Zartan wrote:D6 Ladder after Round 7:
14 - West Croydon
12 - Woodville South
12 - Ingle Farm
10 - Brahma Lodge
06 - Houghton Districts
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04 - Trinity OS
04 - Mawson Lakes
04 - Adelaide Lutheran
02 - Mitchell Park
02 - Fitzroy
Round 8:
Woodville South v Brahma Lodge: Match of the round for me, Brahma Lodge smarting from their defeat at the hands of Ingle Farm venture out to an equally big oval at Ledger Reserve. A real 'Jekyll & Hyde' performance Saturday from the Lodge - for as poor as they were in the first half, they were equally as brilliant in the 2nd half. Closing the gap to just 7pts early in the last quarter, mostly off the back of Grgurovic, Brooks and Cosenza, the Tigers were unfortunately unable to capitalise on momentum and stop the Ingle Farm forwards responding (recorded zero R50). Smashed in contested possession's in the last, looked wonderful moving the ball forward, and Huitema was brilliant all day, but just failed to respond defensively. Larger ground perhaps tested them a bit more. Life doesn't get any easier though, and they need to turn it around quickly as they run into the Cats train running express towards a Grand Final. 40 point winners away from home against Mitchell Park, the Cats from Woody South recorded 27 scoring shots to 12 - a flogging in anyone's book. Dankiewicz showed he cant be kepy quiet two weeks in a row, responding to that form he showed during the early rounds to continue catching the attention of the umpires, while Burns is proving consistent with another strong supporting performance. Clark and McNeil add to a rather dangerous forward line. The quiet achievers this year so far, Woody South aren't putting a foot wrong, but they'll be tested this weekend. With two potent forward lines, who ever can win the defensive battle will win this game. Brahma need to respond and I think they will. 1-12 points.
Adelaide Lutheran v Mitchell Park: Luthies will be keen to be back in the parklands this week after missing an opportunity to secure an away win at the hands of TOS Saturday. Koenig and Borgas continue to battle hard for the 'Dogs while Denny Murphy appears to be a rare shining light up forward. Struggling for consistency, they need more from some of their younger brigade. Youlten, Exton, Elms need to lift. a win keeps Lutheran in the finals hunt, and clear of the relegation zone. Mitchell Park on the other hand, would be heading into this game quietly confident despite occupying 9th position on the ladder. The Lions have proven extremely competitive over the course of the season, but have lacked the class to finish games off, and potentially let a few wins slip. A strong line up on paper featuring Hyde, Weekley, Farrell, Balsack and McDonnell up forward, it wont be long until this side clicks and starts to pick up some wins. A vital game for both sides, particularly Mitchell Park, they'll be desperate to get themselves out of the relegation zone. I think they may claim a scalp this week, and it'll be the Lions by 24 points - McDonnell to kick 6.
Houghton Districts v Ingle Farm: Houghton roared back into finals contention Saturday with a hard fought narrow 2 point win against Mawson Lakes. Responding from a 6 goal to 3 first quarter, the Raiders led by Bray, Vandermoer and Hall worked their way back into the contest and held out long enough to secure the victory. Great to see Ballatori amongst the best in the A grade, a great servant for Houghton for a long time. Keetch named in the side I see, no doubt would've provided pivotal leadership. This week home again, they host Ingle Farm, fresh off a strong win against Brahma Lodge. Captain Dan Bryant led the way with a scintillating 5 goal haul, and the 'Dogs weren't reliant on Lynch so much this week to kick their goals. De Nieuwe's 4 goal haul came in quick time as well. Ingle Farm dominated the contested possession, and will need to do so again this week on the smaller Houghton Oval if they're to continue this winning form. Raiders are a much better side at home, they love the dung hill, it'll be interesting to see how Ingle Farm adapt, but I think the gap between the top sides and the rest is beginning to open up a bit more, and Ingle Farm should be too strong in a low scoring contest.
Mawson Lakes v Fitzroy: Mawson Lakes must be asking themselves what they did to deserve the bad luck? Selling cans out of eskys perhaps? Footy gods have punished them for their selfish ways? Once again another week, another slipped opportunity in a close match. Kennett's 5 goal haul not enough for his side. Brayden Bennett a couple of goals and amongst the best, a handy acquisition at CHF for the Lakes but they need more out of more players and cant afford to rely on the same names each week. Haydon promoted from the B grade failed to impact on the game. Fitzroy haven't had a good year at all and aren't shying away from that fact, but on the weekend they came within a quarter of causing arguably the upset of the season, as they trained West Croydon by just 16 points at 3/4 time. Missing Cotter up forward hurt the Lions, but allowed some of the younger budding players to step up, with Skeer and Page leading the way. Nelson and Smith need to lift this week to give the 'Roys a chance, and I think they'd be heading into this clash buoyed by their efforts and full of confidence against a Lakes side that would be a bit deflated and mentally weakened. Toss the coin for this clash, but if Cotter returns I back the 'Roys.
West Croydon v Trinity OS: Well the unbeatable Hawks got their biggest fright Saturday, leaving it until the last quarter to flex their muscles and put away Fitzroy. O'Toole continues to kick goals at ease this season, while Nichols and Symons are ripping sides apart. The loss of Sumner is a massive blow to the Hawks, but their depth is far too great and should be able to cover with ease. Too many quick runners, and efficient by foot they'll be dangerous at home this week against a Trinity side that managed to grind out a tough win against Lutheran Saturday. Lamont led the way with 4 goals, and was well supported by Perry with 3. Two dangerous players who don't need many kicks to impact and hurt opposition sides - rarely miss. Cameron and Pounendis continue to be consistent for the Lions and Cotter is slowly easing into the season. They'll be looking to build momentum from their win this weekend, and what better way to bounce back than to knock off the flag favourite's on their home turf! Unfortunately cant see it happening, they'll be up against it to control the spread and run of West Croydon and nullify that potent forward line. Will be closer than most expect though I think.
Love reading your reviews Zartan, you put work in to it which is good. 4 from 5 to win away, I think not.
Woody Sth are the best team we have played thus far, structured, hard at it, skilful and building. One day they will kick straight and it's all over. I reckon they will beat Brahma at home by their average, 10 points.
Luthies will defeat the happless MP by 15/20. Been a tough 3 weeks for the Lions with IF away, Brahma away and then Woody Sth. Gunna take more than 7 days to get the heads right.
Farmers way too strong for Houghton, the Raiders are hanging in there but the cream rises to the top.
The Lakers are a good side and will beat Fitzroy at home and keep their finals aspirations alive.
The mighty West Croydon Hawks at home by plenty.
As I have said many weeks ago the top 4 are set. Relegation goes from 5 to 10.
