I don’t profess to be any good when it comes to predicting the future. In fact, I can openly admit to being the worst crystal-baller going around (as a young child I thought for sure that Betamax was going to win the Videotape Format War). But it doesn’t mean that I can’t give it the old college try, and with my team having their first bye of what has been an exciting 2015 season in Gridiron Victoria’s Division 1, I figured I’d step up today and offer my thoughts and musings on the league’s Week 7 match ups.
Sunday, June 14 – Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Endeavour Hills
South Eastern Predators (3rd Place, 4-1) vs Monash Warriors (1st Place, 4-1)
This has the potential to be an intriguing contest, with external motivation on both sides. The Predators can leapfrog to first place in the division with a victory, while the Warriors will be looking to re-establish their league dominance after an upset loss to the Geelong Buccaneers last weekend. While I believe the Warriors will be without their Australian Representatives for this game, including stars Luke Jackson and Scott Wolfe, they should still have enough class and experience on both sides of the ball to get the W. The Predators do have a chance to pinch this one if Noah Sims and the big play passing game are on point, but it’s a high-risk approach.
Stafford’s Beta-Max Prediction: Warriors 30, Predators 12
Berwick Miners (6th Place, 1-4) vs Melbourne University Royals (Last Place, 0-5)
The Miners have shown glimpses of quality play the last 2 weeks in competitive losses to the Rangers and Predators, while the Royals have consistently struggled on the back of a horror start to the season. While on the surface this bottom of the table clash would appear to be the Royals best hope of a breakthrough victory, I still feel that the Melbourne Uni boys are a few weeks away from putting it all together and challenging (the talent is definitely there). Expect the Miners to lean heavily on a ground attack led by Andrew Jarvis and Grant Lamb, with the score line and victory typical of a game played between the tackles.
Stafford’s Beta-Max Prediction: Miners 26, Royals 6
Sunday, June 14 – Henry Turner Reserve, Footscray
Western Crusaders (5th place, 2-3) vs Geelong Buccaneers (4th place, 3-2)
The hardest game of the round to predict. Both teams are coming off arguably their best wins of the season, and both are looking like championship contenders again after sluggish starts. The Crusaders renaissance, off the back of the wishbone offence and a vastly improved defensive line, has been especially impressive. This match reminds me of the boxing term “Styles make Fights”. While the Crusaders wishbone has been the catalyst for their change of fortune the last 3 weeks, I believe the Buccaneer’s base defence, led by Layke Rossiello, is tailor-made to put the clamps on. With their offence doing enough for 3 scores on the other side of the ball, I’m giving this one to Geelong in a tight one.
Stafford’s Beta-Max Prediction: Buccaneers 21, Crusaders 16
Feel free to check in with me next week to see if these predictions cause me to arrogantly celebrate my new found clairvoyant abilities, or eat the humblest of pies. Either way, one thing is certain:
Betamax is never coming back.
