INGLEWOOD is finally on the board after a gruelling draw in the first couple of rounds against the Loddon Valley league’s more dominant sides.
May only be one win but it came against the side some observers, those without the benefit of gazing into my crystal ball, thought would be this season’s big improver and glamour side, Newbridge.
My prediction is that seven wins will secure fifth spot this year. Inglewood only needs six more and a second should come when the Blues make their way to the Maiden Gully Dome on Saturday.
Yes, the Eagles have two “wins” but they have come against Mitiamo and Calivil. If the Blues can do the deed for a second week, there’s clarity almost as good as The Oracle’s predictions for who will make the final.
There’s been a lot of hype about the battle of the goal kickers. Talking to the league president Simon Tuohey the other day, the smile on his dial was brighter than my freshly-polished crystal ball. “This is great for football,” Tuohey said of the exploits of Bears Lagoon Serpentine’s Josh Mellington and Bridgewater’s Lachlan Sharp. 
“There’s been a real influx of players into the league this season and these two have created a lot of interest,” according to the league guru.
How right you are Simon! And on Saturday these two clubs go head-to-head and both coming off losses to the other pair of powerhouses Marong and Pyramid Hill.
Serpentine I maintain has greater depth and this will see the grumby Bears wander over the Salisbury plains and account for the Mean Machine.
A few words of caution. Nathan Twigg’s return date to the game remains unknown and Serp will be without Andy Gladman who’s off on a  work trip to  Germany for two weeks.
But the Bears have greater depth and my spies from Janiember Park have confirmed they will not wilt like lower ladder sides to the intimidation of Bridgewater.
Gazing ahead, Mitiamo had its chances against Calivil on Saturday. Says that the Superoos when playing at its home ground - the most venerable of grounds, the John Forbes Oval - might grab a couple of surprise scalps later in the season.
- GLENN CATTO