By Marcus Uhe
There’s no doubt that the current cost of living crisis is creating a rental market bursting at the seams in Melbourne’s suburbs.
Real estate agents are flooded with applications for any available property or room, while queues at open inspections can stretch for blocks as the battle for residency heats up.
Just as coveted, however, is the race for sixth place on the Outer East Football Netball Premier Division ladder.
Current tenants Mt Evelyn are happy to stay, but league landlords are hiking the price.
All teams have expressed interest, with Officer and Monbulk leading the pack, tied for the Rovers on points after 12 rounds.
The Kangaroos have long been keen, hovering around for much of the season, where the Hawks have come with a late rush, having won their last five, looking to swoop on the prized dwelling.
With Officer hosting Mt Evelyn this week, one side will move into prime position to snap up the sought-after estate, while the other will fall back into the pack.
Officer prevailed back in round two to kick start their 2024 campaign, an impressive showing against a side that fell just short of a Premier Division finals berth the year before.
Form has been up and down for both sides since, but the Kangaroos look to have settled on a best 22, and belief in their best football is high, having pushed Wandin and Woori Yallock in the last fortnight.
The Rovers always have size on their side, but that may cost them on a bigger ground, as it nearly did at Mick Morland Reserve against Berwick Springs.
Monbulk heads to Wandin, with their streak likely to come to an end, and Wandin’s expected to jump to nine in a row.
Pakenham faces a rejuvenated Berwick Springs, buoyed by a surprise round 12 win, and Narre Warren hosts Emerald for the first of two weeks at Kalora Park.
A Lions loss would be disastrous, making the prospect of relegation a realistic possibility with the potential to drop into the bottom three.
It will hinge on Gembrook Cockatoo’s ability to knock off Olinda Ferny Creek; should the Brookers claim the points and Pakenham don’t, Michael Firrito’s side will jump the Lions into ninth place.
Woeful accuracy in front of goal (7.18 to 11.12) saw the Brookers shoot themselves in the foot in the previous meeting between these two, but the Bloods are a divisional dark house, only losing to Wandin and Woori Yallock in their last five weeks.
Tips: NARRE WARREN v Emerald, Upwey Tecoma v WOORI YALLOCK, OFFICER v Mt Evelyn, Berwick Springs v PAKENHAM, WANDIN v Monbulk, OLINDA FERNY CREEK v Gembrook Cockatoo.
