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Within the next 2 weeks we see another season dreamt, played & justice prevailed after 18 attempts….hmm maybe 16 but who knows maybe 15 is next Saturday is called off. Irrespectively, you roll the dice 16 or 18 times, you’ll probably get the same result.
Yes I tend to agree with Rossmoyne that they came out of the Heat Round probably worse off than everyone & does that put them in a preciously position now, absolutely. Would they be in that position anyway after dropping half the games at home & not delivering on the road, maybe. However, it’s easier to blame on the heat or Bowls WA.
We look to the Kats this year as a good example, yes they were unlucky to go down on the last day but they lost players, dusted themselves off & will play PL again next season. However, if Kats don’t go up & their 2nd side continue their good form in 1 Blue, do Kardinya play two 1 Whites team next season??
Mid-table drives real interest. Yes Manning in 4th have visions of Finals etc but they’re only 3.5pts off 5th, yet only 7.5pts off 7th which drives emotional playoffs. Most years that 7/8th spot literally goes down to the last few bowls after 378 ends for the season.
GOSNELLS v COCKBURN
GOSNELLS
R Foy, David Newton, D Bradbury, N Vanderplank
G Lynch, S Harris, T Auckland, M Rickard
F Carbone, A Hodge, B Holland, M Byrne
E Gahan, B Keighley, P Gale, L Paterson IN: S Harris, A Hodge, T Auckland OUT: C Hickinbotham, R Bishop, J Jobey
COCKBURN
M Simunovic, D Gibson, D Bandy, D Gurr
M Abonnel, J Ricci, K Elborough, B Blagaich
T Krajancic, J Marevic, I Mateljak, M Musulin
W Tepania, P Brotherston, K Wylie, D Ravlich IN: M Musulin OUT: G Reale
The Kookaburras have a chance of survival here as they need probably 12 of the next 24pts to give them a chance of not having to play playoffs for survival. Rossmoyne would like to swap 8th v 9th so grab in all points on hand here is essential.
The Titans are playing finals no matter the results from here. Of course they would prefer to have 2 bits at the cherry & that fight will go all the way until R18 as it’s tight all season for that yo-yo 2nd spot. No reason why Cockburn won’t win this it’s just they’ve away form isn’t superb. The home side will need a huge performance here to grab the chocolates. Won’t be more than a dozen in this result.
Gosnells 6 - 2
LEEMING v SAFETY BAY
LEEMING
P Boys, P Dobie, B Eather, K Boyes
K Vandersluys, P Hickey, D Johnson, W Birrell
G Ford, T Higham, G Burgess, N Bennetts
J Newton, J Bowden, L Mundri, M Bowden IN: G Fewings, R Lipple OUT: P Dobie, K Boyes
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, T Southern, A Ballard IN: M Ovens OUT: T Southern
The Bay are back on track chasing points for that coveted 2nd spot. They’ll fancy themselves for Finals & it’s unlikely they won’t be a strong consideration for 1 Red in 2 weeks.
The Lions are chasing survival which can play a little harder in your head about how you play. They played very well at Kardinya last week, grabbing 2 pts & keeping it competitive. I do think their survival comes down to this game. Yes the Bay have nailed these close games most of the season but Leeming need the points more as R17 won’t be easy for them at Cockburn.
Leeming 7 - 1
MANNING v MOSMAN PARK
MANNING
S Adams, L Herbert, R Ker, S Lambert
A Taylor, Graham O'Brien, K Jolly, A Macpherson
W Heldt, P Herbert, M Potente, Glen O'Brien
P Smith, M Carey, G Hogg, B Adams IN: M Carey, K Jolly, S Lambert OUT: N Rees, J Titheradge, S Perica
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:
The Lions need this to play Finals & so do for Mossies. 4th play 5th on the ladder & Mossies wear 2 hats here too. They could get distracted about Finals & drop back into demotional playoffs but at least 1 more good Agg sees them safe.
Manning have done well overall for the season & no reason why they won’t play Finals if they win this weekend. Massive double pointer here. Winning gets them Finals, it’s probably as simple as that given 3 games to go & a gap between 4th v 5th.
Manning 6 - 2
DOUBLEVIEW v KARDINYA
DOUBLEVIEW
B Heta, M Leed, D Leed, N Feletti
C McKenna, L Martin, C Curham, J Steele
G Papadopoulos, M Fredericks, R Leed, F Williamson
D Cosgrove, M Young, B Conway, A Bloxham IN: J Steele OUT: T Pervan
KARDINYA
S Novak, B McGrechan, D Comrie, C Booth
B Henley, D Flintoff, P Larard, T Leahy
M Allen, M Ngui, H Vriezen, M Holt
D Radford, C Stokes, A Cocodis, M Monteiro IN: No changes OUT:
A tale of 2 ends here, as last places 1st. These 2 teams are literally miles apart with the Kats being a genuine 1 Red side & The View being a very good 1 Blue side but just found that step to 1 White a few players short.
The View have not a lot to play for other than pride but they'll still have a red hot crack as who doesn't like to play the best so they'll be up & about. Same for the Kats as they know a win here opens those long awaited bottles of champagne & they're well aware of being a target for teams all season.
Can’t see this game impacting much of the table as precit
Kardinya 7 - 1
ROSSMOYNE v BASSENDEAN
ROSSMOYNE
J Carter, W Harvey, G Maesepp, J Fitzgerald
C Edson, R Halse, N Edson, I Armstrong
R Lang, T Churcher, S Maddy, A Regan
M Barrett, A Petchell, R Vind, D Horniman IN: S Maddy OUT: G Collier
BASSENDEAN
J Krstic, T Lynch, S Colegate, A Parravicini
D Killisch Von Horn, A Britton, S Bermingham, N Kirkup
E O'Sullivan, N Hall, G Malaspina, J Hitchcock
B Dinnison, N Strachan, R D'Souza, J Holman IN: S Bermingham, J Hitchcock, R D'Souza OUT: P Hutchinson, S Davies, B Roper
GAME OF THE ROUND: For me this game is huge with 2 weeks left. Basso win this & it’s a step to safety. Rivers Rats win this & they pull Basso back into the demotional playoffs zone. Rossmoyne probably need 2 from 3 to at least have a chance to put destiny in their hands.
Basso chase both slight aspirations for Finals but realistically need an Agg here as it’s a double pointer.
If the River Rats loss this then it’s curtains. They know what’s at stake so I’ll back them to pull this one out of the bag to get them right back into survival conversation.