Jim Gordon previews the upcoming round seven matches to be played in the Mallee Football League.
HOPETOUN V BEULAH
Undefeated and inform Beulah against arch rival, but winless Hopetoun looks like being a real mismatch. The Devils must improve and they must improve fast or it is going to be a long season for the team and their supporters. Beulah are in ominous touch and will field a team that should be unchanged from last week.
Beulah have plenty of contributors all over the ground. Callum and Micah Buchanan are playing havoc with whomever they come up against, Brad Shannon is in strong form across the half backline, David King is kicking plenty of goals and Dennis Redden at centre half forward is having a very good season. Anthony McKenzie seems to have found his best position for the team in the forward line.
It was Redden and the Buchanan brothers who set the Blues alight last week in their nine goal opening term against Ouyen United. That proved to be enough of a break for Beulah to maintain the upper hand over United, even though the win was only three points in the end.
Luke Carr is in very good form for Hopetoun and can play anywhere on the ground. Simon Cook will probably start in the ruck against Stef Saunders. Cook found form in the last Hopetoun game when they went down to Jeparit Rainbow. The Devils will be looking for Bryce Wellington to produce more up forward and for the big man to give his onballers chances at ground level.
Cade Wellington is going along nicely for Hopetoun and Kyle George will get better with every game. In a major blow for the Devils, they have unfortunately lost the services of Clint Burdett for the rest of the season.
The speed and class of the Blues will prove too much for Hopetoun who will battle to negate the impact of the many Beulah stars.
OUYEN UNITED V WALPEUP UNDERBOOL
Ouyen United should welcome the opportunity to test themselves against their nemesis Walpeup Underbool this week at Blackburn Park. If ever the Demons are to have a chance to down the Roos, this could be the game. United are getting better every week with their high profile imports having a huge impact on the club whilst Walpeup Underbool have had a horror start to their season.
The Roos have battled team instability and injury in a year that sees them so far battling to replicate their 2012 form. This week Matt Brown will miss with a leg injury, but there is chance that coach Luke Nathan may be right to play.
The highly skilled and talented David Piasente is a plus for the Roos if he can return to the field after missing last weekend.
Ouyen United were gallant in defeat last week when they could have been excused if they had not played with the intensity their coach Peter Caldow and their late President Tony Cua would have demanded. After a slow start, the Dees seemed to regroup at quarter time to go on to a glorious loss when all hope looked to have gone early in the game. Damien Cupido is a class above any defender he has so far encountered in the league, the Dees are quick around the middle and their younger players are improving each week as they adjust to new players, new coach and a team plan of getting the ball long and quick into the strong hands of Cupido.
Ouyen United will miss Laurence Angwin who will be out with a hamstring injury and Dean Jardine who was just starting to find top form running from half back. Jardine has a shoulder injury.
For the Roos to win, they will need to regroup and find some of last year's form and confidence after a poor month of football. United at home may put another dent into the Roos' hopes for a back to back premiership season.
SEA LAKE NANDALY TIGERS V WOOMELANG LASCELLES
Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers have had a very good start to the year, their only loss coming when they went down narrowly to the unbeaten Beulah side after being ahead by nearly seven goals at half time. Woomelang Lascelles are the most improved side in the MFL this season, they are playing very good football and would take great delight in downing their near neighbour.
The Cats will need to play their best football for the season if they are to have a chance against the Tigers who will be playing at home. Woomelang Lascelles will be without Rohan Coburn who will miss with hamstring problems, but they should get back Will Simpson.
The Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers' midfield took the points against the experienced and highly fancied Roos with the run of Tom Summerhayes, Darcy Ryan (who finished with three goals) and Wes Sewell being a feature. Lance Brown, Liam Barry and Matt Elliott were excellent inside players and ruckman Dan McEwan did well. Defenders James Summerhayes, John Guthrie and Stephen Lyons combined well and provide great rebound for the Tigers.
The Cats were in very good form two weeks ago, they had the bye last week and will need to quickly get into stride against Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers or risk being overrun by the talented Tiger forward half.
This should be a tight, high standard game and one the Cats desperately need to win to establish themselves as a genuine chance and stay in touch with the top four sides. At home, the Tigers will probably put a halt to Woomelang Lascelles' improvement - at least for a short time.
By Jim Gordon