Tim Murray previews One White

November 13, 2009


Round 3 One White Preview

This week’s fixtures look a little easier to pick winners and that being the case I will return my average of about 2.

Bassendean (3rd ) vs Wanneroo (4th)

Although the game is being played up in Roo territory, it is Bassendean I expect to hop away with the points. The more I look at the Bassendean team the more I like it. When very good players like John Lynch and Marcel Heruer are playing in the thirds position it gives you an indication of how strong they are. However they better bring their “A” game as Wanneroo are more than capable of causing an upset. Barry Parmenter got pumped last week by Manning’s (Boof) Mcllheney but if today’s midweek performance at Dalkeith is anything to go by, then be wary of the wounded tiger. From what I saw Shagger played brilliantly.

Bassendean 6/2

Kardinya (2nd) vs Cambridge (9th)

This looks like a “walk in the park” game for the Kats but they also have to be on their best behaviour because Cambridge only lost the aggregate by four last week against the powerful Bassendean line-up. Tony Walsh is in very good form and (if he hasn’t been promoted to the Premier league side. He has) will give whoever he plays a very hard time. That being said, their looks too much class and polish in the Kardinya team.

Kardinya 7/1

Manning (6th) vs Kalamunda (10th)

If Kalamunda drop this one they will miss the four and position themselves well and truly in relegation zone. For that reason I am expecting them to lift and take the chocolates here. Last week Manning demonstrated that the loss to Stirling was a hiccup and that they are also stocked with many good players. Heal, Fairhead, Gillespie, Bowden, Pryce to name a few are all seasoned campaigners and will not make it easy for anyone. Kalamunda will look for and I expect will get better results from Neil Payne (one of Western Australia’s best players). If I was a State selector he would be one of the first picked every time.

Kalamunda 6/2

Stirling (1st) vs Dalkeith/Nedlands (7th)

The draw has not been overly kind to Dalkeith and I expect Stirling to inflict collateral damage to them come Saturday. Champions of the ilk of Marko & Tony Krajancic, Tom Norac (all ex State players) and the class of Nev Stevens, Shane Knott & Dinko Golem make it impossible to pick against them this weekend particularly at their Jones St “house of pain”.

Stirling 8/0

Thornlie (5th) vs Osborne Park (8th)

I really do not know about this one. What I am sure about is that the loser will probably be relegated next year. This is the ridiculous situation of dropping four teams out of a ten team competition. Ask Doubleview’s One Blue (North) side of last year. They had a 9-9 record and still got relegated. To highlight what I am saying (Scarborough finished above them and also got relegated).

This is going to happen to one of these sides. Looking at the way the rinks have lined up for the first two games I am leaning (but with no confidence) for the Saints.

Osborne Park 6/2

TIM MURRAY