WERE ladders leaders and flag favourites Nilma-Darnum just foxing against reigning premiers Cora Lynn in the round-18 clash when the Bombers went down to the Cobras after a 17-run winning streak?

That question will be answered this week as a grand-final berth awaits the winner.

The last home-and-away match was a ripping pressure-filled seesawing affair that whets the appetite for this week’s second semi-final. The game featured a number of momentum swings in the first half, before the visitors broke clear in the second.

Nilma-Darnum will likely welcome back key midfielder Allan Chandler and Cora Lynn looks likely to boost its stocks with the return of ruckman Brad Horazcko and gun midfield recruit Ryan Davey.

Star forwards Darren Sheen and Ryan Donaldson may return, but if they do, must surely be under a big injury cloud after carrying serious leg injuries.

Both teams are filled with match-winning midfielders and as good as each team’s forward talent is, in and around the centre is where the game is sure to be decided.

Brendan Kimber, Ryan Davey (if fit), James Bradshaw, Jack and Joe Allen will wage battle against Kane Martin, Jamie Cann, Allan Chandler (if fit), Phil Harris and Rhett O’Hara in a contest within a contest.

Nilma-Darnum appears to have more scope for improvement.

In both round four and 18, the Cobras were able to stop the Bombers from getting on a roll and also quell the influence of all of their playmakers. It appears to be a mighty hard task to keep the likes of the league’s leading goalkicker Kael Bergles and the experienced trio of Brenton Martin, David Ivey and Mal Michael quiet yet again.

If Nilma does have a problem it sits with its defence that looks a little fragile on occasions, but with Cora Lynn likely to enter the game without its best forwards, the Bombers defence should be able to repel the best the Cobras can offer.

Nilma should advance to the grand final with a three-to-four-goal victory.

Warragul Industrials v Catani

THE rise of Warragul Industrials continued after they knocked over Nar Nar Goon on Sunday. This week the Dusties face the might of perennial finalists Catani in a clash that looks too close to call.

While Catani comfortably accounted for Longwarry last week it was far from impressive, took a while to get into the groove, looked top heavy across the forward line and lacked crumbing forwards.

It would be no surprise to see talented youngster Leigh Jose reinstated into the senior line-up to provide the Blues with a better balanced forward six this week.

Catani appeared to have had an over reliance on Justin Evans, Antonio Benevenuto and Shaun Pickering last week, while the Industrials seemed to have far more options in this department with Shane Brewster, Dom and Chris La Rosa, Sean Lewis, Nick Visser and Brett Wadleton all in good nick.

A major Blues’ strength is its ruck division of Paul Youle and Phil Smith, but they’re not likely to get things their own way this week, because spring-heeled Industrials tall Ben Hobgen is real talent and likely to negate if not conquer the two big-bodied Blues, who will surely struggle to match his athleticism. One has to admire the way the Dusties go about their football.

They are the best in the business at putting pressure on the ball carrier and this aspect of their game sets them apart from many other teams and explains why they knocked over Cora Lynn, Nar Nar Goon and nearly toppled Nilma-Darnum early in the season. Catani’s strength resides with its triple-pronged forward line of Owen Fitzpatrick, Phil Smith and the mercurial Luke James, who wasn’t at his best last week, yet still bagged six goals.

Given a bit of latitude this trio can swing a game in a matter of a few minutes and pose the Dusties’ biggest threat.

Both teams should enter the match at close to full strength, although there must be a doubt over Catani ruck-rover and former league best-and-fairest Aaron Alger who has a foot injury and has been badly missed in recent weeks.

I’ve got a feeling the Industrials have the hard edge to withstand the physicality of the Blues and with their workmanlike approach and better linkman across the lines, can keep their premiership aspirations alive with narrow victory.