It may be the bye week for Ellinbank, but they’ll almost see this week off as a win after securing the prized signature of former junior Nathaniel Paredes for 2021.
Paredes returns to his junior club after starring for St Mary’s in the Northern Territory Football League, helping lead his club to another grand final appearance.
The talented inside mid began his career at the Eagles in 2010 before playing TAC Cup with Gippsland Power and featuring at Warragul. After a stint in the VFL with the then Casey Scorpions, Paredes headed to the Northern Territory, winning three straight best and fairest awards for St Mary’s, while also playing NEAFL for the NT Thunder.
Paredes addition to the midfield strengthens an already strong one, giving Ellinbank some more grunt at the contest, with coach Ben Wragg saying many at the club are extremely excited to see Paredes return.
Round two will bring plenty of interest, with some teams looking to back up strong performances last weekend and others hoping to get on the winners list for the first time in 2021.
Lang Lang vs Buln Buln
The Tigers could easily be 1-1 heading into the contest on Saturday if a few things had gone their way against Poowong in the season opener, but now, they find themselves still hunting for that first win.
Coach Josh Collie conceded his side need to work harder around the ball and be cleaner at ground level after the loss to Ellinbank, something they’ll need to be on top of facing a physical Buln outfit.
After a promising start against Poowong, Lang Lang will want to bounce back from the 74-point loss to the Eagles, so look for the likes of Edgar, Tribuzi, Sumner and Collie himself to lead from the front back at home, a tough ground for opposition teams to tame.
Buln kept Poowong goalless in the last quarter last week but left themselves too much ground to make up late. Matt Gray will again feature heavily and could be the ace in the deck for the Lyrebirds, with first use on the spacious and quick Caldermeade Rd ground a premium. Coach Michael Kruen, who will miss again with a calf injury, said in the preseason he wants his side to use their quickness, and they’ll get that opportunity on Saturday.
Watch for James Fowler and the Bakers, Trent and Jake, to again stamp their authority on the match in what could be the game of the round.
Longwarry vs Nilma Darnum
The reigning premiers travel to Nilma Darnum on Saturday and after a comfortable win over Nyora to start the season, Aaron Paxson’s men will be hoping for more of the same on Saturday.
They trailed the Saints in the first quarter but kicked themselves into gear thanks to a Jason Wells masterclass up forward. Watch for youngster Bailey Stephens as well as Kane Oldham to back up their brilliant starts in the middle, while big man Aaron Lees may be a force to be reckoned with for the Bombers’ defenders.
The Crows will want to start a little quicker this week, but a much-improved Nilma-Darnum will be out to prove some doubters wrong.
The Bombers finished wooden spooners in 2019, but showed plenty of promise against Catani, only running out of legs in the final term to go down by just three goals. With the likes of Isaac and Clay Ketchen, Nathan Campbell and Tanner Thomsen hoping to impact the game, Longwarry may need to put some time into them.
It’s a contest most will see as heavily favouring the Crows, but the Bombers will want to show more of that grit and determination coach Matt Shorey is after as they run out in front of their home crowd for the first time.
Yarragon vs Nyora
Two developing sides face off at Nyora, with Yarragon going into the match with a few injury worries after their defeat against Trafalgar.
Both sides suffered hefty losses in the tough conditions last week but will be optimistic on their chances come Saturday.
Yarragon coach Brad Wheller spoke on his team continuing to gel as the season progresses but will also hope to see some improvement as well. Watch for Beau Runnalls to bounce back from a quiet afternoon last week, the big forward too good to be kept in check for long. Devon Pollock and Anthony Daraio will also be ones who need to back up their strong individual starts if the Panthers are to overcome the Saints.
Dylan Heylen’s side fell to Longwarry, but the signs were there in the first quarter from the developing side. With much of the team falling in the 20—25 category, they’ll have their moments, and one could be on Saturday.
Despite being young, they’ll fancy their chance at getting on the winners list against Yarragon. Expect the Lineham’s, Nathan and Ben, Heylen’s, Dylan and Jesse, and Kallon Rigby to feature heavily if Nyora are to get over the line.
Poowong vs Catani
Poowong recruited well over the off season, but the biggest hurdle seems to be getting everyone on the park together according to coach Chris Doria.
They scraped home against Lang Lang in the opener and then also limped home against the Lyrebirds, at one point only having 17 fit men on the ground as injuries continue to plague the side.
Despite that, they sit on top of the ladder at 2-0, and are hoping the likes of Jack Hazendonk, Alex Doria and Patty Harmes can shoulder the workload against the Blues. The battle in the ruck between Conor Cunningham and Jackson Caddy will be one to watch, both men coming off superb first round efforts.
Catani lifted when it mattered most against the Bombers and may revert to the same blueprint against the Magpies. Cody Banbury and Trent Adams provided some fantastic run and carry, and defender Lachy Gregson was stoic under pressure in the third quarter with coach Dan Barrand praising their efforts.
With some players departing last season, including star midfielder Paul Pattison, Barrand put his trust in Brett Williams who delivered in his new midfield role and he’ll again be an important link in the chain if Catani are to challenge top four favourites Poowong away from home. An interesting contest awaits.
Trafalgar vs Neerim South
Trafalgar couldn’t have asked for a better start to the EDFL season, other than the conditions on the day.
Chris Kyriacou said his men were a little nervous and didn’t know what to expect in the wind, rain and new league, but after halftime found the fix and will look to keep the ball rolling against Neerim South.
Karl Mutke slotted three in the tricky conditions, so if it’s dry, that tally could only rise, especially if ruckman Dylan Farrell gives his midfielders first use again, allowing the likes of Jake Nash and Chris McIntosh to stream forward. Kyriacou will be a player South must put some thought into, allowed to roam across halfback last week, he set up the rebound play for his side all afternoon.
Coming off the bye in round one, Neerim Neerim South will be hungrier than ever to see the ball bounced on Saturday. With Tom Muir returning to the side, the halfback and winger could use his versatility well against the Bloods. Expect Kody Wilson to drive the engine room and farm the ball out constantly for South as well.
Watch for newcomer Tom Gill also, the Bendigo product ready to support Wilson in the midfield and allow Neerim to win the ball at the source.
Kyriacou said his side has to take on teams at face value with little to no experience against them and with the unknown factor, it could prove to be a fierce encounter.
Ellinbank have the bye.