Week 6 Gridiron Victoria Division 1 Preview

What’s up boys and girls? Week 6 in the 2016 season of Gridiron Victoria’s Division 1 that’s what. That’s actually quite a bit of verbiage when you think about it. Maybe I should just shorten it to “W62016SGVD1”. Wait… that makes no sense. What about one of those trendy inner city gentrification type abbreviations like “Tribeca” or “Webesoca”? “Gridvicdivone” has a nice ring to it. Or not, it’s not like I thought this lead paragraph out all that much. I basically just started typing and allowed whatever random thoughts I was having to spew forth onto the page. I’m quite insane in case you haven’t noticed. And speaking of insane, check out the following predictions!

DIVISION 1

Saturday July 23 – Maryvale Reserve, Morwell – 10:30am

• Western Crusaders (4th Place, 2-2) vs Berwick Miners (Last Place, 0-4)
• Last Time: Week 9, 2015: Crusaders 22, Miners 0

The Cru endured a second straight defeat to their bogey team in the Melbourne Uni Royals last week, while the Berwick Boys enjoyed a much needed bye. As VicBowl aspirants in 2016, I expect a refocused Western Crusaders outfit to put the sword to a Miners team that are on the ropes, recovering from four consecutive 50 point plus losses.
Offensive weapon Tyson Garnham has again been an elite performer for the Red & White this season, and he’ll look to put on another football clinic as he prepares for his debut in the NGL. The defensive play of Andrew James this past weekend was also outstanding, and a repeat performance looks to be on the cards against an offence without its main threat in QB Brad Ferguson, who is on Australian Representative duties in Tahiti.
The Miner lads will be game as usual, but without their Offensive leader will be cannon fodder for a stacked Crusader team looking to bounce back from a disappointing loss.

Stafford’s “Tahiti sounds delightful” Prediction: Crusaders 58, Miners 0

Saturday July 23 – Tom Flood Sports Centre, Bendigo – 3pm

• South Eastern Predators (6th Place, 1-3) vs Melbourne Uni Royals (5th Place, 2-2)
• Last Time: Week 10, 2015: Royals 24, Predators 0

The Royals are coming off of a huge, morale boosting win over the Western Crusaders, while the Predators showed plenty to be excited about in Week 5, despite their loss to the league leading Monash Warriors.
Both offences featured a heavy dose of ground and pound. The Royals “feed the horse” early and often, with runningback Tokoa Tangatakino providing the juice for an attack that has improved out of sight since his return two weeks ago. The Predators rely on the one-two punch of wily vet and former League MVP Grant Lamb, and speedy youngster David Handakas. Both were able to get yards on the ground against an excellent Warriors defence last week and the combo seem to be gelling well.
I expect this to be a close contest, with both teams desperate to stay in touch with the Top 4 closing in on the mid-point of the season. The Royals are in slightly better form currently so I give them the edge.

Stafford’s “Round Mound of Ground and Pound” Prediction: Royals 22, Predators 14

Sunday July 24 – Ranger Field, Croydon – 2pm

• Croydon Rangers (2nd Place, 3-1) vs Monash Warriors (1st Place, 5-0)
• Last Time: VicBowl XXXI, 2015: Rangers 16, Warriors 7

The Warriors cruised to their fifth straight victory last weekend, despite being challenged early by The Beasts from the South East. Croydon scored a nail-biting, come from behind victory over the Geelong Buccaneers, in what was a fitting contest to honour the memory of Jon Johnston.
This game is the highly anticipated rematch of last year’s VicBowl, with the result of which considered to be by most in GV a huge upset. Both teams have played a slightly different style so far this season to their 2015 counterparts. The Rangers have relied more on a passing attack led by Tight End Nate Rhoades and Slot Receiver John Tanuvasa. The Warriors have experimented with the read option at times on offence and have a defence that features heavy rotations in the front seven.
This game will be a fierce one between two teams that know each other almost too well. There may come a day where I offer a prediction on a game I play in, as a few of you have requested, but it won’t be this one. I’m insane, but not on that level yet.

Stafford’s “CoWard of the State” Prediction: Rangers ??, Warriors ??

Happy Football this week everybody, hope you enjoy the games at all venues, be sure to check out the Week 5 Power Rankings & the Week 5 GV Players of the week.

Peace Out!