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We're back after some extended time with the family. Thanks for your patience. It seems like this season is flying along as the sight of R12 means it's really getting into the business end of the season. The next few rounds will define probably 7 of the 10 teams' faith. It feels like only a few weeks since we pulled out the auld predictor machine after R6 & it will hopefully get dusted off again for the last time this season after the traditional R12 results are fed into a cauldron of stats.
We are going with all Home wins except for Kats which would be understandable given their form to date, although they did lose their last game to ruin their unbeaten season so who knows. After the break last week it will be interesting to see which sides come out hungry & which are not really chasing much other than survival.
Interesting bunching in the demotion zone with 5th to 8th all within 3.5pts. It seems that section will head right down to 5pm R18 with hard luck stories expected from some.
COCKBURN v SAFETY BAY - Friday night 6pm
COCKBURN
M Simunovic, D Gibson, D Bandy, D Gurr
M Abonnel, J Ricci, B Blagaich, A Edwards
T Krajancic, J Marevic, I Mateljak, M Musulin
W Tepania, P Brotherston, J Wray, J Reale IN: W Tepania, D Gurr OUT: K Wylie, B Dropulic
SAFETY BAY
G Smith, S Foran, J Brannan, T Bochat
Z Boddy, G Taylor, C Owen, D Smith
C Carruthers, J Thorington, G Ogg, J Hanafee
M Mortensen, S Hide, M Ovens, A Ballard IN: J Brannan, C Carruthers, A Ballard OUT: S Gallon, G Samway, T Southern
GAME OF THE ROUND: 3rd v 2nd in a genuine heavyweight bout. The Rooster win this & they go 2nd & all but guarantee a finals spot in my eyes.
The Bay are 2nd for good reason after their Giant killing performance against the Kats in R10. They did what no other team really came close on doing & did it in style winning 3 of the 4 rinks. This puts them in genuine PL chat. If they repeat that performance here they’ll win & lock 2nd away, possibly all the way to R18 & secure a second chance in Finals.
Cockburn don’t seem to be that invincible side of old at home but after getting a get out of jail card last week with 4pts when they were suppose to play the Kats, they need to jump on the chance of getting a little purple patch going.
Cockburn 7 - 1
GOSNELLS v DOUBLEVIEW
GOSNELLS
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DOUBLEVIEW
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You would think that the Kookaburras win this then they’ll surely go 5th with the other predicted fixtures. This would be huge for Gosnells & these are the exact games they need to put away.
As The View circle the drain they still have a chance of at least a playoff spot but they need to build some confidence & get some big wins. Every season we see 1 team raise a phoenix from the ashe’s, can this be The View?!
Gosnells 7 - 1
LEEMING v ROSSMOYNE
LEEMING
P Boys, P Dobie, B Eather, P Hickey
K Vandersluys, G Fewings, D Johnson, W Birrell
G Ford, T Higham, G Burgess, N Bennetts
J Newton, J Bowden, L Mundri, M Bowden IN: M Bowden OUT: A Andersson
ROSSMOYNE
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The Lions just don’t seem like a 1 Blue side this season but yet they’re right down in real trouble & that’s hardly surprising when you only win 3 from 11. Yes a few very close games they feel hard done by but that the margins of survival in 1 White.
The River Rats win this & they’ll start that journey of recovery & escape that deadly 9th spot. It’s going to be a tough grind to see them truly escape but the rest of the bunch have dropped games in the midsection so 2 good wins & they’ll be safe. Huge game for both sides. These are the double pointers that define survival for both teams struggling for consistency.
Leeming 6 - 2
MANNING v BASSENDEAN
MANNING
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BASSENDEAN
A Southern, T Lynch, P Hutchinson, N Kirkup
N Strachan, S Davies, A Britton, R D'Souza
E O'Sullivan, N Hall, G Malaspina, M Watson
S Jocelyn, B Dinnison, A Parravicini, J Holman IN: S Davies OUT: D Blight
2 places difference with these mid table sides but surprisingly there’s 10pts difference even though the Eagles have won 3 more games. There’s been a few monster single rink performances by Manning that have truly saved their season & put them front & centre for that last Finals spot. You need to win the close ones & they have converted more times than most which is very impressive….or lucky?!
Basso are marginally safe in 6th but it’s razor tight & winning just 4 of 11 means they’ll need probably 4 wins from here for genuine survival. The Eagles did win the corresponding fixture which puts them favourites for this return game so Basso will need a big effort to return the favour this round.
Manning 7 - 1
MOSMAN PARK v KARDINYA
MOSMAN PARK
C Hoffman, D Adams, J Pallett, M Whiting
M Cranswick, L Onley jnr, J Adams, A O'Sullivan
M Robertson, K Stower, R Kershaw, N Parker
S Swanson, T Cranswick, J Kop, M Van Bemmel IN: No changes OUT:
KARDINYA
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Mossies are sitting safe in 5th but there’s a stretch to 4th & they’re not very far off 8th either. Tough task here against a side who have waited 2 weeks to marinate on their 1st loss of the season.
Kats won the earlier fixture but let’s say….a lot so it’s difficult to see the tide turning here. Mossies will need something extraordinary to get the Agg but it might be a good time to get the champs in waiting. If the Kats win this & Roosters win then it’s fair to say the race for top spot is all but over.
