By Marcus Uhe
Gembrook Cockatoo’s trip to Officer looms large for both sides in the context of their respective Outer East Football Netball Premier Division seasons, and potentially their future in the divisions.
Both sides sit on eight points with two wins and three losses after the opening five weeks, in eighth and ninth place, safe from the dreaded drop zone – for now.
All bottom three sides are winless, giving the Brookers and Kangaroos a two-game cushion, but neither will want to drop a winnable contest in a competition with such fine margins for error.
Gembrook Cockatoo have felt that worse than most, with two losses in large part due to poor kicking for goal, against sides that missed finals last season in Premier Division in Olinda Ferny Creek and Mt Evelyn.
Both are averaging exactly 59.2 points per game, but the Brookers have been better on the defensive end, conceding three fewer goals per contest.
The floating utility battle will be one to watch between Michael Firrito and Jake Gains, but Officer will feel confident in its midfield stocks to take care of business in the middle.
While it’s only round six, this contest looms large in determining both sides’ futures.
So too does the battle between fifth and sixth, pitting Pakenham against Olinda Ferny Creek.
Tied on three wins each, both can expect to jostle for a place in the bottom half of the now-confirmed top six, and will not want to drop a contest to a contemporary.
Of the sides yet to get on the board in 2024, Emerald has the best chance of breaking the duck when they host Upwey Tecoma.
With Berwick Springs heading to Wandin and Monbulk welcoming Narre Warren to the Slope, it’s hard to envisage those trips resulting in positive outcomes.
Only Narre Warren has a tighter defence than the Tigers, which will test David Johnson and the Bombers’ firepower, but Emerald will hope that home ground advantage will give them a slight edge.
Elsewhere, Mt Evelyn will hope to restrict on the considerably smaller confides of Mt Evelyn Rec Reserve, compared to the free open pastures Woori Yallock is accustomed to.
Tips: Monbulk v NARRE WARREN, WANDIN v Berwick Springs, Mt Evelyn v WOORI YALLOCK, Olinda Ferny Creek v PAKENHAM, OFFICER v Gembrook Cockatoo, Emerald v UPWEY TECOMA.
