After getting through the wild weather last weekend across the region the forecast looks brighter as finals draw near.
Three rounds of football and netball remain before finals and while some questions are still yet to be answered, the top-fives across both senior competitions are shaping up nicely.
It looms as another extremely important round of action and it doesn’t get bigger than at Allansford where the Cats host reigning premiers Nirranda in both the footy and netball in a mouth-watering set of matches.
Both teams are battling their fair share of injury on the footy field and could welcome some players back as they look to start ramping up preparations for finals.
Kolora-Noorat will also host Dennington in what looms as another important fixture. If the Dogs can secure wins in footy and netball it will all-but lock away fifth position but the Power in their own backyard are no easy task and play their conditions beautifully.
Elsewhere, Russells Creek and Merrivale will be looking to win big against Panmure and Timboon Demons respectively as both teams fight out for what looks like second position.
The two contenders are separated by just under three per cent on the table so it’ll be interesting to see how it pans out, while in the netball both will go in heavy favourites again to get the points.
Old Collegians and South Rovers loom as an interesting match in both senior competitions, with the Lions in with a shot to spring an upset.
Nick Creely
Journalist
Warrnambool Standard
There’s just four rounds to go of the Warrnambool and District league home-and-away season, meaning there are plenty of must-win games for clubs this weekend.
In the senior football, Dennington versus Timboon Demons looms as the most important match of the campaign for both sides.
A win to either team would give it the edge in the battle for fifth spot.
The Dogs sit fifth on the same amount of points (20) as the eighth-placed Demons, with both teams scheduled to play just one more game against sides outside of the top-four.
The two sides last met in round six which saw the Demons narrowly triumph by 10 points.
Panmure and Kolora-Noorat are also in the mix for fifth with 20 points each and if either could spring an upset against their top-four opponents Merrivale and Nirranda it would hugely increase their chances of playing finals.
In the A-grade netball, Dennington’s clash with Timboon Demons is important for both clubs’ finals aspirations, especially the Dogs.
Both sides share the same points however the Dogs sit fifth while the Demons are sixth.
The Demons however play two games against teams below them in the final three matches of the season while the Dogs only face sides above them.
Elsewhere, Old Collegians simply must defeat Russell’s Creek to keep their slim finals hopes alive.
Matt Hughes
Journalist
Warrnambool Standard
It’s starting to hit that pointy-end of the Warrnambool and District league season with five rounds left to play before finals.
And this weekend looms as one of the most important rounds in the context of the season.
Despite the cold Warrnambool weather, it’s an exciting time for footy and netball fans across the region.
Both footy and netball competitions are as even as they possibly could be with the race for fifth spot set up beautifully.
One of the games of the round on Saturday sees Dennington look to consolidate its position in fifth in a testing road trip to Panmure.
The Dogs narrowly escaped with a win against Old Collegians last round and are looking to stave off Kolora-Noorat who are chasing their tails.
The Power travel to Timboon to take on the Demons with the clash a must-win for both teams.
Allansford and Russells Creek will provide an early finals-like treat for fans with both premiership contenders looking for a big win.
In A grade netball, it doesn’t get bigger for Old Collegians who will be hoping to spring a major upset against Merrivale.
Dennington must respond against winless Panmure to stay in fifth with Timboon Demons hosting fourth-placed Kolora-Noorat in a winnable clash.
Premiership contenders Nirranda and Allansford are absolutely flying and will be hoping to maintain the rage as they both gear up for finals.
The two teams have seemingly pulled away from the pack but with so much netball left to play, anything’s possible in the final month and a bit before finals kicks off.
Nick Creely
Journalist
Warrnambool Standard