EAST SUNBURY v COBURG DISTRICTS
FEW clubs have experienced a more dramatic month than what East Sunbury have gone through.
After defeating Burnside Heights in Round 9, East Sunbury was on top of the ladder and looking like the premiership favourite in Strathmore Community Bank Division 2.
Since then the Thunder hasn’t won a game, has suffered several injuries to senior regulars and no longer has Steve Grey leading the way as senior coach.
After three successive losses, the Thunder now has Glenn Hopkins installed as the man charged with leading the East Sunbury resurgence back up the ladder and it all starts here in a massive game against Coburg Districts that has the pundits split.
Coburg Districts is still in the hunt for a top four finish but needs to start improving its own form as we edge closer to September.
There were signs against the Northern Saints last week that the Lions have what it takes to re-capture their 2017 spark, with Tom Lucin, Ricky McGill and Chris Lynch all playing good footy at the moment.
They’ll be hoping the Thunder will take its time to adjust to the Hopkins message and not quite be 100 per cent this weekend.
ROXBURGH PARK v MOONEE VALLEY
The Magpies lost and the Fog won last week but the favourites tag still belongs to the former here.
Roxburgh Park was out-scored by nine goals to two in the second half at Burnside Heights last week and given their overall form of late, it might be best to treat that second half drop off as a blip on the radar.
When you boast arguably the best forward line and the best ruckman (Ferras Merhi) in the division, as well as a solid midfield and back line, there’s no reason to be too worried by a bad half of footy in less than ideal conditions.
Moonee Valley was solid but not spectacular in its win over Hadfield.
The Fog was in control and a little bit more polished than the improving Hawks and managed to get the job done with Ned Wilson out of the line-up and Jordan Faba being held to just one goal.
Wilson (knee) is gone for the year now so it’s time for the likes of Cory McGrath and Braden Padmore to take over this team as it pursues another finals berth.
It’s a game that really could go either way, but the Magpies have more star power at their disposal and should be feeling good about bouncing back at its newly re-furbished home.
NORTHERN SAINTS v BURNSIDE HEIGHTS
The Northern Saints have now beaten every other team in Strathmore Community Bank Division 2 after holding on to beat Coburg Districts last week.
It has been a six-game winning streak that has not only catapulted the Saints to the top of the ladder, it’s also sent a stern message to the rest of the competition.
If there were any doubts about the Saints’ premiership credentials, then they’ve been well and truly been put to rest following this winning streak.
Right now, and depending on ongoing good health, this is the most complete side of the division… particularly from an offensive perspective.
It’s down back where you can get them, as shown by the Saints’ late-game collapse against the Lions last week.
The most impressive thing about Burnside Heights’ win over Roxburgh Park was the comeback the Bears were able to mount in the second half.
It proved that they too know how to score in a hurry and if the Saints turn this into a shoot-out then the Bears are a chance of staying with them.
