All eyes turn to Davidson Oval this Saturday as ex-AFL legend Matthew Lloyd pulls on the Old Collegians jumper for a one-off appearance against Kolora-Noorat.
The Essendon 2000 premiership champion and three-time Coleman Medal winner was recruited to the club as part of the Carlton Draft in what looms as one of the biggest days at the club in years.
Russells Creek and Nirranda is another blockbuster clash worth keeping an eye on with both teams looking to build momentum on the football field, while Allansford and Dennington could make for some interesting viewing after the Dogs burst into the top-five.
Timboon Demons get a chance to keep its season alive in what is a winnable match on the road against Panmure as the Marcus Hickey-coached team continue their improvement.
In the A grade netball, the Allansford and Dennington clash could shake a few things up as the log-jam for finals positions rolls on for another weekend.
A win for either side could be interesting with various scenarios depending on other results to shape the table.
Kolora-Noorat will need a win against an in-form Old Collegians as it looks to keep pressure with the top-three sides while Timboon Demons must win on the road against win less Panmure to keep themselves in touch with the top-five.
While Nirranda seems imperious at the top-of-the-table despite not having a full squad, Merrivale will be hoping to keep pressure on the Blues at the top with a win against the improving South Rovers.
With seven rounds to play before finals and the ladders across both the football and netball tightening up the time to move for clubs is now as the race towards finals begins!
| Nick Creely |
Warrnambool Standard
Round 11 of the Warrnambool and District league is here and it promises to be one of the most hotly-contested yet.
In the senior football, there are a number of games which cold go down to the wire and have huge ramifications for the end of the season.
Only one win separates third-placed Russells Creek and fourth-placed Merrivale, so a lot will be on the line when the two sides go head-to-head.
The Creekers will like their chances after a narrow triumph in the teams’ round one meeting however Josh Sobey’s Tigers will see it as the perfect opportunity to bounce back after last round’s loss to Nirranda.
Old Collegians (eighth) and Timboon Demons (ninth) meet in another exciting fixture that pits two similarly-ranked teams against each other.
The victor will walk away with its third win for the season which would be a confidence-booster for either side.
In the A-grade netball, Kolora-Noorat hosts Allansford in a top-four game which could go either way.
Both teams recorded comfortable wins on Saturday and will have their sights set on a top-three finish later in the year.
Fresh from another four points, the Warriors (seventh) can take a massive stride forward in their development if they can defeat the Demons (sixth).
The Demons suffered a heavy loss to Allansford but are a proud team though with plenty of big-game experience.
In the other fixtures, Dennington plays South Rovers while Nirranda faces Panmure.
Matt Hughes
Journalist
Warrnambool Standard
We’re at the halfway mark of the Warrnambool and District league season already and what a season it’s been so far!
In the senior football, two contenders go head-to-head when Nirranda and Merrivale face off in a rematch of last year’s decider.
The Tigers got the chocolates when the teams met in round one but since then the Blues have been unstoppable, winning all eight games to see them sit at the summit of the ladder.
Both teams have been impacted by injuries but will be hoping to have some personnel return for the fixture.
Old Collegians versus Panmure should also be an intriguing contest.
Despite the departure of some key players in the off-season, the Bulldogs under new coach Adam Courtney have impressed and sit fifth on percentage.
The Warriors are ninth and will be up for the fight but the Bulldogs will see it as a must-win if they are to play finals.
In the A grade netball you can’t go past the clash between Blues and the Tigers.
Just like the football it is a rematch of last year’s grand final between two contenders for this year’s silverware.
The Blues, the reigning premiers, haven’t lost a game all year and will go in favourites but that won’t deter the second-placed Tigers, a quality side which will undoubtedly lift for the occasion.
In the other fixtures, Russells Creek play Dennington, South Rovers host Kolora-Noorat and Allansford face Timboon Demons.
Matt Hughes
Journalist
Warrnambool Standard