Football
9 May, 2024
Top teams clash in mouth-watering battle
Harrow Balmoral hosts the Swifts in the football match of the round at Balmoral Reserve on Saturday in round five of the Horsham District Football Netball League.
Both teams are unbeaten and the Swifts have improved in 2024.
The Southern Roos have some injuries so now is the time to strike for the Swifts. The intriguing matchup on the day will be between Paul Summers and Brait Headon.
Summers has kicked 31 goals in the first four weeks, so stopping him will go a long way to winning the match.
The midfield for both teams is also strong, so that is another intriguing battle. Whoever gets on top in the midfield will be winning this match.
Swifts coach Brett Hargreaves said the midfield is the key.
"They are loaded in the forward half and have a good midfield and we will have a good look at how they have played this season," Hargreaves said.
"We probably didn't have the midfield to go with them last year, but this year we do and we just need to create pressure up the ground and negate some of their forward power.
"The game will be won in the middle. We know what we have forward. We are in with a good chance. Whatever happens, we will take away a few lessons."
Southern Roos coach Jai Thompson said it's a good challenge.
"They are the in-form team at the start of the year and it will be good to see what they have to offer and it will be a huge challenge for us," Thompson said.
"Scott Carey is a star of the league and is a huge influence in their midfield. We will have to put some time into him. They also have other quality players we haven't seen yet so we will be watching the video.
"We know they like to set up and attack and they can put up big scores, so we will need to look at slowing them down and the defence will be crucial all over the ground."
Scott Addinsall will miss about and Jacob Hill tore a hamstring on Saturday and there are question marks over Michael Close, Noah Hildebrand, Mitch Grant and Rhys Daffey.
"We will be having a good look at players and who we may be about to ring up. Riley and Bronte Shrive have been impressive and are crafty forwards so they may get an opportunity," Thompson said.
Laharum has a huge test when they travel to face Noradjuha Quantong. The Demons have won three in a row and are improved from 2023 whilst the Bombers will be looking to bounce back from the loss last week to the Swifts.
The Bombers will be hoping Nigel Kelly and Damian Cameron are ready to come back whilst the Demons have no real worries and will be keen to see where they stand.
Edenhope returns from the bye and faces a season-defining match at home against Natimuk.
Demons co-coach Shan Argall said it's a litmus test.
"We are very keen to test ourselves and they have had a couple of losses to some top sides so at home they will be keen to make a statement," Argall said.
"We are going into the game confident on our own game. We are well aware they are a couple of years ahead of us in terms of their development, so we will see how far we have come and how far we still need to go.
The Saints have been hit by injury to start the season and are starting to get players back. It's a long way back from 0-4, so they will be hoping to salute not only for their supporters but for their season.
Pimpinio will look to remain unbeaten when they travel to Kaniva to take on the Cougars. The Tigers have started the year brilliantly and with a strong midfield and forward line that is in form, the bottom-of-the-table Cougars face a tough task.
To remain unbeaten with either the Swifts or the Southern Roos will be a massive moment for the Pimpinio Football Netball Club.
In the final game, Taylors Lake hosts Rupanyup. After winning their first two games, Taylors Lake needs to win but will find things tough against a Rupanyup team that has bounced back following their round two loss putting some big scores on the board.