Football Season is here……..except in Division 1.
BRING IT ON!!!
Saturday 17th June, Lakeside Recreation Reserve, Pakenham – 3:00pm
Ballarat Falcons (3-8-1) V Melton Wolves (2-10)
Last time they met: Wolves 34 – Falcons 0
The Wolves ran (literally) riot, finishing the season on a high, having new hope and confidence coming into 2017. The Wolves and Falcons must travel from the comforts of the Western Suburbs to play a game all the way over in the East. Not ideal but it is a State wide competition after all. There is a lot of respect for Ballarat, managing to attract and keep players in a country town wouldn’t be easy but they have managed to do this for a number of years now.
As for the game. Not having seen any preseason scrimmages first hand I can only really go by what I think might happen. With the return of All Victorian Punter (He’s going to kill me for this) Matthew Krul (QB 7), the Wolves have improved with new blood and some players with massive potential. On Defense the Wolves see the return of 18yo Defensive Lineman Nathan Fankhauser. Young Fankhauser is a huge talent coming off DROY for seniors and DLine MVP in the Junior competition.
I expect this game to be hard fought, as both of their games were last year. Will the Wolves show their teeth or will the Falcons soar to victory? Only time will tell.
Prediction – Wolves ?? V Falcons ??
Saturday 17th June, Lakeside Recreation Reserve, Pakenham – 6:30pm
CCU (12-0) v Crusaders II (DNP)
How do you predict the unpredictable? You take a wild stab in the dark that’s what you do.
From all reports the newly formed/amalgamated CCU (Casey Cardinia United) are not the team they once were. Losing over 80% of your starting lineup would have a massive effect on what you produce the next season. They come up against the new kids on the block in the Crusaders II. The Western Crusaders in Division 1 have been a very strong club in recent times, now they have followed in the footsteps of Monash by creating a Division 2 side. With not much to go on I will just go with a Crusaders II victory in their very first outing.
Prediction – Crusaders II 24 – CCU 14
Sunday 18th June, Tom Flood Sports Centre, Bendigo – 1.00pm
Bendigo Dragons (9-2-1) v Northern Raiders (5-4-3)
Last time they met: Dragons 5 – Raiders 8 (Semi Final)
These teams played in the 2016 Semi Final, on a day weather wise was an absolute shocker. It left no room for error and with less errors the Raiders pulled off the upset of the season. Beating the highly fancied Dragons to go into the Championship game.
The Dragons are hoping to add the finishing touch they need to make it to the Championship game. The Raiders find themselves with a new head coach with talented Offensive Lineman Joshua Faure taking the reins. Some might question why such a talented young man has decided to hang up the boots to coach, only he can give you that answer.
Prediction – Dragons 34 – Raiders 8
BYE – Monash Barbarians
Note ( ) = 2016 record.
