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This week's edition of the SFNL Record can be viewed HERE.

 

SFNL MATCH OF THE DAY

ST KILDA CITY vs MORDIALLOC

 V 

Peanut Farm, Blessington Street, St Kilda - 2:15pm

Listen to the SFNL Radio Team's commentary live on 88.3 Southern FM from 2:00pm or live stream the radio broadcast and get all live scores at sfnllive.com.au.

 

 

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DIVISION 1 – Round 6 Preview

With Good Will Hunter

@Will_Hunter89

BENTLEIGH vs EAST MALVERN (Bentleigh Reserve)

 V 

This one is huge – the undefeated Demons play host to a resurgent East Malvern who, save for an underwhelming performance in Round 3 (which was partly due to the five-day turnaround from their ANZAC Day clash) has been red hot.

While Dingley has jumped into standalone premiership favouritism, these two sides aren’t far behind, so you can look forward to a high-quality contest.

Both teams had players involved in interleague last Saturday, include Bentleigh’s Kayne O’Brien and Panthers’ pair Ed Sim and Nathan Robinson. But Demon Matt Troutbeck was close to BOG with his stellar five-goal performance. If the Richmond VFL-listed forward lines up for the Dees again on Saturday, expect the Bentleigh forward line, which also features Paddy Nicholls and James Robertson, to prove too much for the East Malvern defence and kick a winning score.

 

CHELTENHAM vs ST PAULS (Jack Barker Oval)

 V 

St Pauls are looking more and more like the West Coast Eagles of the SFNL – very good at home, but struggle on the road. Their record stands 2-0 at the Kennel, 0-3 in away games this year, and a loss here to the underperforming Rosellas will only further that reputation.

We’ve seen glimpses of Cheltenham’s best this year, which is certainly good enough, but they haven’t been able to string four quarters together. If you can’t do that, then you can’t expect to win too many games of Division 1 footy.

St Pauls should be too strong here.

 

CLAYTON vs EAST BRIGHTON (Meade Reserve)

 V 

A month ago this game would have been a fait accompli for Clayton, but with their playing list ravaged by injury and unavailability, this clash against cellar-dwellars East Brighton looms as a danger game for the club.

With just one win from five starts in 2016, the Clays’ season is in danger of becoming an unmitigated disaster after early promise and hopes of finals. They will need a big win here to get their season back on track.

The Vampires, meanwhile, are the only remaining winless team in the competition and have be demolished in most of the games they have played so far. They will be competitive, but it’s hard to see them winning this.

 

ST KILDA CITY vs MORDIALLOC (Peanut Farm)

 V 

It will be a different look for St Kilda City this week as they run out on to the Peanut Farm in St Kilda’s 2015 Indigenous Round AFL guernsey for their clash with Mordialloc to commemorate this weekend’s Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round.

While all of the Mordi boys enjoyed the week off last Saturday, Saints Ricky Thomson and Ayang Nyanjok carved in up in the Senior and Under 18 Interleague clashes respectively. Expect the duo to again have an impact on Saturday.

Mordialloc will enter this clash as warm favourites, but City have the wood over Mordialloc, upsetting the eventual runners-up in their last meeting at home the penultimate round of 2015. The Bloods haven’t tasted success too often at the Peanut Farm, which has become a bogey venue for them, and on that basis I’m tipping an upset here.

 

OAKLEIGH DISTRICT vs DINGLEY (Princes Highway Reserve)

 V 

The biggest test of all for the Division 1 newcomers, who have surprised a few, including this columnist, with their competitiveness in the top grade. Three straight wins against bottom four opponents saw inflated opinions of the team, but we learnt more about what this side is capable of when they pushed premiership contenders East Malvern and Bentleigh all the way in recent weeks.

Dingley, however, continue to go from strength to strength, and their percentage of 232.39% is testament to their dominance. They should get the chocolates in this one, but Oakleigh will make them earn it.

 

 

DIVISION 2 – Round 7 Preview

With Jason Barbin

@JBarbin10

Most of the players are now raring to go after enjoying a weekend off thanks to the WorkSafe AFL Victoria Community Championships but now the SFNL is back in action with some ripping games lined up for Round 7.

