International v Blue Lake
After International just received its first scare of the season, nearest rival Blue Lake hopes to cause more headaches in the 12th round of the 2022 Steeline Bendigo Bank Limestone Coast Football Association season.
When these sides meet in the senior women’s arena it is always worth watching, but Inter has held sway in 2022.
The likes of April Hockey, Satu Aumo and Ella Doody have come to the fore to help International put away its grand final rival from last year 3-1 and 4-0 in the rematches this year.
They have been able to finish the work created by the midfield unit led by Tess Andrews which has been able to shut down many side’s efforts to go forward.
But after 10 wins on the bounce, International experienced its first non-perfect moment of the year, failing to put away Apollo in a tight draw last week and Blue Lake wants to pounce.
Since the round 7 defeat to the black and blue, The Rangers have built strong momentum recording big wins over Naracoorte, Centrals and Millicent.
With these teams likely to line up later on in finals, their last face off of the home and away season will be a spirited affair.
International start as strong favourites to get the job done at Casadio Park on Sunday afternoon’s men’s game.
The Rangers need one more win to get back to Naracoorte’s level in the fight for fourth, but that is unlikely to arrive against an opponent it has conceded 15 goals in just two games.
Naracoorte v Apollo
Apollo takes on the road trip to Naracoorte slightly bruised, but full of belief after taking the fight to International in both grades.
The men’s game shapes up to be the closest battle with ladder positions three and four going head to head.
James Stephenson’s men have been building a solid run of form having lost just one of their last five games.
The return of Adam Walker to the defensive line up worked wonders against Inter last week, while Shar Nay Than and Gay Nay Say Ler provide plenty of pace.
It will be a tough opponent for Naracoorte to defend on home turf, but the likes of Augustine Halumwane and Ciaran Shouksmith will be determined to give it a crack after Centrals slipped away in the second half last week.
Apollo’s senior women should be able to mount its growing case for third position on the ladder by notching up a solid win away from home.
The yellow and black are still finding their feet, but were able to score a well-celebrated goal last week against Gambier Centrals off the boot of Ferishta Panahi.
Although Naracoorte is developing, Apollo should prove too strong with Daylia Daylia in fine form.
Millicent v Gambier Centrals
Millicent and Gambier Centrals will face off in an important senior women’s battle at McLaughlin Park.
The pair sit fourth and fifth on the ladder and although the Lions enjoy a reasonably comfortable two-game advantage, a slip up this week could make life tricky.
Nothing split the pair back in round 2, while the Lions hit back with a solid win in the rematch with Scarlet Creek and Kiah Connelly leading the way.
Central needs to keep winning after three heavy defeats to Apollo, International and Blue Lake, but showed signs of improvement with a high-scoring win over Naracoorte last week.
With top and bottom meeting each other on the ladder the senior men’s encounter should be pretty one sided.
Centrals has won 10 of its 11 games this year and hopes to further enhance its case for a minor premiership with a big win over a side it has already scored 20 goals against in just two outings.
