By DAVID NAGEL
CASEY CARDINIA FOOTBALL NETBALL LEAGUE
PREVIEW – ROUND 14
THE Gazette sort of understands now how opposition coaches used to feel when dealing with Jim ‘Frosty’ Miller.
You see, thanks to ‘Frosty’ taking over the paper this week, we’ve had to make some positional moves of our own and shorten the preview for this weekend’s Round 14 of Casey Cardinia League Football.
This week’s preview can only start at one place, Doveton’s very own colosseum at Robinson Oval where the Doves welcome Beaconsfield for what’s sure to be a hard-fought and torrid affair.
Doveton’s home ground was once a feared and intimidating place to visit, and one of Shannon Henwood’s main priorities this season has been to return it to those halcyon days of the past. Only Cranbourne has succeeded in taking four premiership points away from Doveton this year – so maybe Henwood’s on the mark!
Despite having won its last five games it’s still highly unlikely, with such a tough draw, that Doveton has what it takes to play finals. To keep that almost impossible dream alive it is an absolute must that this week’s clash against the Eagles, and next week’s visit from Pakenham… well they go the Doves’ way.
But Beaconsfield has plenty to play for itself.
A win this week, followed by a home-victory over Cranbourne, will see the Eagles more than likely battling Pakenham for a double-chance in the final round of the season. Surely that’s a huge motivation to play their best football of the season over the next fortnight.
Both teams have stars in the midfield, with Doveton’s Michael Henry and Beaconsfield’s Daniel Mislicki two of the gun players in the 10-year history of the CCFL. Henry can probably expect Damien Szwaja for company while ‘Slick’ will more than likely have a shadow called Jordan Temopoulos by his side.
Doveton’s home ground will play a factor this week – that’s just what it does – but that extra little bit of talent that comes from players like the Johnston boys and Scotty Meyer will get the Eagles home in a cracker.
Pakenham’s next step on a journey that has seen it win 10 of its last 11 games will play out at Toomuc Reserve where a plucky little neighbour called ROC will try to ruin the party.
The Lions had to work hard to roll the Kangas by 15 points in Round 5, but all indicators point to the Lions being a far better side now than they were back then.
Steve O’Bryan has been quite magnificent with his leadership; while Daniel Fry, Cory Lenders, Nathan Brown and Dean Blake are getting a sense that they’re back in the good old days. ROC has the speed to trouble the Lions but the home side just seems to have all bases covered at the moment and should get the points by four to five goals.
Narre Warren’s clash with Tooradin at Kalora Park has a touch of the ‘what ifs’ about it!
What if the Magpies hadn’t lost to Cranbourne by one-point in Round 9, what if the Magpies could wind back the clock, do a few things different in the final term of that clash at Casey Fields and this week be playing for their 50th consecutive win.
But that’s all in the past now, and it’s the present, and the gradual build-up to what would be a phenomenal third consecutive flag that will be at the forefront of Magpie minds. Players like Jackson Parker, Chris Collins, Col McNamara… the list goes on… they’ll be switched on again and will give the Seagulls a trouncing.
So just what is it that Berwick is missing as it heads into a home-game against Keysborough that will surely end a five-game losing streak?
If you open your right hand and face it towards you… it tells a story.
The Wickers can tick off the five fingers, with skill, pace, a great captain, potency up forward and competitiveness… but there’s a missing ingredient, somewhere in the palm of your hand, which is stopping them from clenching those five fingers together and becoming a powerful force.
They’ll look powerful this week, because Keysborough looks shot and will provide every opportunity for the Wickers to go on a rampage… expect 120 points plus.
In the final game of Round 14, an injury ravaged Cranbourne will look to round-up the troops as it heads into what should be a rout against bottom-side Hampton Park at Casey Fields.
Injuries to Ryan Davey, Max Gearon and Leigh Holt are hardly timely for the Eagles, heading into the business end of the season, but the inspiration drawn from the 100th game of popular key-position player Troy Tharle will be enough to push the Eagles to a comprehensive victory.
