ERWFL PREVIEW

By Alyce Collett

Premier Division

Chirnside Park vs Mount Evelyn

Mt Evelyn find themselves in a position where they desperately need a win. They currently sit in 5^th place on the ladder, one win behind 4^th placed Donvale and only one win ahead 6^th placed Vermont. Depending on results, they could drop to 6^th.

They come up against what is the toughest task in the Premier Division – the undefeated Chirnside Park.

Chirnside Park are coming off the bye, and the only team so far this season that has won the following the bye was the Whitehorse Suns who are currently in 2^nd place. 

Chirnside Park’s average winning margin so far this season is sitting at 50.4 points so are well placed to join Whitehorse in that particular category.

Division One

Upwey Tecoma vs South Croydon

Coming into this weekend, Upwey Tecoma sit in a pretty safe position, but could still make a charge up the ladder. They are only one win behind 3^rd placed East Ringwood, and come up against a South Croydon side who are coming off the bye, but have only lost one game for the year.

Last time these two sides met, it was a comprehensive 87 point win to South Croydon.

One key player that Upwey Tecoma will need to stop is Taylah Black. 

She has kicked 20 goals for the season and has kicked at least one in all of South Croydon’s wins so far this season. The only time she was kept goalless so far this season was in their loss to the Basin.

Outer East Division

Healesville vs Yarra Junction

Yarra Junction have one of the toughest tasks in the Outer East Division – trying to knock off Healesville.

Both times these two sides have met this season, Healesville have won by quite large margins – 46 and 50 points. 

Despite the unenviable task, Yarra Junction should take note of the fact that it is possible to restrict Healesville’s scoring to the point where they have been susceptible to going scoreless for a quarter.

 

Thornton-Eildon vs Belgrave

This game could have massive implications on the ladder. Only half a win separates the two sides on the ladder, and whoever wins will take 4^th position and further increase their finals chance and whoever loses will take a big hit to their finals chances.

Last time these two sides met, it was an 18 point win to Belgrave, but since then Belgrave haven’t managed to get a single win on the board, whereas Thornton-Eildon have at least managed a draw, so Thornton-Eildon will at least fancy their chances in this encounter.

Both sides have at times this season struggled to score, so they need to find new avenues to goal in order to get the win.

Upwey Tecoma vs Monbulk

Like Yarra Junction, Upwey Tecoma have one of the toughest tasks in the Outer East Division – trying to defeat Monbulk.

To date, the only team Monbulk have lost to is Healesville. Upwey Tecoma on the other hand, are desperate for a win to reignite their season and increase their finals chances. They are only one game behind 4^th placed Belgrave.

Last time these two sides met, it was a 7 point win to Monbulk, but the time before that, the margin was 105 points in favour of the Hawks.

One player that Upwey Tecoma will have to contain in order to be any chance of winning is Kathryn Gow. She has kicked 31 goals so far this season, and has kicked at least one every game.