Matt can you use form now in future
If I had of known it was going to be quagmire at Gilbert Gordon I would have picked the Hawks by 50 or 60. Simon Choate and Rick Dowling can back me up on that. I told them on Saturday morning that I thought Kilmore would get flogged when I saw the weather. The Blues are a fast track side and to be honest, not much of one at that. Woodend-Hesket were bloody impressive and although I still don't think they can beat Riddell, they are by far the second best unit in the competition. Mick Lacy, in conditions that didn't suit, just dominated. Jay Downing eats mud and loves the hard stuff. Donovan was also impressive, and Barker was good when it mattered (kicked three of the first four goals in the opening five minutes). Ng didn't get much of it himself, but the Hawks gave it to him with purpose and he used his sublime skills and footy smarts to set his side up. Didn't see much of the second half, booted down to Lancefield Park, and saw the Tigers put on a pretty good display. Simmo was terrible, but the Magpies had to keep their mouths shut. May have changed the game, but I said at three-quarter-time that Lancefield would have the legs and they did. Great to see the Cats get up over Romsey, and that's not a dig at the Redbacks, but a lot of people have been working their arses off at Tony Clarke in recent years for little reward, and its good to see Macedon getting some results. Riddell = too bloody good. They would match Gisborne if the sides played tomorrow. Centrals continue to fly under the radar, might not be their year but they are a "dangerous side", to quote Mark Harvey.
This is how the top five will probably finish in my opinion:
Riddell - undefeated
W/Hesket - two losses to Riddell
Diggers Rest - better than pretty much most sides
Macedon - just starting to hit their straps, will beat Kilmore
Kilmore - may sneak in because of favourable draw
SIXTH POSITION
Could be anyone except Rockbank and Wallan. I think the Kangas will take it, but Lancefield, Romsey and Melton Central all have an opportunity.
Tip for all players: buy a pair of long-stop footy boots. The drought may not have broken but Kilmore were made to look like a pack of geese by wearing prima-donnaish moulded boots. The Hawks all had the right boots and were able to keep their feet in the contests.