Round 3 Preview
The ANZAC round of footy and netball awaits us all with three games on Saturday and the two on ANZAC Day which is Monday. The reminder that our brave men and women fought for our freedom and way of life we still enjoy in our beautiful country is never to be forgotten. Lest We Forget.
Saturday’s games will see of the two most evenly contest possible and another that will really test the much-improved Roos down at Wangaratta.
Yarrawonga snatched a pulsating victory over Lavington at Mulwala last Sunday which should have them cherry ripe in its first true game at the JC Lowe Oval.
Expect to see classy midfielders Willie Wheeler and Michael Gibbons both included in the side to further boost its midfield power. Gibbons was a surprise late omission against Lavington.
Myrtleford themselves should welcome back co coaches Jake Sharpe and Dawson Simpson in what looms as the game of the season for mine.
If the bookies have trouble declaring a favourite in the Yarrawonga stoush well good luck doing the same when Lavington host Wangaratta Rovers under lights. The Panthers controlled seventy percent of last weeks game at Mulwala but just could not put the Pigeons away as they wasted big chances in front of the big sticks. The Rovers after a tough start to the year did enough to keep the Raiders at bay and will welcome back ruckman Shane Gaston and Todd Bryant. The Panthers attack on the ball is as good as side in the competition with young midfielders Ben Ashley Cooper, Aiden Cook and Shaun Driscoll showing improvement.
Just how do you stop the Wangaratta juggernaut – that is the question confronting Corowa Rutherglen coach Peter German and players. The Roos would have been disappointed not to have been able to defeat the undermanned Tigers last week in front of a huge home Easter crowd. The Pies eleven goal second quarter took the stuffing out of the Bulldogs last week. Their powerful midfield and forward set up is just outstanding – oh and that defence aint bad either!
The local derby on ANZAC day is even bigger than normal with both the Raiders and Doggies searching for their first win. The Dogs have had a brutal draw with matches against last years minor premier Albury and this year’s flag fancy Wangaratta. Raiders won plenty of admirers last Saturday and with a host of players returning from a Covid exodus they will fancy the chances of a upset. In the end it is pretty simple – if you are a genuine finals contender you win this derby clash. Reminder that this game starts at 3.00pm.
The final match is another ANZAC day derby with Albury fresh from a great win at Corowa taking on the North Albury Hoppers at the Albury Sportsground. The Tigers overcame plenty of Covid omissions last week and with a wealth of talent returning like Anthony Miles, Shaun Daly, Luke Daly and Brayden Ohara they look winners. Can the Hoppers string together more than just one or two good quarters? Their best football has been superb – they just need to bring it more often.
Another milestone in the netball with popular Lavington Panther Ange DeMamiel playing her 200th senior game against Rovers. DeMamiel started in 2005 and played in the 2013 Panther premiership, she should celebrate a win against the winless Rovers in the Optus O&M TV Live streamed game. The Rovers are not far off a win with its average losing margin across three games being six goals. Lavington are coming off a sensational win over Yarrawonga.
The top of the table clash is yet another highlight of round three with Corowa Rutherglen travelling to Wangaratta – the scene of the epic 2019 grand final won by the Pies. Both teams are unbeaten, in form and extremely hungry to make another title tilt. The Roos hold a slight percentage advantage on the ladder.
Yarrawonga will be keen to rebound from last weeks surprise loss, while Myrtleford themselves were shocked at home against North Albury.
The Saints only win so far was a narrow one goal win over Rovers, while Yarrawonga have a win and a loss from its two outings.
The finals fortunes of both Albury and North Albury could well be on the line on Monday with a loss by either side leaving the top five hopes in dangerous waters. The Hoppers led by Em Browne have momentum and confidence, while Albury were never in the hunt last Saturday against the Roos.
Wodonga Raiders will be hoping to keep its position in the five with a win over bottom placed Wodonga on Sunday. The Raiders will start favourite but need to be wary of a much-improved Bulldogs who despite no wins yet have showed dramatic improvement. The Bulldogs will be looking to break a long drought when they run onto the court, with its last win June 8th 2019 – 1052 days ago when they beat Wangaratta Rovers on Monday.
