Phil Doyle
7th August 2002, 22:36
ROUND 14 PREVIEW
This Saturday is the fourteenth round of the Central West Australian Football League 2002 season, and following last Saturday’s results, the fight for third, fourth and fifth spots has intensified. Ironically, Parkes who were beaten by last placed Bathurst on Saturday, actually advanced one spot on the ladder, on percentage, ahead of Cowra who was defeated by a bigger margin. The third placed side, CSU, was also comfortably beaten (by Dubbo). There is still a fight for first and second spots, but basically Orange would have to win this week, and then rely on Bathurst defeating Dubbo the week after-not out of the question considering the eagles recent form.
This week the Bathurst Eagles and the Central West Australian Football League welcomed its newest member, Jacob Tietz, newborn son of Bathurst Club captain Jamin and Lisa Tietz, born on Monday night. Congratulations !
Parkes Panthers v CSU at North Parkes Oval (1st: 1:00)
Umpires: Dave Vosnakes, Pat Clowry
This match is undoubtedly the most important game that either club has played this year. The winner will move into third spot, and in all likelihood gain a home final for the minor semi final, whilst the loser will lose touch with the top three sides, maybe permanently.
If ever CSU had to rally their troops, this is the weekend. Their traveling record has been shaky, though they did manage to defeat Parkes in their last outing to North Parkes oval. The Bulldogs face Orange in the last round, so a loss here would almost certainly end their season, though one will have to wait for the final wash-up, before absolutely writing any side off this year. CSU have been a very good side on their day this year, and have a young and talented team, when they are all available. With their best side in, even at Parkes, they should beat the Panthers, who have really struggled in the last 6 weeks, their last loss at the hands of bottom placed Bathurst.
Verdict: CSU could and should win. Commitment will determine whether or not they do.
Orange Tigers v Dubbo Demons at ANZAC Park, Orange (1st: 2:30, 2nd: 12:45, U17: 11:00, U14: 9:45)
What a game! First versus second, a preview of the major semi final, and what will almost certainly be the grand finalists. These two sides have clearly been the standout performers of the competition. For both of them, this match means so much more than gaining the four points that are on offer. The winner will gain a massive psychological advantage going into the major semi final, played in a fortnight. Dubbo will wrap up top spot if they win, and would have a such a big mental edge over the tigers, that it would be hard to see Orange coming back. On the other hand, a Tigers victory gives them a chance of taking the minor premiership. A blowout either way could lead to self doubt in the forthcoming games, and undo a years good work-that’s how important this match is.
Orange will still be smarting from a last start loss to Dubbo, and with their full complement of players available, and at home, should have no trouble accounting for the Demons who try hard, and play well, but lack the class of the Tigers.
Verdict: Orange by 6 goals
Bathurst v Cowra at George Park (1st: 2:30, 2nd: 12:45, U17: 11:00, U14: 9:45)
Umpires: Warren Mason, Wade Smith
Under normal circumstances, the bottom side playing the second bottom in round 14 would barely rate a mention, but this is no ordinary clash of the cellar dwellers. Bathurst have hit some form in the past month, and with the end of the season approaching rapidly, the eagles players have lifted, and will be gunning for Cowra, having beaten Parkes and CSU and pushed Orange in the past three weeks.
The eagles will be hurting from two losses at the hands of Cowra so far this season, and would relish the opportunity of playing the Blues at home, rather than Mulyan Oval in Cowra.
Cowra, though, have a lot to play for. A win against the eagles puts them back in the four, regardless of other results, and the likely opportunity to stay there and progress to the finals. A loss, however, would almost certainly end their season. They have young talent, and it would not surprise to see them come out and really give it to Bathurst. The big question mark over them is their recent form, having lost three games in a row, to Orange, CSU and Parkes. Do they have enough confidence to play to their best.
Verdict: Bathurst will be hard to beat, and may just have enough to out do the Blues.
In Reserve Grade:
The Dubbo Iguanas have a bye, whilst the Mudgee Black Swans will be looking for a big win over Parkes at Parkes on Saturday. The reserves competition is wide open, with Mudgee, Orange and Bathurst on equal points at the top of the ladder, and Dubbo one game behind in fourth place.
