By Marcus Uhe
There are some match ups that strike fear into respective Outer East Football Netball Premier Division clubs, and for some, this weekend is looking like Halloween coming early.
Gembrook Cockatoo gets Wandin at a terrible time, on the back of consecutive losses to likely premiership contenders.
The Brookers probably still have nightmares about facing the Bulldogs from last year’s contests, which saw the premiers salute by 163 and 146 points in the two match ups.
The first of the two contests, a sorry day at Wandin, was nothing but carnage for the visitors, who finished the game without an interchange bench due to injuries, having failed to kick a goal.
How they perform on this occasion will give Michael Firrito a strong indication of how far they have come.
A top three contest is slated for Kalora Park, when the Magpies welcome Olinda Ferny Creek.
The Bloods have quietly continued to amass wins this season under new coach Dylan Wilson, but have benefited from the schedule, having only played one finalist from 2023 thus far, which happened to also be their only loss, to Upwey Tecoma.
Narre Warren, however, will offer considerably more challenges.
The Magpies look irresistible and have the weaponry to frighten sides.
Like Wandin against Gembrook Cockatoo last year, the two contests in 2023 were lopsided to say the least, with the Magpies winning by 145 points in round six and 155 in round 15.
Whoever the Bloods send to Will Howe is in for a tough time, with the sharpshooter kicking hauls of 10 and four against them last year, while Riley Siwes kicked six in the second outing.
Emerald’s challenge to register a maiden win gets even harder this week, slated for a trip to Woori Yallock to face the Tigers.
Sein Clearihan will need to dig deep into his bag of tricks to manufacture a result here and stop the Tigers from kicking decent score, but it’s hard to know how that will happen.
Led by recruit Taylor Gibson’s 22 majors, Woori Yallock are the second-highest scoring team, and Emerald the second lowest.
Will a Jared Derksen or David Johnson be thrown behind the ball in order to plug some gaps?
Time will tell, but only so much can be asked of Mitchell Thomas and Ben Willder in the back half.
Elsewhere, Berwick Springs will be eager to get the better of Mt Evelyn to kick start their campaign at home, while Upwey Tecoma and Officer’s contest shapes as an early ‘eight-point game’, with both expected to push for a spot in the finals mix.
Pakenham, meanwhile, look set to bank consecutive wins for the first time in 2024 when its host Monbulk.
Expect Jake Barclay to feel the pinch of a hard tag all day, having made a mess of the Hawks last season in one of the more extraordinary single performances you’ll see.
Tips: BERWICK SPRINGS v Mt Evelyn, Gembrook Cockatoo v WANDIN, WOORI YALLOCK v Emerald, UPWEY TECOMA v Officer, NARRE WARREN v Olinda Ferny Creek, PAKENHAM v Monbulk.
