By Marcus Uhe
Officer took a significant step in its return to competitiveness in Outer East Football Netball Premier Division last week with a hard-fought win over local rivals, Pakenham.
The challenge for the Kangaroos is repeating their efforts this week against Narre Warren at home.
An off-season of doom and gloom has done little to knock the Magpies off their perch, looking once again like a premiership threat in 2024, and fresh off a grand final rematch win over Wandin.
While the result should go the Magpies’ way, Officer will be eager to test themselves against a premiership favourite to get a better sense of where they’re at.
Emerald hosts Pakenham, with both sides desperate for the four points for different reasons.
The confirmation of a triple relegation at season’s end leaves the currently winless Emerald as vulnerable as anyone, while Pakenham cannot afford to drop games like this if they are to be a contender for this year’s premiership.
Gembrook Cockatoo will head to Mt Evelyn chock-full of confidence after two wins in its opening three contests but will find the tiny confides of Mt Evelyn Recreation Reserve a challenge compared to the comforts of a big home ground.
The Rovers play their own deck expertly, and won’t want to drop this contest.
Berwick Springs welcomes a rested Upwey Tecoma to Mick Morland Reserve, benefiting from an extra couple of days off after an Anzac Day clash on Thursday last week.
Wandin and Woori Yallock will go toe-to-toe at Wandin, with the Bulldogs at risk of losing back-to-back contests early in the season.
It’s one of the biggest rivalries in Outer East and as two anticipated benchmarks in 2024, expect a physical contest that no one will want to lose.
How the Bulldogs curtail the Tigers’ firepower, the highest scoring team in the competition through the first three weeks, without Todd Garner, will be their biggest challenge.
Olinda Ferny Creek should bank a third win on the season against Monbulk, leaving them as one of three potential winless sides.
Tips: MT EVELYN v Gembrook Cockatoo, Officer v NARRE WARREN, WANDIN v Woori Yallock, Emerald v PAKENHAM, Berwick Springs v UPWEY TECOMA, OLINDA FERNY CREEK v Monbulk.
