STRATHMORE v GLENROY
STRATHMORE is timing its run perfectly at the moment.
The Mores have been in sixth spot on the ladder for most of the season and as recently as Round 5 they were as low as seventh.
Since then Strathmore has been one of the better teams of Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division, winning seven of its last eight games with that one loss coming against the hottest team of the division – Keilor.
After toppling Maribyrnong Park last week the Mores have finally broken back into the top four and with a favourable draw coming up, they will be eyeing off a top two finish.
Their top-liners are all in a rich vein of form and when Adam Iacobucci, Jaryd Cachia and Luke Jarrad are all firing, Strathmore’s midfield is arguably the best of the division.
The improved collective form of that trio is a key reason behind their recent success.
Glenroy will present the Mores with a tricky test but if all things are equal come Saturday, this should be another Strathmore win.
The Roys may have their cue in the rack without finals or relegation in their sights, and that could have been a factor in last week’s loss to a more desperate Avondale Heights outfit.
It was tight between these two back on ANZAC Day but Strathmore is quite a different unit now.
AVONDALE HEIGHTS v ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS
Last week was all about Essendon Doutta Stars, finally scoring its first win of 2018 against West Coburg.
Not only did the Stars get to sing the song, it breathed life into their fight to avoid relegation.
Their form has been very good through the middle portions of the season and arguably better than Avondale Heights’.
Douttas have Jordan Schroder, Charles Lill and Karl Brown, among others, playing outstanding footy of late and with something genuine to play for, their tails are going to be up for this one.
Avondale Heights might have some newfound confidence of its own after scoring an equally important win over Glenroy last week.
The Heights aren’t completely safe from relegation just yet but a win here would probably guarantee it, which makes this one of the biggest games of the season.
The experienced midfield duo of Dennis Armfield and Mathew Cravino proved vital against Glenroy and they’ll both need to lead from the front in this one as well, while up forward the Heights need their bigs to have good day in front of the sticks.
This will be won in midfield.
