Waubra v Gordon
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
at Waubra, Saturday, 2.30pm
Last time: Gordon 12.11 (83) d Waubra 8.11 (59), round 17, 2015
HISTORY shows just how hard a finals series can be when you finish outside the top four.
In the previous five years that the top eight system has been implemented within the Central Highlands Football League, no team has been able to win the premiership from outside this bracket and just one – Springbank – has reached a grand final.
Given that, it’s no surprise that the Waubra and Gordon camps are placing a huge focus on Saturday’s clash.
The equation is simple: win and a top four berth is secure, lose and get ready for an elimination final the following weekend.
The Roos are currently fourth on the ladder, percentage clear of the fifth-placed Eagles.
Waubra coach Grant Luscombe said he regarded the match as an early final.
“The players have to have that mindset coming into the game, so that’s the way we’re treating it,” he said.
Gordon coach Gary Learmonth has similar thoughts to his counterpart, conceding the premiership is much tougher to win from outside the top four.
The Eagles are set to bring in handy duo Jye Cousins and Ben Quinlan for Saturday’s contest, while the Roos are likely to have key pair Steven Tung and Ash Ballinger back in the side.
Luscombe said ruckman Matthew Wapling has been carrying an ankle issue, but expects him to play.
Prediction: Gordon
Carngham-Linton v Skipton
at Snake Valley, Saturday, 2.30pm
Last time: Carngham-Linton 11.10 (76) d Skipton 11.7 (73), round 17, 2015
TIME is running out for Carngham-Linton as it hunts a breakthrough win in season 2016.
But the Saints’ faithful would love nothing more than to snap the drought against arch rival Skipton.
Outgoing Carngham-Linton coach Aaron Braekmans has been unable to land victory in his first season in charge and admits the round 17 fixture is big.
Braekmans said key figures Nathan Ringin and Paul Granger would return to the line-up on Saturday to help create “one of our better sides” this season.
Carngham-Linton got home in a thriller to beat Skipton by three points in this game last year and the visiting fans will be hoping history doesn’t repeat this weekend.
Like Braekmans at Carngham-Linton, this will be the final game in charge for joint coaches Peter Brokenshow and John Northey, who depart the Emus’ helm at season’s end.
Brokenshow said Saturday was more than a game of football, such is the rivalry between the two clubs.
“It means a lot to the club irrespective to the positions on the ladder. It might as well be a final between the two clubs,” he said.
Skipton, which has won one game during a difficult 2016, has made two changes to the team that pushed Waubra last weekend, with Cameron Mitchell and Lakota Stranks named as the inclusions.
Prediction: Skipton
Buninyong v Clunes
at Buninyong, Saturday, 2.30pm
Last time: Buninyong 21.20 (146) d Clunes 5.5 (35), round 17, 2015
STAR recruit Mitch Phelps has been selected to return for Buninyong’s round 17 clash with Clunes.
Phelps, who joined the club from Redan early in the campaign, appears to have overcome a nagging hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined since the win over Gordon in early July.
He shapes as a vital part of the Bombers’ flag hopes, which continue to grow with every passing week.
Buninyong has beaten all of its big rivals except for reigning champions Springbank this season and just needs to get over the top of the lowly Magpies on Saturday to secure the minor premiership.
On a sour note, midfielder Alec Wiltshire’s season appears over following a serious leg injury in last weekend’s 14-point win over Ballan.
Bombers joint-coach Jarrod Morgan said initial fears were that Wiltshire had sustained a broken leg, and while scans have revealed that not to be the case, the former Avoca player still has “fairly significant ligament damage”.
Morgan is likely to sit out this weekend’s game with what he has described as a back issue, as is prime mover Ned Gilbert, who is away. Ruckman Liam Rigby and versatile onballer Glen Phelps are the key ins.
Clunes is chasing its third win of 2016 and heads into this encounter on the back of a hefty loss at the hands of Beaufort.
