Round 10 Previews
DIVISION 1 with JASON BARBIN
Round 10 kicks off with two crucial match ups that could shake the ladder up.
East Malvern vs Dingley
Dingley will be looking to bounce back with a win against East Malvern in Round 10. The Dingoes have lost 2 out of their last 3 and need a win to stay in touch with the top 2. With the Vampires biting at their heels, this is a must win clash for Dingley.
Dingley by 31 points
East Brighton vs Highett
East Brighton has been playing much better football the last month and that form should continue against Highett this week. The Dogs are still winless but their first won’t come against a Vampire side that are really starting to hit their straps. This could be a blow out.
East Brighton by 54 points
St Kilda City vs Cheltenham
A must win clash for both sides if either are going to play finals footy in 2013. Cheltenham won the first clash at home in Round 1 but this time around it won’t be an easy task as the Saints are tough to beat at home. A really good match-up that should go down to the wire.
Cheltenham by 9 points
Heatherton vs St Pauls
When these two teams met in Round 1 the Dogs won by an astounding 171 points. The margin will be much, much closer the second time around as Heatherton have really improved over the last month. St Pauls will still win but the Tonners will put up a better fight.
St Pauls by 47 points
Chelsea Heights vs Clayton
The last match-up between these two teams was surrounded by controversy so expect this game to be a fiery one. A game that could go either way, both sides need a win to put some distance between them and the teams below them on the ladder. Expect another close encounter.
Chelsea Heights by 15 points
DIVISION 2 with THE FOOTY TRAGIC
Caulfield vs South Yarra
South Yarra will be keen to get on the winners list, and Caulfield is the team they should have their best chance against if you take notice of the ladder positions. However, they need to have improved by more that 10 goals to get close and will need Caulfield to be falling away in their form. I don’t think either of those scenarios will take place and the Bears should be comfortable winners here.
Hampton vs Mordialloc
Another one sided match in Round 1, in this return bout Hampton will be keen to show all of Division 2 that they are the real deal and can reverse the previous outcome. I think they will do a lot better this time around but Mordialloc will do enough to take the chocolates.
Oakleigh District vs Bentleigh
Oakleigh had a hard game against Moorabbin last week and Bentleigh put in a shocker. Last time Bentleigh were shock losers, they bounced back hard the next week and I expect them to do the same this week. Oakleigh won by 9 points at Bentleigh in Round 1, I’m going to go out on a limb and tip Bentleigh to win this by 10 points!
Skye vs Springvale Districts
Skye played their best game for a while last week and Springvale Districts have been playing great footy lately. This shapes as the match of the round and I think Skye will be doing their utmost to remain in finals contention. A loss here, whilst not fatal, will make their task unenviable. I believe there is only one position available; 5th spot. Skye has to win this and I think they will, if only just. The margin isn’t important but the win is vital.
Murrumbeena vs Moorabbin
The last game this week and Murrumbeena cannot afford to lose this. Moorabbin will do everything in their power to make sure they keep their finals chances alive. Like Skye, Moorabbin cannot afford many more losses and have to beat Murrumbeena if they are going to be finalists. If Murrumbeena plays to their ability, I can’t see them getting beaten, but Murrumbeena are very up and down with their form. I’m going to tip Moorabbin here, for no other reason than Murrumbeena’s inconsistent performances.
DIVISION 3 with GOOD WILL HUNTER
Now that we have reached the halfway point of the season, the ladder is now taking shape and we are getting a clearer indication of roughly where the teams will be finishing.
Doveton and Dandenong are two sides that will most likely be finishing in the upper echelons of the ladder. The two teams played out an absolute thriller in Round one and their return clash at Greaves Reserve is shaping to be a similarly close affair with both sides in terrific form. But with the Eagles unbeaten from nine starts, they should be able to get the points over the Redlegs.
After starting the year with seven straight wins, Mount Waverley are another club with an eye on a top two finish. They take on Black Rock who are probably just out of finals contention. Despite being down on form in recent weeks, the Mountain Lions will win comfortably here at Mayfield Reserve and aim to gather some momentum as they start the back nine.
At the start of the year I expected both Sandown and Ashwood to feature prominently in September, yet they currently find themselves potentially fighting for the last spot in the five. This is a must-win clash for both sides at Edinburgh Reserve. The Cobras’ performances can be as unpredictable as Melbourne’s weather, but at their best they can match it with the best. I’m tipping them to win, but not with much confidence.
Carrum Patterson Lakes have been very impressive in their debut SFL season and on their current form they look September bound, as I predicted. They travel to Hallam to take on the Hawks, who with just one win to their name have found it tough going in their second year. The Lions should win this one.
But Lyndale has been the real surprise packet of season 2013. Winless wooden spooners last year, the Pumas currently sit fifth with a 5-4 record. They take on Endeavour Hills, who it’s fair to say have struggled this year. They sit on the bottom without a win and although they are competitive at Barry Simon Reserve, it’s hard to see them getting up here.
UNDER 19s with GOOD WILL HUNTER
At the halfway mark of the season there is a logjam at the top of the ladder. Just two points separate Murrumbeena, Bentleigh and Skye and all three sides are playing brilliant footy. Coincidentally, two of these teams, the Demons and the Bombers clash this week at the Hangar. The last meeting between these two in Round one resulted in a draw, and this match is shaping to be just as close. But I think Skye will be benefited by the home ground advantage and narrowly edge out Bentleigh here.
In other Round 10 matches, Murrumbeena takes on fellow finals aspirant Dingley at Beena Arena. After assuming the mantle of ladder leaders this week, Beena will be looking to consolidate their premiership credentials with a big win. The Dingoes will put up a big fight, but I think Beena will be too good.
Over at the Toolbox, Hampton meets the winless Carrum Patterson Lakes. The Lions have now had two weeks off and will be primed for a big performance. However, the Hammers are the better side and will take the chocolates.
The last game sees Chelsea Heights host Clayton at Beazley Reserve. The Magpies have struggled for numbers at times this year but certainly not effort. They will be gallant again, but the Heighters will be buoyed after a solid outing at the Den last week and should win this at home.
