ROUND17PREVIEWS

A number of Stonecats were down on their usual impact last week as Bonny gave them a mighty crack. Tall forward Josh Patullo kicked 5 goals to take his season tally to 40 from only 11 games and might be YCW’s most important player heading into this year’s finals series. One to watch for the Stonecats is championmidfielderMattLaFontainewhoseexplosive paceandball-winningabilityhasseenhimstarforthis YCWsidesincehisteenageyears.

RedHillvsFrankstonBombers

The Bombers recorded a commanding 10 goal win as theylooktosecuretheirplaceinsidetheTop5withtwo roundsremainingandawinoverRedHillherewillgoa long way to securing finals footy for John Brown’s boys in 2023. The Hillmen will be looking to respond after a disappointing result against Pines last week and as recent weeks have shown, the Hillmen can beat anybodyontheirday.

18-year-old Charlie Robinson-Cay was a shining light for Red Hill last week as he continues to impress since coming into this senior lineup. Jake Di Pasquale, Thomas Slattery and Daniel McNamara also stood up for the Hillmen last week and will need to be at their best yet again this week if they are top topple the Bombers. Last year’s Division One Team of the Year Captain Jonah Siverson will be one to watch in this clashasheshowntheabilitytoplayateitherendofthe groundandisatoughplayertomatchupon.

The Bombers had winners all over the field last week and with only two weeks until finals footy, are a real darkhorse for the 2023 Division One Flag. Harry Prior, Seth Harris and Mitchel Charles impressed last week with Khan Harteuku the star man in the win. Haretuku kicked 3 goals, took 9 marks and had 16 disposals in a bigdayout.

The boys from Baxter Park need to find a way to topple Rosebud with Sorrento hot on their heels for 5thplace,there’salotonthelineinthisone.

BonbeachvsSorrento

Bonbeach were desperately close to clinching an importantwinoverYCWlastweekandnowhaveno room for error in the final two rounds with the Sharksneedingtowinbothoftheirfinaltwogames to secure safety from relegation. Sorrento were far more fortunate last week, securing a huge victory over Mt. Eliza to keep their dreams of finals footy alive.

Bailey Holt’s match winning goal last week over Mt. Eliza has kept Sorrento’s dreams of finals well and truly alive as they now sit only 4 points behind the FrankstonBombersintheirracefor5thplaceonthe Division One Ladder. Myles Poholke is coming off a huge game in which the powerful midfielder recorded 24 disposals and 2 goals and alongside Shannon Gladman, James Hallahan and Chad Harris were able to dominate the Mt. Eliza midfield. Watch for Poholke and company to be influential againinthisclash.

For Bonbeach Angus Grant was impressive in the ruckwith34disposalsand8clearanceswhilstBeau Bailey, Jet Peckett and Trent Dennis-Lane all stood up against fierce competition last weekend. Bonny needtofindawaytowalkawaywiththewinifthey wish to avoid playing in Division Two next year and will have their work cut out for them against a hungrySorrentosidepushingforfinals.BenMcLean will be one to watch in this contest, with the versatile big man able to play a variety of positions andwillbecrucialtoapotentialwinhere.