Prediction: Buninyong
Smythesdale v Springbank
at Linton, Saturday, 1.30pm
Last time: Springbank 22.14 (146) d Smythesdale 5.2 (32), round 17, 2015
Smythesdale (16th): While they're longshots here, coach Stephen Frys will remain proud of snaring two wins in 2016 given the club's torrid past. Midfielder John Cranny could return from a hamstring issue this weekend, alongside forward Keegan Byrne, who was away for the loss to Daylesford.
Springbank (2nd): With stars Tom Eltringham and Billy Driscoll left out, key back Matt Tyler and joint-coach Nick Couch are among those named to return for the Tigers' final hit-out before a likely qualifying final against Bungaree.
Prediction: Springbank
Beaufort v Learmonth
at Beaufort, Saturday, 2.30pm
Last time: Beaufort 12.7 (79) d Learmonth 8.7 (55), round 17, 2015
Beaufort (6th): Onballer Jayden Orr is set to miss the Crows' encounter with a hamstring issue, while ruckman Josh McDermott and swingman Chris Drew are expected to make their way back into the side that beat Clunes to jump to sixth on the ladder last weekend.
Learmonth (11th): Midfielder Matt Bond returns from his three-match suspension for the last round of the campaign. And with North Ballarat Roosters having the bye, Jacob Werts is also free to play for his home club this weekend.
Prediction: Beaufort
Creswick v Bungaree
at Creswick, Saturday, 2.30pm
Last time: Bungaree 15.6 (96) d Creswick 8.6 (54), round 17, 2015
Creswick (12th): After playing his 300th open age game (including reserves) earlier in the year, veteran Tim Rieniets will this weekend run out for his 300th senior match at Creswick. He will reach the milestone in coach Damian Lubeek's last game at the helm.
Bungaree (3rd): After beating Hepburn to all but lock away a top four berth last weekend, coach Heath Pyke says gun forward Christian Elliott and star defender Mitch Bruns will be sidelined this weekend with respective rib and hamstring concerns.
Prediction: Bungaree
Dunnstown v Daylesford
at Dunnstown, Saturday, 2.30pm
Last time: Dunnstown 14.13 (97) d Daylesford 9.8 (62), round 17, 2015
Dunnstown (10th): A disappointed Towners outfit will host Daylesford without the prospect of finals in 2016. Dunnstown lost to Learmonth last weekend to slip eight points behind the eighth-placed Bulldogs, which it meets this weekend.
Daylesford (8th): Coach Marcus Goonan says gun forward Seb Walsh will be fit to play in the team's upcoming elimination final. Walsh has been sidelined since mid-July with a wrist injury, but will get the chance to play again in 2016 after the Bulldogs secured a spot in the eight with last weekend's win.
Prediction: Daylesford
Hepburn v Ballan
at Hepburn, Saturday, 2.30pm
Last time: Hepburn 16.12 (108) d Ballan 6.4 (40), round 17, 2015
Hepburn (7th): The Burras again came up short in a big test last weekend, losing to Bungaree. And the team will be keen to bounce back before a likely elimination final replay against Beaufort, which it won last year.
Ballan (9th): After a fairy tale run that took them to a preliminary final last year, the Blues won't be part of the playoffs in 2016. Ballan pushed top side Buninyong only to lose by 14 points last weekend, and will be looking for a similar effort against the Burras.
Prediction: Hepburn
Rokewood-Corindhap v Newlyn
at Rokewood, Saturday, 2.30pm
Last time: Newlyn 10.8 (68) d R-C 7.5 (47), round 17, 2015
Rokewood-Corindhap: The Grasshoppers get a good chance to cap off the season - and coach Mick Hynes' time in charge - with a victory here. Hynes will step down at season's end, which he will hope arrives in conjunction with a fifth win of the campaign.
Newlyn: Onballer David Richardson is among the inclusions for the Cats' last game of the year. Newlyn will again miss finals football, with a win on Saturday likely to lift it to 12th on the ladder.
Prediction: Newlyn