Football
30 May, 2024
Vital matchups ahead of league bye
Round eight of the Horsham District Football Netball League has some important matchups that could shape the rest of the season for some clubs.
Laharum plays Natimuk in an important clash. Not only is it an important day to honour both team's Indigenous heritage, but if Laharum wins, it sets them up in the top six and potential finals run.
For Natimuk, it gives them a big mountain to climb.
Demons coach Shan Argall said it's an important game.
"It will give us a little bit of separation and we have spoken a lot about it this week," Argall said.
"We need to keep winning and get those four points as often as we can. There are a couple of teams just behind us so if we want aspirations to play finals, we need to win."
Kaniva Leeor is fresh off a bye and hosts Taylors Lake at Kaniva Recreation Reserve in what is a must-win match for both clubs.
The Cougars are without a win for 2024 whilst the Lakers haven't won since round two, and a win will help them stay in touch of the top six.
Kalkee is buoyed after two consecutive wins and at Kalkee Recreation Reserve, hosts a Noradjuha Quantong team that is starting to find their groove.
As the old cliche goes, this is an eight-point match for both clubs.
For the Bombers, they need to win to stay in touch with the top two whilst a third win for Kalkee would be massive, not only for the club but the context of the season as it will give them the confidence of a potential finals run following the bye.
Kalkee co-coach Andy Devereaux said they need to hit the ground running.
"Knowing Bomber's coach Damian Cameron well, he is a quality footballer and knows how to run a quality team," Devereaux said.
"It is definitely going to be one of those big challenges and we need to hit the ground running and take the game by the scruff of the neck and put up a challenge."
When asked who may get the role on the dangerous and in-form forward Judah Hobbs, Deveraux said it could be several players.
"Louis Papst is one of our more seasoned defenders and has done some good nullifying roles so he may get the first crack," Devereaux said.
"Brodie Pitt is another that may go to him depending on matchups. We have to respect the guys in form and he is one of them."
Bombers coach Damian Cameron said that he and Dawson Cross are close to playing.
"Hopefully we will be right to go come Saturday as we were both gutted we couldn't get up against one of the tougher teams last week," Cameron said.
"We have had some tight tussles with Kalkee over the years, so if we don't get up we will trust the group that is already there to get the job done.
"Everyone that has filled in the shoes of injured players has performed well so we are good in that regard in that we have some depth."
"This is a game we need to win as we need to stay in the hunt for the top two, so I am confident that whatever happens, we will play our best to get the four points."
Rupanyup hosts Edenhope Apsley at Rupanyup Recreation Reserve and will look to bounce back following last week's close loss to Harrow Balmoral.
The Saints have got their full squad in and have shown improvement in recent weeks, so this is not an easy match for the Panthers.
In the final game, Pimpinio will look to get back on the winner's list when they host Harrow Balmoral at the Pimpinio Sporting Complex.
Pimpinio lost their first game of the year last week against a premiership contender in the Bombers and will be looking at applying what they learned from the loss against the benchmark of the competition.
Harrow Balmoral has been tested in recent weeks, so if Pimpinio plays four quarters of football, they will like their chances of coming away with a massive win.
Harrow Balmoral should welcome back Alex Rees and Brody Devlin who both played well in the reserves last week following injury.