at Toorak Park on Saturday. Whilst West were most impressive last time out, they simply do not have the firepower to seriously trouble the home side and will fall well short. Adam Sleight to kick six or seven.
UHS over Ivanhoe by 3 Pts (This is a real $1.90 each of two game and I will side with the home team for no real reason as Princes Park is foreign to both. Uni High have not had a great record in these ‘crunch’ games over the years, but they simply must win and if results go their way they may have a one game cushion in fifth place come 5pm Saturday. The Hoes will fight tooth and nail, but may fall agonisingly short).
Albert Park over the Rams by 6 Pts (Should be another pulsating contest this time between teams fighting the drop. Even though the Falcons were very disappointing against Uni High, they can virtually relegate Mt Lilydale if they win. Expect a fiery contest between two passionate clubs however, Dylan Muscat and Mick Boyd will be a little too classy in the mud).
Yarra Valley over the House by 13 Pts (The Bushrangers will be made to work for the four points and I sense a real chance of an upset win for the home side. Paul Edwards may have to boot seven or eight, but Powerhouse have been quite impressive over the past fortnight and still are mindful of the drop zone. Cam Britt to also shine in the battle of the key forwards).
Kew over Hawks by 8 Pts (I expect the Bears to come out firing after last week’s sub-par performance in game they simply have to win to stay in touch. Hawthorn will also harbour finals hopes, but their percentage is pitiful and they allowed the lowly ranked Rams to still kick a reasonable score. Adam Brazzale should appreciate the lack of key defenders and get his boys over the line. Not without a scare from the enigmatic Hawks though).
Round 14 Review
4/6 (53/84 cumulative) was a reasonable return in such an unpredictable section as ours. Once again I underestimated the resolve of the Rams who showed great character to keep the relegation battle open with a strong win against the Falcons at home. Albert Park would be most disappointed with their effort as victory may have meant survival and certainly would’ve condemned their opponents. Uni High were gallant, but ultimately unsuccessful against a dogged Ivanhoe who ensured that the combine face a mini elimination final each week from hereon in. However, the biggest winners of the weekend were the Wicks, who retained the Murphy-Wells Cup in emphatic fashion, completely blowing the Gryphons off the park with a clinical display of football. Many of Elsternwick’s Past Players were in attendance to witness perhaps their finest quarter of football in a decade (the second term and Justin Hunter unstoppable with 10 goals. Prahran and Yarra did what they do best and won comfortably, the ease in which the Bushrangers disposed of Powerhouse at Ross Gregory was perhaps the only surprise. Kew got their mojo back against a lacklustre Hawks and what must have pleased Ian Aitken the most was that they did it without any significant contribution from Andrew Brazzale.
Round 15 Preview
Wicks over Prahran by 5 Pts (Call me crazy if you will, but I reckon the Wicks are playing just about as well as anyone and if they can play as clinically as they did against the Gryphs, I think the Four Blues may be conquered. The ground is sure to be heavy in the centre and the Wicks play this a treat. Daniel Sceney and the Mahoney’s should fire and just who can stop the red hot Hunter. Still, Prahran have a winning culture established and will not wilt like other opponents at EP2. With Christoforo back and firing they will go close but fall perhaps a kick or two short… Should be a cracker).
Yarra over Hoes by 36 Pts (Can’t see how anyone can get close to the Bushrangers at Domeney with Britt and Yeo carving it up. However, one must give credit to the Hoes as they are an extremely well-coached club that play the percentages and know their team processes and structures well. Hence, this could turn into a bit of a defensive arm wrestle early on, but ultimately class will prevail.
West over Mt Lilydale by 31 Pts (The Rams breathed new life into the relegation battle after their strong win last week, however, their road trips have been poor and West have too much at stake to drop this one. Very hard to line up form for these two sides but players such as Matty Barron should ensure the Magpies stay alive for one more week).
House over Kew by 11 Pts (Even though Kew has a finals berth on the line, the House are fighting to avoid relegation and this is one they simply have to win. Not sure the Bears have anyone to quell the influence of spearhead, Paul Edwards, but even if they can, Pikey’s men should show enough).
Gryphs over UHS by 12 Pts (Monash were very disappointing last time out, but their opponents have arguably been disappointing for well over a month. The Gryphs are always hard to beat at home and should win as long as they don’t squander opportunities in front of goals as has been their want this season. Expect this to be won in the midfield with Mitch Welsh and Sammy Sheehan having big games for the home side).
Falcons over Hawks by 6 Pts (I honestly haven’t the slightest clue as to who may win this one. All I do know, is neither side can be relied upon with any certainty. It may well be a case of whether Dan Lauletta can assert any influence on the contest for the Hawks, but perhaps the home ground advantage and the dreaded ‘R’ word will resonate more strongly and allow Albert Park to secure the four points.
Good luck to all
Quasi
