EDFL round 5 will produce the first big showdown of the season when the top of the table and undefeated Nyora host last seasons runners up Warragul Industrials - who sit second on the ladder after the opening month.
Nyora v Warragul Industrials
The Saints will be out to prove they are a team to be reckoned with when they clash with the Dusties. Nyora have been the big improvers this season. It is worthy of note that it lost by 70 and then 77 points when it met Warragul Industrials last season. This season the Saints boast a very handy three-pronged attack with the arrival of Ryan Spooner and Ben Schultz to support the clever IIan Osman. Still hard to go past the Dusties. Tyson Bale wins a stack of the ball and Shane Brewster, Josh Peterson, Mick Ablett along with new recruits forward Jack Blakey and utility Mitch Davies suggest the visitors will be hard to topple.
Catani v Buln Buln
The reigning premiers host the Lyrebirds. Fair to say the Blues did not expect to sit outside the top five after the first four rounds. Owen Fitzpatrick continues to be a presence in front of the big sticks. He bagged six last week and is well on target to surpass the 1000 goal mark this season having kicked 980 so far in his EDFL career. Buln Buln have plenty of youngsters and scope for improvement led by Jake Pierrehumbert, Mat Nottman and Braydon Allen to show plenty this year but it would be a big ask to upset the Blues away from home.
Neerim South v Longwarry
The Cats record after four rounds reads no wins and four losses which paints the picture of what is likely to occur when they meet the Crows – who sit well placed early on with three wins. Neerim is in a rebuilding stage. Got to love the efforts of Nathan Bayne, Jackson Ward, Aaron Fawcett and Dean Stringer who have led the way after losing a heap of players in the off season. Longwarry played with plenty of self-assurance last week to beat Catani. Every time it was pressed it responded. Russell Lehman was a bull in and around midfield, ruckman Nick Redley with some good work behind the centre looks a far better player on return to the club and through the middle there was plenty to like about Corey Lenders, Riley Rundell, Danny Wells and Cole Cook.
Poowong v Nilma Darnum
The Magpies will be looking to jag its first win when it hosts the Bombers. The opening month has been the source of frustration for its supporters. Poowong’s percentage sits at a healthy 82 which is very good for a team second last on the ladder and more representative of their competitiveness. Jayden Sullivan, Tim Hancock and Jaemeel Kneckt always prove hard to pass in defence. While not overly convincing the Bombers have snuck up to third position with three wins. Ruckman Logan Deschepper and forward Jack Jarred who kicked four goals last week have taken their game to new levels this season. Got a hunch the Magpies will upset the visitors.
Ellinbank v Lang Lang
The Eagles host the Tigers. It will be hard to find a punter to pick Lang Lang. The Bankers have mixed their form but with three victories have shown far more than the visitors. Coach Ben Wragg missed last week and the Bankers can ill afford him sidelined as Mick Urie is also injured and Daniel Barrand retired after their round three loss which has deprived the Bankers of a lot of on field experience. Lang Lang is yet to kick 10 goals in any match over the opening month. Ben Barwick with five goals is the only Tiger to average more than a goal a game.
At 37 years of age Tiger war horse Stuart Casey continues to work hard and make presence felt in the ruck this year. Ellinbank should win comfortably.
SELECTIONS
ELLINBANK v Lang Lang
Nyora v WARRAGUL INDUSTRIALS
CATANI v Buln Buln
Neerim South v LONGWARRY
POOWONG v Nilma Darnum
Last Modified on 04/05/2018 13:18