Round 11 Previews
DIVISION 1 with JASON BARBIN
Round 11 features two big games that could have a big effect on ladder positions come the end of the season.
Cheltenham vs East Malvern
Cheltenham take on East Malvern in what is a must win game for the Rosellas. A big win could push them into 5th spot if other results go their way. East Malvern also need a win to put a little distance between themselves and cellar dwellers Highett.
Cheltenham by 19 points.
St Pauls vs East Brighton
Easily the match of the round. St Pauls take on a red hot Vampires outfit looking to get revenge after a Round 2 defeat. The Doggies will go in as favourite but don’t count out the Vampires who are in better form. A battle of the 2 best midfields in the league, this match-up will easily go down to the wire and will be an instant classic.
St Pauls by 1 point.
Clayton vs St Kilda City
Another important clash sees Clayton take on St Kilda City at Meade Reserve in a battle for 5th spot on the ladder. Both teams need a win and on recent form, St Kilda City should have an edge. But Clayton will be looking to turn their form around.
St Kilda City by 12 points.
Dingley vs Heatherton
Dingley take on Heatherton at Souter Reserve in what should be a comfortable victory for the Dingoes. Expect Heatherton to put up a fight though as they continue to impress with a better brand of football. Football is a funny game and Dingley have let their guard down in the past. If they do so again this could be an upset.
Dingley by 26 points.
Highett vs Chelsea Heights
Highett’s search for their first win of the season doesn’t get any easier when they take on Chelsea Heights at Turner Road Reserve in Round 11. The Heighters have been impressive the last month as they look to hold onto a top 2 spot on the ladder. With a decent percentage a must have for the top 4 sides, expect Chelsea Heights to come out firing.
Chelsea Heights by 52 points.
DIVISION 2 with THE FOOTY TRAGIC
Mordialloc vs Caulfield
Mordialloc should have all the answers for Caulfield this week. They outclassed the Bears at Koornang Park in Round 2 and I can’t see the Bears getting any advantage out of the larger ground at Mordialloc. Caulfield are playing better as their new players begin to gel together, but Mordialloc will be too good on this occasion and will win comfortably.
Bentleigh vs Murrumbeena
This is a danger game for Murrumbeena. They have to win this to hold 5th spot and if they lose, they need to “just” lose; they can’t afford too much (if any) damage to their percentage. Bentleigh bounced back to form and won well last week at Oakleigh, and providing they don’t slacken off, they should win this game. Murrumbeena will make them earn it but I still think Bentleigh should be able to answer every challenge.
South Yarra vs Skye
This is the chance for Skye to jump into the 5. Even at South Yarra’s home ground, there shouldn’t be any fears for Skye and this is a chance to boost their already healthy percentage. However, in saying that, they need to make sure they all put in. If they take the attitude that the game is won before they run on the ground they might just get a nasty shock. It wouldn’t be the first time they lose the 'un-lose-able' (Caulfield in 2011 won one game for the season against the unbackable Skye Bombers)!
Springvale Districts vs Oakleigh District
This shapes up as the match of the round. Both teams were defeated last week and will be keen to get back on the winner’s list. A loss will also give the victors a mental edge come Finals time. Oakleigh won the previous encounter by 15 points, but I’m tipping Springvale to turn the tables and win this by 15 points. Should be a ripper game.
Moorabbin vs Hampton
The last game this week sees the local derby between these 'best of enemies'. Hampton won the Round 2 game by 16 points. Moorabbin have a much better team now and should give Hampton a harder time this time around. The loser of this should kill off their Finals aspirations. It will definitely make it an onerous task where they rely on other teams to lose games to keep their dreams alive. Gut instinct tells me Moorabbin here, but it will be tight.
DIVISION 3 with GOOD WILL HUNTER
Round 11 kicks off with the in-form Carrum Patterson Lakes hosting Mount Waverley at Roy Dore Reserve. The Mountain Lions won easily in their first encounter with the SFL newcomers, but CPL have found their mojo with a mid-season purple patch that sees them well-placed for a top-four finish. In this sort of form, they will not be pushovers. Having said that, Mount Waverley looked to be back to their destructive best last Saturday (albeit for two brutal quarters) and on that performance they should get the points.
Sandown travels to Barry Powell Reserve for their clash with Lyndale. The Pumas were clinical last Saturday, but have been hot and cold in recent weeks. In contrast, Sandown have been a tipster’s nightmare (well, for this columnist at least – I am virtually the Kiss of Death for Sandown matches!). The reality is it’s almost impossible to back a winner in this game. I’m tipping Lyndale, but watch the Cobras prove me wrong.
Black Rock’s draw doesn’t get any easier as it hosts Dandenong at McDonald Reserve. Despite what the final margin suggests, the Jets were very competitive for two quarters against one of Division 3’s best sides last week, but they must maintain that effort for the full four quarters if they are to upset Dandenong. The Redlegs are coming off a rare loss, but I think they will bounce back with a win here.
Over at Essex Heights Reserve, Ashwood will be keen for a big win over Hallam to keep alive its finals hopes. They currently sit a game out of the five, but its percentage does it no favours. Hallam probably won’t win this one, but I think they will get a lot closer than the 58-point belting the Magpies dished out in Round two.
The final match sees Endeavour Hills pitted against Doveton at Power Reserve – the winless up against the undefeated. Footy is a funny game sometimes – as anyone that witnessed Geelong lose the unloseable against the Brisbane Lions last week can attest. But I can’t see a similar shock occurring here, and given how well the Eagles are playing at the minute, this could get ugly for Endeavour Hills.
UNDER 19s with GOOD WILL HUNTER
Headlining this week’s matches is the top-of-the-table clash between Bentleigh and Murrumbeena at Bentleigh Reserve. Beena have been terrific this year, but the Demons are starting to hit form at the right time as they build towards finals and on that basis they should come away with the points.
St Pauls returns from the bye to take on Hampton at McKinnon Reserve. The Hammers will be heartened by their gritty win last week, but despite their solid performance, I think the Doggies will come out firing after the week off and will win at home.
Over at Meade Reserve, Clayton hosts Skye. The Magpies aren’t getting reward for effort this season, but they have come up against the Bombers at their right time. Skye aren’t playing well at the minute, so this will potentially go down to the wire. I am tipping the Bombers in a close one.
The final game sees Chelsea Heights travel to Roy Dore Reserve to meet Carrum Patterson Lakes. Although CPL have been much improved since their first game, the Heighters looked too good last week for me not to tip them here.
