Two crucial ladder changing games are the highlights of Round 14 as we start the final month of home and away footy...
Chelsea Heights vs Heatherton
Chelsea Heights take on Heatherton in what should be a one sided affair. The Heighters will look to win big as percentage will be a major factor in the final makeup of the ladder. They should get a decent boost in this game.
Chelsea Heights by 50 points.
East Malvern vs St Pauls
St Pauls take on East Malvern at Dunlop Reserve as they look to move one step closer to locking up the minor premiership for 2013. Last time these two teams met the Doggies won in triple figures. Unless East Malvern put in a better defensive performance the margin could blow out again.
St Pauls by 45 points.
East Brighton vs St Kilda City
East Brighton will look to solidify their top 2 spot while maintaining pressure on Dingley when they take on St Kilda City at Hurlingham Park. The Saints need a win too, as they look to jump ahead of Cheltenham for the final top 5 position. Match of the round and could go to the wire.
East Brighton by 13 points.
Cheltenham vs Clayton
Last time Cheltenham and Clayton met it was the latter that took the 4 points. This time around however the Rosellas are in better form despite a loss to Dingley last week. A win for either side could see them move a game clear in 5th spot. Will be a tight one.
Cheltenham by 20 points.
Highett vs Dingley
Highett take on Dingley as they still search for their first win of the season. It won’t come easy against the 2nd placed Dingoes who need the win to hold off the in-form Vampires and hold onto 2nd spot. Though they have lost these kinds of games in the past, don’t expect the Dingoes to take this one easy.
Dingley by 39 points.
DIVISION 2 with THE FOOTY TRAGIC
Bentleigh vs Springvale Districts
Hopefully the weather is better this week as this shapes as the match of the round. Springvale Districts are one of the form sides over the last few weeks, whereas Bentleigh has been a bit on the patchy side, dropping a few games that they should have easily won. Both sides will be keen to get a mental edge over the other as finals approach. I think Bentleigh will reign here but there shouldn’t be much in it
Skye vs Hampton
If this match goes Skye’s way, they could be a great chance to jump into 5th spot, depending on Murrumbeena’s performance. Hampton won’t make the finals, but will be keen to take as many scalps as it can for the rest of the season and would love to say they killed off someone else’s finals chances. That won’t happen this week; Skye has too much at stake and should be too good here.
Oakleigh District vs Caulfield
Oakleigh will be keen to extract revenge on the Bears for the earlier loss at Koornang Park this season. Caulfield will be keen to win to regain the “Chops Langkau Trophy” that these teams vie for each year they play each other. If both teams have won one game each against the other in a season, the winner of the trophy is the team who has the highest total score from both games. As Caulfield won by 16 points in Round 5, Oakleigh District need to win by 17 points or more to take the trophy while Caulfield need to just win or lose by less than 16 points to retain it. Game on! Oakleigh to win; no prediction on who takes out the “Chops Langkau Trophy”!
Moorabbin vs South Yarra
South Yarra’s season doesn’t seem to be getting any better. They finally get a game against a team only 2 spots above them on the ladder and not only do they have to play them away, but have to play a team on the rebound who will be keen to take out their frustrations from last week’s loss. Moorabbin will win this game.
Murrumbeena vs Mordialloc
This also could rate as game of the round. Mordialloc will be keen to get back on the winning list while Murrumbeena will be intent on holding onto fifth spot on the ladder.
A Murrumbeena loss combined with a Skye victory would see the first change in the make up of the five since early in the season. All that being said, this is the hardest game for me to select the winner. I can never seem to pick Murrumbeena correctly (they seem to delight in proving me wrong), but I still have to go on gut feel. Gut feel tells me Mordialloc, so Murrumbeena should be happy with that; as previously stated, they love to prove me wrong!
DIVISION 3 with GOOD WILL HUNTER
With just five games remaining before finals, every win is crucial for the sides within reach of a finals berth. And Round 14 is set to throw up some terrific clashes that could have some serious ramifications for those finals aspirants.
The first of these games is at Mayfield Reserve between Mount Waverley and Sandown. The Cobras are still a chance of making the finals, but a loss here will be a massive blow. A win could also put them in the box seat with a couple of winnable games ahead. With so much on the line, I expect a spirited performance from Sandown, but on their efforts to date I think the Mountain Lions will be too good.
Lyndale current holds fifth spot by the skin of their teeth. They host Carrum Patterson Lakes at Barry Powell Reserve. The Lions are in good form and look almost assured of a maiden finals appearance. Both sides are more than capable of winning this game, but on recent form I have to tip Carrum Patterson Lakes to get the points.
The sixth-placed Ashwood travels to Barry Simon Reserve to take on the winless Endeavour Hills. This is a golden opportunity for them to bridge the percentage gap between them and the Pumas and I reckon the Magpies will be ruthless and win this one easily.
Black Rock faces the toughest road trip in Division 3: Doveton at Power Reserve. I have liked the look of Black Rock in recent weeks, but unfortunately the Eagles are looking almost unbeatable at the moment. Doveton to win comfortably.
Lastly, Dandenong plays Hallam at Greaves Reserve. The Redlegs will be out to consolidate their spot in the five with a big win over the struggling Hawks and I reckon they will get home in a canter.
Hopefully the weather is a little nicer this weekend...
UNDER 19s with GOOD WILL HUNTER
Headlining Round 14 is the game of the round between Murrumbeena and St Pauls at Murrumbeena. These two sides are pretty evenly matched, and this one is really a toss of the coin. I’m tipping Beena at home in a nail-biter.
Clayton’s draw doesn’t get any easier this week, up against Bentleigh at Bentleigh. I expect a similarly defiant performance from the Clays, but I don’t think they can topple the ladder leaders.
Hampton travels down to the Hangar to face the Bombers. The Hammers have been in good form and will be refreshed after last week’s bye, however, Skye are always tough to beat at home and I think they will get the points here.
The final game is Carrum Patterson Lakes and Dingley at Roy Dore Reserve. The Dingoes are three wins clear of sixth and a victory here will just about book them a finals berth. With that in the back of their minds I think they will put in a big effort and bounce back from last week’s shocker.
