Adelaide Footy League: Wakefield Sports Clinic Division 7 Round 3 preview
ADELAIDE Lutheran looks set to cut Para Hills down to size when the two unbeaten sides come together in the match-of- the-round on Saturday.
ADELAIDE Lutheran looks set to cut Para Hills down to size when the two unbeaten sides come together in the match-of- the-round on Saturday.
The Bulldogs appear to have a little more bite in their line-up at present and should prove that they are the Wakefield Sports Clinic division seven premiership favourites.
Captain Chris Koenig and goalsneak Ashley Goodall regularly see a lot of the ball and direct the run of play through a well honed group of skilful offsiders including Tom Kowald, Shane Hickey, Lachlan Richter, Ashley Gilliland and Caleb Hoklas.
The Big Reds, at home, should still be able to take it up to their more fancied opponents but it will require a great effort from Shaun Holland, Matthew Rowe, Chris Strange, Tyson Lees and Shane Hanson while more assistance around goal is given to spearhead Paul Cree.
It should be an entertaining fixture though which will tell us much about what to expect for the rest of year.
Another close encounter after the Easter break should be North Pines clash against St Pauls OS.
The Redbacks seem to be a two-to-three goal better side on their own confines of Andrew Smith Reserve which the Saints will have to counter if they wish to win this week.
Phil Dudley is always capable of kicking a bag of goals if the likes of Cooper Sharp, Ricky Hansen, Josh Weetra, Tjerayh Ware and Damien Wanganeen can send the ball forward on enough occasions for North Pines.
However, St Pauls OS’s coach Darren West is counting on his troop to restrict that supply and create more of their own opportunities to maintain pressure on the top five.
Success here will be crucial even as early as round three for the Saints to have any chance of
experiencing finals action again this season such is the dominance of the sides leading the way currently.
Ryan Smiech, Josh Adamo, Matthew Liebelt, Ryan Comyns, Sean Bockman and Jalen Bryant are sure to be reminded of the importance of these matches.
Adelaide University will be hoping to make things difficult for St Pauls OS as well in the fight for fifth spot.
The Blacks gave Para Hills a hard time in round two but will need to lift their work rate higher again when meeting a strong Tea Tree Gully outfit this week.
The Gullies have been commanding in their two opening games and are showing signs that they are the main threat to Adelaide Lutheran’s title prospects.
Therefore Adelaide University’s Dominic Davis, Daniel Gardner, Daniel Polkinghorne, Sam Lemm, Tom Milton and Alex Ireland will have to have a major impact on proceedings to stun the might of their opposition.
One-sided affairs are likely to be the conclusion of the remaining weekend encounters, with Mitchell Park and Flinders University expected to be too potent for the already struggling Central United and Prince Alfred OC respectively.