AFTER a solid string of matches in round six, round seven has thrown up five games that are nearly impossible to tip.
Busselton travels to Collie in a danger game for the Magpies, while Donnybrook and Harvey promises to be a terrific clash between two emerging sides.
Here are our South West Football League previews for round seven.
HBL will be hungry after suffering their fifth consecutive loss to the Busselton Magpies last week.
It’s been a harsh start to the year for the Lions who began with a win before being trounced by a number of sides and now they come up against the top of the table Panthers.
Carey Park maintains a 5-1 record after the first six games and has been very impressive.
They move the ball well through the midfield and aren’t afraid to use the corridor.
Their risk-taking does make them prone to a couple of turnovers, but they back their skills to win out.
That’s exactly why I’ll tip them to win this game, along with many other factors.
Watching HBL’s midfield against Augusta-Margaret River a few weeks ago, it was noticeable that they enjoyed using the wings.
Whether that was because of planning, the wet weather or just because it’s their natural playing style I’m not sure.
But I am sure that if they try to crack Carey Park’s defence by taking the long way around and letting the defenders get set, it will be a long day for the Lions.
Carey Park will rebound off any turnover HBL gives them and run it down the other end.
But if HBL dare to take a risk or two and use their run early, they may make a contest out of this match.
But stopping Graham Jetta seems close enough to impossible at the moment, so a Carey Park win looks the likely outcome.
Tip: Carey Park.
Margin: 44 points.
So I copped some flack earlier this week due to some miss-communication about comments I made towards the Collie Eagles and may cop some more about tipping against them here.
But that does not mean I think the Eagles are a write-off for this match.
In fact, I was extremely tempted to tip Collie coming into this game, but alas, I opted for Busselton simply because of their better record.
Heading up the hill is not easy for any side and I’m not sold on Busselton yet.
Their loss to South Bunbury was poor and they were not overly impressive in their win against HBL.
Contrary to popular belief, I DO believe that Collie’s Corey Griggs is a great midfielder in this league and if he can marshal his troops then his side is a solid chance to win the match – especially with captain Matt Blackford on the field again.
But it is possible that Collie having their only win for the season taken from them after a rule debate could demoralise the side for the coming game.
Going against Collie’s midfield is Dan McGinlay, Chris Kane, Nathan Bradbury and James Price – a solid and very fast moving group.
Busselton uses precise handballs to free up their players and then pumps the ball forward to their goal kickers.
It’s extremely hard to judge this match as clouds surround both teams, and although I’m giving Busselton my tip, this will be a great match.
Tip: Busselton.
Margin: 7 points.
I know there are a number of good games on this weekend, such as the one above, but I think this one is the pinnacle of them.
Two country sides on the rise up the ladder will meet at VC Mitchell Park in Donnybrook to test their talent.
This tip is hard no matter what you base it on, so I’m reverting to the old fashion way, tipping with form and going with Donnybrook.
Both sides have won their last two games but where Harvey has beaten the bottom two teams in Bunbury and Collie, Donnybrook has topped powerhouse sides Eaton and Carey Park.
But make no mistake – the Bulls can win this game.
They’ve got a good mix of talent and are hungry for some success.
Dan Lieshman is proving that he’s worth every penny while Josh Krispyn and Mark Cherubino have had impressive starts to the season.
But Donnybrook can counter that with the likes of ruckman Brett Francisco who is proving to be a solid pick-up for the Dons, Simon Parry and Jason Brennan.
The Dons also have a good selection of players who are not known as “stars”.
Levi Pope was a solid back pocket when he was at the Bulls last season and will continue to improve for the Dons, while Milan Kokir and Jarrad Guglielmana are regular fixtures on their league roster.
I’m having a hard time splitting this game, especially since the Bulls have been a bit of a bogey side for Donnybrook, but the Dons should take the points.
Tip: Donnybrook
Margin: 4 points.
Another top notch game awaiting us in round seven, this one has the makings of a classic.
Eaton is coming off their worst loss in a long time and will want redemption, while AMR is looking to return the winner’s list after suffering a loss to Carey Park.
Although they were dealt a heavy loss from the Panthers, AMR was not disgraced.
They were without superstar player Hamish Shepheard but some of their play was still damaging and they kept at it until the end.
Eaton on the other hand never really put up much fight at all in their match.
I’ve decided to go against the Boomers for the first time in a while here.
The main reason I’m going to choose AMR in this game is that they’re not afraid to take a few risks.
After watching a couple of their games it’s easy to see they prefer to move the ball quickly through their midfielders hands and get it to their damaging players around the forward half of the ground.
Sometimes the Hawks get caught out using one too many handballs, but that’s okay when you’re taking the game on like they are.
Eaton plays a similar style and has a little more precision by foot, but if AMR can pressure them enough then the precision won’t be a factor.
Ben Gerrans has been impressive for the Hawks this season along with Vaughan Colyer and they will need to be at their best against Eaton’s star midfield.
Tip: AMR
Margin: 13 points.
This matchup is a tipster’s worst nightmare.
South Bunbury maintains a 3-3 record after getting the points from Collie’s stripped loss, but they have not been impressive in the first six rounds.
Their 10-goal drubbing from the Harvey Bulls was a low point for the Tigers, while their victories over HBL and Busselton were solid but not overly inspiring.
If it was not for Collie’s mishap of having 19 men on the field, the Tigers would have lost to a winless side in front of their home fans.
Still, I’m going to tip them over the winless Bulldogs, but with much caution.
The Bulldogs kept their loss to Harvey to a respectable margin and their young squad has shown some good improvement over the first six games of the season.
But I’m going to back South Bunbury’s names in the midfield to get the job done.
Ben Jerez is in good form while Matt Giacci, Damon Bull and Shaun Crane remain a talented group.
They should be able to get the better of Bunbury’s inexperience and punt the ball forward enough times to kick a winning score.
But if there was ever a stage for Bunbury to open their account on the 2015 season, it is this one.
Tip: South Bunbury
Margin: 14 points
