Bullants to break the duck, Glen Eira meet biggest challenger

Aquinas v Ivanhoe

At home again this week, Aquinas will realise it’s time to get their skates on if they are to remain in touch with the top rung of teams. Slow starts have not helped the Bloods on occasions, but the Hoes have not set the world on fire either. Both teams carry the potential to boot large scores quickly and it stands to reason that both defences will have their hands full. Westwood, Christou, Robb and Livingstone are key playmakers for Aquinas and will cause trouble for any opposition if not watched, while on the other hand Emerson, Fleming and Petrie can cut you to pieces if not watched closely. In a toss of the coin the Hoes in a thriller.

Old Paradians v Yarra Old Grammarians

OP’s are the form team of the competition and will relish the return to the wide open spaces of the Garvey this week. Boasting an attacking forward line and key play makers on every line, add to that their youthful exuberance, they are shaping as a very tough opponent for the travelling Bushrangers. With Old Paradians Penny, Cooper and Mahony in great touch it is hard to see Yarra OG getting the job done, despite the best efforts of their regular performers in Falkingham, De Waard, Goldsmith and Cook.

MHSOB v Bulleen-Templestowe

Rightio Bullants, here’s your task. Shutdown football, man on man at the tight confines of Melbourne High School, don’t let the Unicorns run free and turn the game into a scrap. It’s been done before and a turn up is on the cards. The Bullants have a mixture of experience and youth and will not take a backward step. Leaders such as Florance, Fraumano and Parris will need to stand up and show the way while Hardy, Dakin, Mamone and Verga will need to crack in all day. While the High sit well clear in terms of relative ladder positions, they have nothing to prove, while the visitors are itching for their first W for the year. Bullants in a boil over at the High.

Power House v Manningham Cobras

Manningham Cobras signalled to the competition that they are a team to reckoned with after a strong four quarter performance against Ivanhoe at Koonung Park last week. Maghamez got amongst the goals and Raso, Norris and Stokes ran into some form, however a win at home to House is in order if they are to be taken seriously. Power House at home were demoralised last week against ladder leader Glen Eira and while Manningham are yet to set the world on fire, the House will know only too well they will need to stay in the game for four quarters to be any chance. While the likes of Circosta, the Scotlands and Yak will make every contest count the Cobras will strike and take the four points.

Glen Eira v West Brunswick

Glen Eira’s first big test this week as the Westies travel to Packer Park keen to test themselves against the ladder leaders. At home and in form the Gryphons will be quietly confident and with multiple avenues to goal the Westies will have their work cut out for them. Drenth, McDonald and the Bass brothers are dangerous around goal, add to that the likes of Cvek, Petsinis and Dennis and Nick Mitchell’s men will have their work cut out for them. In saying that Jon Edgar and his coaching group will also need to do their homework. West Brunswick play a fast, run on style and also have plenty of options up forward – Risstrom and Wall being just two, add to that the in-form Yacoub, Blakers, Dillon and Jones and this will be a match up worth watching. The Gryphons at home are a tough mob to roll and it is with this in mind that they get the nod – albeit with not a great deal of certainty.