Round 6 William Buck Premier Men’s Preview
DE LA SALLE vs ST BERNARD’S (Saturday 2pm – Waverley Oval)
Our fourth VAFA Media broadcast game of the weekend is a potential banana-peel game for the much-improved St Bernard’s as they visit a steadily improving De La Salle hungry for their maiden win.
The Snowdogs hung with Old Xavs for three and a half quarters last week before ultimately being overrun late. It was a commendable performance that added to their claim of being within striking distance of the best teams in the competition.
But if they are to break through and play finals this season, it’s games like this one that they need to bank.
De La Salle coach Nick Hyland firmly believes his team is improving each week. Although their win-loss record has yet to provide supporting evidence, he sees that his group can stay in games a little longer every week.
Their challenge now is to minimise the damage inflicted upon them during the 10-15 minute lapses they experience at some point throughout the match.
Last week, they were ahead of Old Haileybury at quarter-time and were just three points behind at the major break before the Bloods, led by Andreas Stefanakis, blew the game wide open with four goals in ten minutes.
The damage was done quickly, and no doubt Hyland and his team will have spent ample time on measures to stabilise situations when they feel momentum shifting against them. Winning more contested footy will assist with this – they are currently last for Contested Possession, Hard Gets & Ground Balls.
Meanwhile, the Snowdogs sit outside the Top 4 on percentage alone. Ranked #5 Attack & #7 Defence, they have been steady rather than spectacular in any one aspect of the game.
They will be keen to seize control of this contest on the inside and get it to the outside to inflict maximum damage.
Can De La avoid their weekly lapse and keep the heat on the Dogs long enough to secure the points?
Find out LIVE & FREE on VAFA.com.au from 1.55pm Saturday!
