TAILEM Bend did the job pretty efficiently last week while Mannum only fell over the line.
The score line is one-all and Saturday is the decider.
Tailem Bend are rated a silly chance after last week.
The return of Tony Lynch, Mitch Vickers and Brad Bell steadied the ship last week, Damien Raidis is the umpire’s best pal and we are all hoping Laurie Rankine’s five goals was not a flash in the pan.
Tailem Bend are one game clear and in the box seat to play finals and Mathew Dent knows that if he jags this one he is home and hosed.
The Eagles are using a lot of young players.
Dylan Hogarth is one of the better young players going around, but Dent is playing Jason Schulz and Mathew Krueger as well as promoting Simon Newchurch and Marcus Mawe from their junior ranks, so he is giving every young player an opportunity to develop into senior players.
For three quarters Mannum dominated proceedings last week.
Coach Dave Dolheguy gave Clive Waterhouse the freedom of the city.
He took the shackles off him and sent him to the midfield and said “Clive, go and do a bit of work and earn your money, I want you right for the finals” and it worked.
Clive did not play over 100 AFL games by just looking pretty.
The Hockey, Sarno, Waterhouse combination kicked 13 goals last week.
They have a more potent forward line compared to Tailem Bend and they are a tad more reliable.
Mark Mueller, “Shovel” Maloney and Ben Quinn are smart players - they have quick hands, they have a football brain and they move the ball quickly to create chances.
Josh Croxton, Danny Walker and Steven Thiele all found the footy last week.
Andrew Warnest is a nice mover, but he found out last week he was not as quick as his Dad, while Jarrod Woodward nearly took the mark of the century.
I’ve just been handed a message from Brad Wakefield to pass on to the coach and it says “Can I please have a rest for five minutes per quarter on the bench as I am getting tired and I like a pie around 4pm.”
It is in your hands coach.
Mannum by 21 to 30 points.
Ramblers v Meningie
I have been watching one two many government charts.
I am trying to make this game an exact science but the problem is this great game of ours is played between the ears.
It is mathematically impossible for Meningie to come up here to the hub and stitch up Ramblers.
Ramblers kick six goals per game more and the Meningie defence allows an extra four goals a game, but Ramblers have that mind set to crush teams lower down the ladder.
They are going to have to do it without Daniel Zadow.
The brick is having a spell and he has been told to stay home and head-butt the fence post in a bid to freshen up for the finals.
The big Ramblers forwards in Clint Giradi and Adam Jackson will pose enormous problems for Chad Thorpe and the shorter Meningie defenders.
The Rambler midfielders Patrick O’Neil, Liam O’Neil, Mitch Vanson and Troy Cowland all lifted when the chips were down against Mannum.
The young ruckmen Mark Rumbelow, Ty Pfieffer and Alex Mason will tag team Chris O’Hara and wear him down.
Meningie showed glimpses of reasonable form last week but they could not sustain it.
Rodney Cunneen and Dean Rossi have got a bit off class but without Ryan Mallard it falls in the hands of Josh Benbow, Chris Lawson and Josh Robinson to score.
Tim and Greg Saddlier are as tough as old boots, but they do not have the same support as the Roosters.
Meningie are still a chance for finals, but they must contain the damage and keep the scoreboard respectable and hope like hell Tailem Bend get beaten.
The big goals that count will be kicked in the clubrooms after the game when Meningie hard man and RMFL president Mick O’Hara takes on Rambler heavyweight and legend Mick O’Neil.
Friends and family of both men will stand as one and sing in unison that wonderful old hymn “How great thou art”.
Ramblers by 71 to 80 points.
Email a friend