In junior matches this weekend-in under 14s and under17s: (Saturday)
Bathurst v Cowra at Bathurst
Parkes v Mudgee at Parkes
Orange v Dubbo at Orange
This Saturday is the fourteenth round of the Central West Australian Football League 2002 season, and following last Saturday’s results, the fight for third, fourth and fifth spots has intensified. Ironically, Parkes who were beaten by last placed Bathurst on Saturday, actually advanced one spot on the ladder, on percentage, ahead of Cowra who was defeated by a bigger margin. The third placed side, CSU, was also comfortably beaten (by Dubbo). There is still a fight for first and second spots, but basically Orange would have to win this week, and then rely on Bathurst defeating Dubbo the week after-not out of the question considering the eagles recent form.
This week the Bathurst Eagles and the Central West Australian Football League welcomed its newest member, Jacob Tietz, newborn son of Bathurst Club captain Jamin and Lisa Tietz, born on Monday night. Congratulations !
Parkes Panthers v CSU at North Parkes Oval (1st: 1:00)
Umpires: Dave Vosnakes, Pat Clowry
This match is undoubtedly the most important game that either club has played this year. The winner will move into third spot, and in all likelihood gain a home final for the minor semi final, whilst the loser will lose touch with the top three sides, maybe permanently.
If ever CSU had to rally their troops, this is the weekend. Their traveling record has been shaky, though they did manage to defeat Parkes in their last outing to North Parkes oval. The Bulldogs face Orange in the last round, so a loss here would almost certainly end their season, though one will have to wait for the final wash-up, before absolutely writing any side off this year. CSU have been a very good side on their day this year, and have a young and talented team, when they are all available. With their best side in, even at Parkes, they should beat the Panthers, who have really struggled in the last 6 weeks, their last loss at the hands of bottom placed Bathurst.
Verdict: CSU could and should win. Commitment will determine whether or not they do.
Orange Tigers v Dubbo Demons at ANZAC Park, Orange (1st: 2:30, 2nd: 12:45, U17: 11:00, U14: 9:45)
What a game! First versus second, a preview of the major semi final, and what will almost certainly be the grand finalists. These two sides have clearly been the standout performers of the competition. For both of them, this match means so much more than gaining the four points that are on offer. The winner will gain a massive psychological advantage going into the major semi final, played in a fortnight. Dubbo will wrap up top spot if they win, and would have a such a big mental edge over the tigers, that it would be hard to see Orange coming back. On the other hand, a Tigers victory gives them a chance of taking the minor premiership. A blowout either way could lead to self doubt in the forthcoming games, and undo a years good work-that’s how important this match is.
Orange will still be smarting from a last start loss to Dubbo, and with their full complement of players available, and at home, should have no trouble accounting for the Demons who try hard, and play well, but lack the class of the Tigers.
Verdict: Orange by 6 goals
Bathurst v Cowra at George Park (1st: 2:30, 2nd: 12:45, U17: 11:00, U14: 9:45)
Umpires: Warren Mason, Wade Smith
Under normal circumstances, the bottom side playing the second bottom in round 14 would barely rate a mention, but this is no ordinary clash of the cellar dwellers. Bathurst have hit some form in the past month, and with the end of the season approaching rapidly, the eagles players have lifted, and will be gunning for Cowra, having beaten Parkes and CSU and pushed Orange in the past three weeks.
The eagles will be hurting from two losses at the hands of Cowra so far this season, and would relish the opportunity of playing the Blues at home, rather than Mulyan Oval in Cowra.
Cowra, though, have a lot to play for. A win against the eagles puts them back in the four, regardless of other results, and the likely opportunity to stay there and progress to the finals. A loss, however, would almost certainly end their season. They have young talent, and it would not surprise to see them come out and really give it to Bathurst. The big question mark over them is their recent form, having lost three games in a row, to Orange, CSU and Parkes. Do they have enough confidence to play to their best.
Verdict: Bathurst will be hard to beat, and may just have enough to out do the Blues.
In Reserve Grade:
The Dubbo Iguanas have a bye, whilst the Mudgee Black Swans will be looking for a big win over Parkes at Parkes on Saturday. The reserves competition is wide open, with Mudgee, Orange and Bathurst on equal points at the top of the ladder, and Dubbo one game behind in fourth place.
In junior matches this weekend-in under 14s and under17s: (Saturday)
Bathurst v Cowra at Bathurst
Parkes v Mudgee at Parkes
Orange v Dubbo at Orange