The Pakenham Silverbacks have clinched the Minor Premiership. Now all that is left to work out is the other 3 spots in the top 4.
WEEK 12 – Lets’ get it sorted!
Saturday 10th September – The Cove: Corio – 10:30am
- Northern Raiders (3rd Place, 4-2-3) vs Pakenham Silverbacks (1st Place, 10-0)
- Last Time: Week 5, 2016: Silverbacks 36, Raiders 0
It will be interesting to see how the Silverbacks line up for this one. With top spot sewn up do they play guys like Kevin Russell, or keep him and other important starters on the sideline so that their more than capable backups get some game time? The Raiders have to win to keep 3rd spot. A loss might see them fall to 4th with the threat of having to play the Silverbacks again in week 1 of the Playoffs. Unfortunately for the men in Silver and Black, I see this game over by the half.
Prediction: Silverbacks 30, Raiders 0
Sunday 11th September – Ross Straw Field, Parkville – 10:30am
- Bendigo Dragons (2nd Place, 6-2-1 ) vs Gippsland Gladiators (6th Place, 1-8-1)
- Last Time: Week 5, 2016: Dragons 26, Gladiators 7
The Dragons can sew up 2nd spot with a win, while the Gladiators are just looking for some late season respect. I have a soft spot for the Glads, as it would appear to be a hard slog recruiting new players down in Morwell (it’s no Bendigo that’s for sure). This game could get ugly, but the Gladiators have the ability to score through the air which will make this a less than ugly game to watch.
Prediction: Dragons 44, Gladiators 12
Sunday 11th September – Monash University, Clayton – 10:30am
- Monash Barbarians (4th Place, 5-4) vs Ballarat Falcons (5th Place, 3-5-1)
- Last Time: Week 5 2016: Barbarians 36, Falcons 22
Game of the Week right here GV fans. A win to the Barbarians sees them jump to 3rd (If the Raiders lose), and a Falcons loss will see their playoff hopes fade. A Falcon’s win however sees them on equal points as the Barbs as we head down the stretch. The Barbarians, lead by their QB Sean Roche, will be wanting to prove to the doubters that they are still in with a shot at the title. Roche doesn’t look like a QB’s proverbial but he has an accurate arm and is hard to bring down on the QB sneak. Can the Falcons recover from last weeks belting? This is going to be close.
Prediction: Barbarians 28, Falcons 26
