Hello and welcome to this new addition to the countryfootyscores site, where I hope to keep you informed of how each club in the 2007 Bendigo Bank Central Highlands Football League is traveling.

 

In addition to a weekly match report, each week I will provide a brief preview for that Saturday’s matches, and a review of the round just completed.

 

I also hope to be able to provide news and some player/coach profiles through the year.

 

 

This week is the last round before the Competition Bye for the Queens Birthday weekend, and while we haven’t yet reached the halfway point of the season, wins are starting to become critical, with only 8 points separating 4th (Learmonth) and 10th (Bungaree) ladder positions.

 

More wet conditions are likely this Saturday, as the parched central Victorian landscape soaks up welcome rain. I have been amazed at the standard of the grounds presented this year, beautiful green surfaces are a testament to the hard work and innovation of all the CHFL clubs, and leave some better funded grounds in the region looking very ordinary by comparison.

 

Learmonth, in particular, is a surface most AFL clubs would be proud of in this, the 10th year of drought.

 

Add the development of Buninyong’s brand new home ground, in use for the first time this week, and Beaufort’s brilliant new pavilion and rooms, and you can see why the CHFL is fast becoming the envy of many other country Leagues.

 

So, on to this week’s matches.

Buninyong v Ballan at Buninyong Sports Complex,

 

All games on Saturday, Seniors commence at 2.10 pm.

 

 

*Buninyong will run out on their brand new ground this week for the first time, when they take on Ballan. The Porter Industries Bombers have started the season slowly, but getting out onto their big new ground may be just the spark they need.

 

Last week the Bombers found some touch, delivering a big win over Gordon, with Shannon Berriman a big influence on the game across half forward. The Malcolm Scott coached Ballan will be a tough nut to crack however, with top line players returning and finding some form recently, including Hayden Cartledge and Salesi Uhi.

 

 

*Hepburn, steered by super Coach Shane Robertson, should hold too many aces against the rapidly improving Newlyn, the ‘Burra very difficult to beat up there in Spa country.

Hepburn currently sit in third spot, one game behind leaders Daylesford and Waubra. Andy McKay has been starring early in the season, while last week Lee Cox booted 8 as Hepburn accounted for Ballan.

 

 

*Creswick host Daylesford, and the Carworks Wickers will look to make this game a scrap from the outset, to limit Daylesford’s running game on the smallish Creswick ground.

 

Throw in some muddy conditions and this game might be a lot closer in the final result than many would expect.

 

Creswick stalwart Tim Rieniets can be expected to make life difficult for Daylesford’s forwards, but the Bulldogs have many scoring options, and should cruise away to a comfortable win.

 

 

*If the rain is belting in on Saturday the best place to watch some footy might well be from Beaufort’s stunning new pavilion.

 

Sheltered under its towering roof, you will be able to see the Crows host Clunes in what will be a cracking contest.

 

Neither Beaufort nor the Glenn Handley led Magpies will be satisfied with their current status, and the feathers will fly as these two proud clubs search for their second win of the year.

 

 

*Reigning Premier Waubra is the other unbeaten team after six rounds, and it would be hard to imagine the Eagles will have the firepower to combat the “Roos big gun forward, Lee Brown, who booted 11 majors last week to take his season tally to 37, 10 clear on top of the goal kickers leader board.

 

A feature of Brown’s game is his deadly accuracy, and classic left footers’ fluid kicking, a joy to watch.

 

Waubra coach Shane Skontra is canny enough to know his boys will still need to perform well against the undermanned Eagles, as percentages are likely to be important in determining ladder positions later in the year.

 

 

*Bungaree’s Bryce Nicholson is one of the CHFL’s biggest stars, and the big hearted forward has been in great touch lately, including last week’s great game in the loss to Learmonth.

 

Nicholson could provide some headaches for Springbank, while down the other end Andrew Tranquilli will want to add another bag to the 27 goals he has already kicked this year.

 

Springbank have been the big improver this year, and will want to get back on the winners list to maintain their position in the five.

 

This will be a ripping clash from start to finish. Bungaree are better than their current ladder position suggests, and at home will push the Tigers to the limit.

 

 

*Dunnstown has returned 3 wins so far and will be looking for a scalp in the sides above them, while Learmonth will be out to prove they are the real deal and genuine final’s prospects.

 

That all sets up this game nicely, as the “Towners will fancy themselves at home to upset the 4th placed Learmonth.

 

Dunnstown may elect to play a man on man style to combat Learmonth’s running brigade, who can break up the lines as they launch attack from behind the center.

 

A big crowd will see a beauty here, with some of the league’s best talent on display in Learmonth’s Chris McGuigan and Dunnstown’s Jaye Cahir just two of the men worth the admission alone.