Westmeadows v Airport West
THE Tigers have had an indifferent start to Season 2017.
Currently 2-2, Dave Connell’s men are looking to re-assert themselves as a genuine contender in Essendon Ford Division 1 and handing Hillside its first loss certainly helps that cause.
But the problem facing Westmeadows here is not only a hot Airport West outfit, but the weather forecast.
Showers are expected across Melbourne for Round 6 and in the wet so far this year, the Tigers struggled against both Tullamarine and Glenroy.
Both those games they were in white shorts, but Airport West is looking like a better side than both the Roys and Demons at this stage of the season.
The week off will benefit both sides and we may see some big names back in the line-ups, including Brad Dimech for Westmeadows and Cory McGrath for the Eagles.
This is a huge game for both clubs, but Westmeadows needs to show it can perform in the wet.
Glenroy v Hillside
This is Glenroy’s first game in almost three weeks, but Ross Terranova’s men are in a pretty good spot.
Third as we speak, the Roys are coming off wins against 2016 finalists Westmeadows and Tullamarine and apart from a Round 2 blemish at Oak Park, it’s been pretty hard to fault them so far this season.
The same can be said for the Sharks, who up until two weeks ago were undefeated.
With both Matthew Patane and Rocky Ferraro missing, the Sharks coughed up a 19-point quarter time lead to the Tigers and never recovered to eventually go down by three goals.
Here the backline is going to get another good test with Adam Winter, Luke Capuano and Jayden Walker all looking good so far this season.
Up the other end of the ground the division’s two leading goal kickers, Brandon Coletta and Victor Micallef, will be keen to improve on their combined three goals from two weeks ago.
The midfield battle is an intriguing one and will probably decide the game.
Oak Park v Taylors Lakes
This is one of those Essendon Ford Division 1 match-ups where there’s no telling what we’re going to get.
Oak Park’s only win was against Glenroy and up until their last start against Airport West, the Kangaroos had been more than competitive.
Against the Eagles they conceded their highest score for the year and were never really in the contest.
It has taken time for Michael Hooper to properly establish his brand on Oak Park and hopefully the week off has allowed his side time to further develop its chemistry.
Taylors Lakes hasn’t had such difficulties and will be very happy with its start to the season.
New recruits Luke Hodgkin, Jake Hobbs and James McGrath have all added some class to a side that really needed it in recent seasons past, and the result is a current top four spot.
On paper this is Taylors Lakes’ game to lose, but Oak Park is almost in a must-win situation and that’s typically when the Kangaroos are at their best.
East Keilor v Hadfield
One of these sides has to win eventually, and a draw seems unlikely so a song will be sung at about 5pm at Overland.
Hadfield’s losing margin in Round 5 hints at some kind of improvement, but Tullamarine was incredibly inaccurate kicking 18.27.
In their four games the Hawks have already fielded 38 different players, including coach Steve James himself, so it’s been rather difficult to establish any form of continuity in their game.
But coming against a fellow winless opponent here might just invigorate those in brown and gold.
Can they sniff a win against an equally desperate Cougars outfit?
East Keilor have clearly been far more competitive in their four losses but did not really keep up with Taylors Lakes last start.
Inaccuarate kicking did not help at Lionheart but it was still a disappointing effort after a heavy loss to Airport West the week before.
Expect the Cougars to rise to the occasion at home against what will hopefully be a more competitive Hadfield outfit.
