WAFL - Round 19, 2010

[swannies]

OK, so we're getting to the pointy end of the season, but only 4 teams play this weekend. 1 of those games is probably the biggest game of the season for the fremantle sides, essentially a derby elimination final, should be a beauty.

Sharks v Sowfs - The importance of this match conjours images of Basil Campbell cutting a swathe through the East Freo huddle, such is the importance, and thus hostility with which this game should be approached.

The Sharks have a decent team in but have shown some indifferent form when their season has been on the line the past 3 or 4 weeks, how can you trust them? Their defence looks settled and may only have to cope with Murphy, with the likes of Weller and Spangher in keys and Brennan, Stephen, Teakle and Green to rebound. The midfield, led by the disappointing McGough (yes, I know I'll cop flak for this, but it's been my view for some time and my East Freo mate and I argue about it all the time) don't have an awesome midfield to counteract, so they should do a fair job. McNamara, Stevens, Houlihan, Fasolo, Monteath and looking forward to having a look at Cripps. Up forward Dunn is a welcome inclusion because the Sharks still have trouble kicking goals, but I also notice young Ricciardello (ex Souths) is given a game, possibly his first for the Sharks?

Souths have a group of old stagers and some young, exciting talent come through, but they look a bit thin in the midfield. However, they have Josh Head, in fact, so important is head that he has been named on the ground twice, on the WAFLonline web page. Evidently he's playing wing and HF, starting in both positions, which begs the queestion, why did Freo delist him? Anyways, enough silliness on my part, where are the Bulldogs going to win this one? I suspect it will be in experience stakes with Murphy, McGrath, Miller, North, Head, Bossong, McCarrey, White, Hunt, Mgumbwa but they will need the spark of the younger brigade in Dell'Olio, Collica, Klause, Motlop, Gugliemana, Amato and Parry.
Whilst Easts have the better team on paper, IMO, Souths will just win.

Teams

Sharks
B:L Teakle L Weller A Stephen
HB:K Green M Spangher J Brennan
C:T Houlihan M Mcgough S Horsburgh
HF:J Mcnamara A Ricciardello K Stevens
F:A Kyanga J Perham C Davidson
Foll:R Young A Fasolo K Monteath
I/C:L.Fasolo, R.Dunn, A.Monk, S.Lee-steere, A.Ware, D.Chidlow, J.Cripps
Emg:Nil
In:S.Lee-steere, J.Cripps, J.Perham, A.Ricciardello, R.Dunn, S.Horsburgh, R.Young
Out:M.Warren, S.Dodd, J.Murray, J.Sgherza

Bulldogs
B:K Hams C Bossong S Hunt
HB:C White A Mccarrey A Guglielmana
C:H North T Bairstow J Head
HF:J Head R Murphy C Dell-olio
F:T Motlop J Klause P Mugambwa
Foll:S Delmenico T Mcgrath S Fielding
I/C:K.Miller, M.Miller, C.Amato, J.Parry, S.Kersten, A.Collica, M.Cornell
Emg:Nil
In D.Easter, S.Kersten, M.Cornell, A.Collica, M.Miller
Out:B.Stanford

 

[swannies]

Thunder v Royals

Ordinarily you'd say, ho hum, but I've just noticed a couple of things, firstly, Beeck is out and he's been instrumental in East Perth's form, IMO, and, secondly, Luke Shuey is in for a run.

Thunder have been somewhere between deplorable and pathetic, but they have an extraordinary number of young players in their line up. Unfortunately for them, they'll probably lose a few of these in the upcoming AFL draft, so they won't be able to keep them together. Guys like Battye, McLeod, Holmes, O'Brien, Williams, Jones don't have the support around them and there are not enough suitable, older heads to help out Luff, Mason, Bennell, Butcher, Jones, McKenna etc.

The Royals are on a charge, not dissimilar to last year, but they still haven't beaten a top side, but you can only beat who you play and next week's Perth derby will probably test that. The Royals have quite an attacking defence with Hancock, Sweet, JON and Swan. In the middle there is plenty of experience, with Webster named, along with Wulff and Lee and quite a group of youngsters in Stirling, Keath, Shuey will probably run through there with Eastwell, Clutterbuck and others. No Noakes in the team, how long since a Noakes wasn't in an East Perth league side, couple years? While I'm being brutally honest can someone tells me what Macaulay brings to the team?
Whilst Royals are down a couple of players I can't see Peel getting off the canvas.

Teams

Thunder
B:M Holmes C Luff A Payrits
HB:J Jones T Clarke L Mckenna
C:M Ware B Jones (c) H Bennell
HF:R O'brien H Mcleod C Collard
F:B Filo M Battye J Bennell
Foll:J Williams K Butcher M Giumelli
I/C:M.Brown, B.Culpitt, D.Mcphan, B.Piggot, N.Wilson, D.Murray, R.Beswick
Emg:Nil
In:A.Payrits, L.Mckenna, B.Jones (c), C.Collard, J.Bennell, D.Murray, N.Wilson, J.Jones
Out:B.Wilson, R.Mason, B.Holmes, B.O'brien

Royals
B:J Oakley-nicholls L Sampey M Swan
HB:A Sweet B Hancock A Pickering
C D Stirling J Keath C Wulff
HF:B Dobson J Birrell L Shuey
F:T Howlett A Prior M Seal
Foll:Z Clarke L Webster B Lee
I/C D.Macaulay, J.Eastwell, B.Higgins, F.Clutterbuck, J.Delborrello, S.Payne, J.Derickx, K.Goodwin
Emg:Nil
In:J.Birrell, L.Shuey, J.Derickx, K.Goodwin, B.Higgins, S.Payne
Out:Z.Beeck, B.Mckinley

 

[swannies]

OK, firstly, anyone else want me to play another player into form? McGough was very good today! Well done Sharks, fantastic game! That goes for both clubs, really enjoyable game to watch.