Now that we have experienced a NCAA College Football game on Australian soil, it’s time to return our focus to the best league in Australia.
Let’s get ready for week 11 in Division 2.
Saturday 3rd September – Heatherbrae Reserve, Officer – 3:00pm
- Melton Wolves (Last Place, 1-8) vs Bendigo Dragons (2nd Place, 5-2-1)
- Last Time: Week 4, 2016: Dragons 26, Wolves 0
The Wolves surprised the league last week going down to the Barbarians in a high scoring affair. After leading 22-6 the Wolves found themselves in unfamiliar territory which showed when they gave up 24 points to lose by just 2. The Dragons had the bye last week (2 weeks off from football) and will be looking to put the Wolves away early and strengthen their grip on 2nd place. The Wolves will need to improve on pass defense if they don’t want this game to blow out.
Prediction: Dragons 32, Wolves 8
Saturday 3rd September – Heatherbrae Reserve, Officer – 6:30pm
- Pakenham Silverbacks (1st Place, 9-0) vs Ballarat Falcons (5th Place, 3-4-1)
- Last Time: Week 4, 2016: Silverbacks 64, Falcons 3
I’d love to say the boys from Ballarat have some kind of chance in this one, but I can’t. I don’t expect a thumping like the last time these two met but the men in green will barely raise a sweat to get the points. This is just a formality.
Prediction: Silverbacks 44, Falcons 8
Sunday 4th September – Monash University, Clayton – 10:30am
- Monash Barbarians (4th Place, 4-4) vs Gippsland Gladiators (6th Place, 1-7-1)
- Last Time: Week 4 2016: Gladiators 52, Barbarians 20
After reports of the Gladiators forfeiting their game last week in the last quarter due to injuries, the question is, will they field a team on Sunday? With the bye week to recover, I hope they can. The Barbarians had a scare against newcomers Melton but their experience showed as they just got over the line. This will be a reversal of the week 4 meeting with Monash holding onto 4th spot with the playoffs fast approaching.
Prediction: Barbarians 20, Gladiators 14