 

CHELSEA HEIGHTS vs MURRUMBEENA (Beazley Reserve)

 V 

This is one of the matches of the round due to its intriguing nature. Chelsea Heights are sitting comfortably in third on the ladder with four wins but has been far from convincing so far this season with the availability of Phil Smith seemingly determining which Heighters team shows up. Murrumbeena on the other hand hasn’t put together a four quarter performance this season but was impressive against Hampton in round six.

Chelsea Heights by six points.

 

CAULFIELD vs HEATHERTON (Koornang Park)

 V 

Both sides have improved this season and both will be keen for a victory after losses in Round 6. The Bears should go into this match as favourites, however, having been the stronger side this season and they loom as a legitimate premiership contender. Heatherton may give them a run for their money but the Tonners will find it tough to get the win.

Caulfield by 22 points.

 

BLACK ROCK vs PORT MELBOURNE COLTS (McDonald Reserve)

 V 

The Jets have shown some good form throughout the year but will struggle to match up with the ever dominant Colts line up. Undefeated through six rounds, Port Melbourne should be too strong and will lock up its seventh win of the season.

Port Melbourne by 49 points.

 

HAMPTON vs SKYE (Peterson Street Reserve)

 V 

Skye will be itching to take to the field after two weeks on the sidelines after having the bye in Round 6. Hampton on the other hand will be keen to atone for a thoroughly disappointing loss to Murrumbeena which saw it lead by nearly five goals at quarter time. Skye has been flying slightly under the radar so far in 2016 but a win here to move into the top four will set it up for the rest of the season.

 

SPRINGVALE DISTRICTS vs HIGHETT (Springvale Reserve)

 V 

The Districts surprised many, including myself, in Round 6 when they got within two points of Chelsea Heights. This is good form for a Springvale side which has been disappointing the last couple of seasons but are looking on the up and up. Unfortunately for them the Dogs are also in good form and seemed to have shrugged the Dr Jekyll and My Hyde tag. For now.

Highett by 30 points.

 

BYE: KEYSBOROUGH

 

DIVISION 3 – Round 7 Preview

With Andrew Paloczi

@Apaloczi

LYNDALE vs ASHWOOD (Barry Powell Reserve)

 V 

Ashwood has three wins on the trot, including a one-point triumph over premiership contender Doveton.

Lyndale was looking in good form before crashing to earth in an uncompetitive showing against Mount Waverley.

This must have dented the Pumas’ confidence. Expect a better effort from them this week, but not enough of an improvement to claim the points against the Magpies.

 

SANDOWN vs DANDENONG (Edinburgh Reserve)

 V 

This may be an interesting game between two of the division’s struggling teams.

Don’t expect a pretty game, but the effort and tackling should be fierce as these teams see a golden opportunity to taste victory.

 

SOUTH YARRA vs CARRUM PATTERSON LAKES (Fritsch Holzer Park)

 V 

This time a week really does seem a long time in footy, as overworked as that cliché is.

Last week, few would have rated Carrum Patterson Lakes a realistic chance against South Yarra.

After CPL’s breakthrough win against Moorabbin, hope has been renewed.

South Yarra should still have the better of its fellow Lions.

CPL has restored pride, but hasn’t won over this tipster yet.

 

LYNDHURST vs DOVETON EAGLES (Marriott Waters Reserve)

 V 

Third placed Doveton have too much firepower for Lyndhurst. Expect a bag of goals from Darren Ramsdale and a substantial win for the Eagles.

 

MOORABBIN vs MOUNT WAVERLEY (Widdop Crescent)

 V 

Moorabbin’s poor start to the season was compounded with a round 5 loss at the hands of previously winless CPL.

The Kangaroos lack the depth to win this contest against top side Mount Waverley.

The Mountain Lions have an abundance of scoring options and it will be a big ask for Moorabbin to curtail the likes of Luke Galle and James Gough.

 

HALLAM vs ENDEAVOUR HILLS (Hallam Reserve)

 V 

This clash under the gentle lights at Hallam Reserve promises to be an entertaining affair.

Hallam has surpassed expectations this season to sit second on the ladder.

But Endeavour Hills is also a vastly improved unit in 2016.

The Hawks start favourites and deservedly so, but it may take quite a while for them to get a winning advantage.