Back now for the business end of proceedings and probably match of the season to kick things off in Round 10 with the clash of the top 2 teams and so much on the line even at Round 10. For some time it had become clear that the fight for top position on the ladder was down to two teams in Vic Park and Kalamunda. Both have cleared away from the remaining 8 teams, with initially Kalamunda holding the top spot however in the lead up to the xmas break it was Vic Park who cleared away after 8 wins in a row and a 5.5 point gap opening up at the top. Hopefully the xmas break has been beneficial for all teams and let’s look at some tips for Round 10.
KARDINYA v SOUTH PERTH
KARDINYA
I Barrie, G Knight, M Ayres, M West
G White, J Rochford, D Wood, J Edgar
N Ball, R Knapp, A McCullagh, B Regan
C Vinci, L Phillips, R McNamara, S Garner INS: S Garner OUTS: S Vinci
SOUTH PERTH
M Petrich, J Terrell, T Percival, G Bennett
S Kelly, F Anderson, D Reagan, J Cunningham
D Mortley, G Reagan, W Skuza, G Bovell
P Holmes, W Bezant, R Negus, S Masterson INS: W Skuza, S Masterson OUTS: B Roelefs, M McRae
Two teams in the middle of the ladder in what looks to be a pretty even contest to start round 10. In the prior clash it was Kardinya who walked away victorious with a comfortable away win. Leading into the xmas break It was South Perth on the improve including a shock away win over Kalamunda in what would surely be their best performance of the season. Kardinya on the other hand were struggling in the lead in to the break and they will be desperate to get a home win over South Perth. Very tough match to call but am going to go with Kardinya at home in a close one.
Kardinya 6-2
VICTORIA PARK CARLISLE v KALAMUNDA
VICTORIA PARK CARLISLE
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KALAMUNDA
I Cornthwaite, D Park, B Farrant, D Connell
W Olive, A Bartlett, S Anning, M Thomas
D Wooltorton, G Trevaskis, P Townsend, B Solly
B Brandsma, M Gill, A Brandsma, M Clancy INS: No changes OUTS:
Really looking forward to this clash in what will go a long way to determining top spot at the end of the season. Kalamunda were successful at home in Rd 1 but since that point things have turned around and Vic Park have risen to top spot. The rink draw will be all important and would love to see a Brandsma vs Wishart clash given that both rinks sit at the top of the ladder at xmas. On paper both teams are full of class with Leigh Such and Drew Daley in particular heeding a very strong rink for Vic Park. Kalamunda will throw everything at this match and it would not surprise me if they did walk away with the win but at home I need to go with the form side in Vic Park in what should be another close match.
Vic Park 6-2
THORNLIE v DALKEITH NEDLANDS
THORNLIE
E Gollan, R Carruthers, P Riggio, A Payne
N Holden, J Stean, C Penaluna, J Mitchell
M Yates, G Vaughan, J Thorn, D Cooper
D Slade, M Separovich, M Forrester, A Williams INS: D Slade OUTS: M Stokes
DALKEITH NEDLANDS
L Richardson, R Moran, D Redeckis, R Kelly
M Saunders, M Green, T Allen, P Jeanes
Jesse Brown, J Morgan, S Gazia, B Owen
A Foster, M Zusman, D Fitzgerald, M Joyce INS: R Moran OUTS: J Shaw
Dalkeith probably the surprise packets at the half way point of the season. Victorious in all of their home games plus an away win at Rockingham sees them sitting in 3rd spot. The Jesse brown rink remains undefeated and Dalkeith will rely a lot on the combination of Brown Morgan Gazia and Owen to lead them to another away win. Thornlie have been on the improve in recent games an the re inclusion of Eddie Gollan has made a big difference to their side. At home Thornlie are a different combination and I expect them to walk away with a much needed victory on Saturday.
Thornlie 7-1
ROCKINGHAM v WARNBRO
ROCKINGHAM
B Edwards, K Tremlett, J Lethlean, F Smith
R McIlveen, P Villa, I Barrett, S Wales
L Atkins, G Roberts, I Wright, D Poole
M Simpson, S Currie, T Threlfall, K Fyles INS: R McIlveen, F Smith OUTS: T Rubery, M Devenny
WARNBRO
L Strange, J Radford, D Kitson, S Christie
T Dellar, K Cousens, B Regan, D Kimberley
B Kalinowsky, D Watson, L Blechynden, D Fitzpatrick
Dr G Jackson, G Watts, T Ball, P Hartnett INS: L Strange, D Kitson OUTS: B McDougall, B Taylor
Another huge game for both teams who are both sitting mid table at the half way point. Rockingham have been very competitive all season but would have been disappointed not to have walked away with a win against Dalkeith at home. Warnbro have had an up and down season but I do like the look of their side with both Lindsay Strange and Kieran Cousins playing on the weekend. Rockingham rely heavily on Marcus Simpson and will be helped with the return of Russell Mcllveen to the side this week. Another tight match but will run with the home team and expect Rockingham to win this match.
Rockingham 6-2
FORRESTFIELD v FREMANTLE
FORRESTFIELD
J Weppner, C Holland, A Keegan, F Gore
B Wicks, M Garner, J Forrest, H Rabey
R Tillemans, M Vatri, L Stedman, L Delcaro
R Cummings, T Tillemans, R Carr, J Tillemans INS: No changes OUTS:
FREMANTLE
K Atkins, A Gale, D Regan, N Mulligan
S McCormack, J Chessell, B Wright, E Lacy
D Golem, J F Stewart, M Conway, R McGuffie
B Ciccotosto, B Sumich, F Pensabene, N Gaspar INS: M Conway, F Pensabene, N Mulligan OUTS: J Smith, D Piromalli, S Aldus
Fremantle sitting in 10th will need to get a move on in the 2nd part of the season if they are to avoid relegation. They face a tough match to commence proceedings after xmas playing Forrestfield away from home. Forrestfield have been competitive in all matches and rely a lot on the performances of Rhys Tillemans and his rink each week. Forrestfield are now sitting in 4th place on the ladder and they will have eyes on the coveted 3rd spot come the end of the season. Fremantle will try hard but I just cannot see them troubling Forrestfield away from home and expect a pretty comfortable win from Forrestfield in the end.
