Local football resumes this Saturday after a competition bye last week courtesy of the King’s Birthday holiday long weekend.
Both the Omeo and District Football Netball League and East Gippsland Football Netball will host a full round of interesting matches.
ODFNL
Buchan will host Lindenow South with the Swampies likely to have too much experience and class at this stage.
Swan Reach, which is close to a win, will welcome reigning premier Swifts Creek, who need to win to keep in the running for a finals berth.
The Demons looked to have turned the corner when drawing with Bruthen a couple of weeks ago, before an uninspiring effort against the Swampies last round.
The Swans have been in most games until half time this season, but have struggled in second halves.
One suspects they are due – could it be this week at the expense of the reigning premier?
Omeo Benambra and Bruthen will clash at altitude in what could be cold and wet conditions. The Bulldogs will be hoping to make more of an impression against the top two sides than they have thus far this season.
They could be the big improver as the season progresses but they have appeared to stagnate in recent weeks.
The unbeaten Omeo looks likely to bank another four points.
EGFNL
Wy Yung is at home to Lakes Entrance and the Tigers will have too many tricks at this stage for the redeveloping Seagulls.
Lindenow and Boisdale Briagolong will renew acquaintances at the Lindenow Oval. Several of the main powerbrokers in the competition will be keen to see how the Bombers restructure their forward line after key forward, Jesse Bedggood suffered a significant leg injury in the match against Wy Yung.
The Cats have been around the mark for most of the season, rarely blown away, but are still winless. At home they can be dangerous but the Bombers have too much to play for at this stage.
Stratford hit form in recent weeks and at home they should get over the top of Paynesville, who continue to be low on personnel, decimated by injuries and unavailabilities early in season 2024.
The match of the round is clash between ladder leader Lucknow and fifth-placed Orbost Snowy Rovers, who could potentially find itself two games out of the top four if it was to lose.
The Blues will know if they can kick 12-13 goals they will be a chance of causing an upset but that is no easy task against a staunch Magpie defence led by Andrew Nelson, Jesse Glassborrow and Sam Park.
