Past premiership glories will be relieved in round 18 of North Gippsland Football Netball, with one of the most successful sides in the past two decades Heyfield hosting the 10 year reunion of their 1999 flag.While Glengarry will welcome many of the side’s 1959 premiership team to their home ground as they celebrate the feats of the Magpies win against former club, Royal Australian Air Force.
The competitions top six sides will be aiming to create their own premiership glories come the middle of September, with the rampaging Kangaroos confirming their hold on flag favoritism each week.
Continuing to take everything before them, HEYFIELD have won 10 on the run with the side accounting for another finals contender Boisdale last week by four goals.
This week the Kangaroos will host the Dogs, who in past weeks have made a last ditch attack on the five and remain well in the hunt to snare an elimination final berth.
While City look to snatch fifth position, the Kangaroos sit on top the competition one game clear of nearest rival Churchill.
The Kangaroos form has been nothing but impressive, the side’s versatility and team effort week in week out has seen them gain momentum each round as the side marches towards finals.
Ball magnet Luke Conway has been dominant around the ground in past weeks and has given the Kangaroos forward line plenty of supply, with the on baller sure to draw plenty of attention from City’s engine room.
The Kangaroos have put themselves in a strong position to finish on top, and it is hard not to go past Heyfield claiming minor premiership honors.
SALE CITY was clinical in their 102 point demolition of Stratford, the win drawing the Dogs level on points with fifth placed Gormandale.
This week will see a rise in competition with the Dogs end of season credentials hinging on Saturdays result.
The match is seen as a must win for the side to keep in contention with next weeks opponent Gormandale, before a tough assignment in Boisdale in the final round.
It is a tough ask for any side but with the Dogs playing for a finals berth for the first time in over five seasons there is plenty of added incentive for City to rise to the challenge.
Holding firm in fifth position over past weeks, GORMANDALE have failed to close the door on the five with the Tigers now needing to hold off the fast finishing Dogs.
With the door ajar last years Grand Finalists will need to treat the remaining weeks as mini finals of their own, it the side is to confirm an elimination final berth.
Saturday sees the Tigers host the Boisdale Bombers, Gormandale claiming the points comfortably in their earlier meeting.
The Tigers can take comfort in the fact that they have knocked over Boisdale already this season, with the side having the better of the Bombers over past seasons.
Dropping the points last week, BOISDALE find themselves outside the top three with the final three rounds against Gormandale, Glengarry and Sale City imperative in the side’s quest for a double chance come finals.
Boasting an impressive track record on the road this season, it is hard not to look past the Bombers.
But as unpredictable as they are the Tigers have just as much to play for and will be aiming to blemish the Bombers away record.
Aiming for a top three finish a win this week will ensure Boisdale remain in the hunt, the Bombers relegated to fourth position by percentage from Woodside.
With the potential that the Tigers and Bombers may meet again in the knock out final, a win this week will boost both sides confidence if they are to meet again in a month’s time.
WOODSIDE held off a spirited Cowwarr to keep the race for the top three open.
The Wildcats have been shaky in past weeks and have felt the void left by coach Travis Ronaldson through injury.
Regaining third position the Wildcats are desperate to seal the double chance and make an attack on their first North Gippsland finals campaign.
However the side can’t look too far ahead, TTU come off the weeks break and surprised all earlier in the season with their demolition of Churchill.
Although the giant killers have been subdued since that day, the Bombers when in form are a competitive combination that can’t be taken lightly.
A close match is expected with the home ground advantage perhaps enough to see the Wildcats over the line.
With their season hopes done and dusted for 2009, GLENGARRY will be eager to finish the season on a winning note.
The Magpies will meet competition heavyweight CHURCHILL, who will receive a bolster to its line-up in coming weeks as they aim for a "big crack'' at back to back premierships.
Dean Jenkins and Scott Kelly among four quality stars running around in the reserves as they look to return into the senior lineup from injury.
The Cougars are not dissimilar to Heyfield, the side purring through the past month winning four from four.
The side’s next big test in the final round against Woodside.
But before them the Magpies await, and although their end of season hopes are gone the side will be looking to show the sides former stars what today’s current crop of players are capable of.
STRATFORD has been pumped by the opposition over the past two rounds, with the Swans keen to record another win before seasons end.
Their opponent COWWARR finds themselves in a similar situation.
The two sides sit on four wins for the season with it having been some time since each recorded their last victory.
The Saints however went agonisingly close last week, falling short by a point against Woodside.
With victory slipping from their grasp expect Cowwarr to come out firing from the first bounce, with a tough contest expected.
ROSEDALE has the BYE
By Lauren Carey
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|