By DAVID NAGEL
SOUTH EAST FOOTBALL NETBALL LEAGUE
PREVIEW – ROUND 3 (Anzac Round)
Tooradin v Cranbourne
EXPECT goosebumps on the arms and chills to run up and down the spine when Tooradin host Cranbourne in a South Gippsland Highway showdown at Westernport Oval on Monday.
And that’s before a ball gets kicked in anger!
The Seagulls and Eagles have taken the tradition of Anzac Day to a whole new level recently, paying respect to the fallen with ceremonies that have really hit the mark.
And this time around will be no different.
The expected huge crowd will see a fly-over of war-time aircraft, a World War I dress up and salute, and then stand for the most poignant moment in Australian sport – the Last Post.
And then once the goosebumps are shaken, its game on with the Eagles and Seagulls set for one of their tightest tussles in years, in specially prepared guernseys carrying the names of the fallen soldiers from their local communities.
“For a lot of reasons it’s a humbling day to be a part of and one that we all look forward to every year,” said Cranbourne captain Marc Holt.
“We know that playing footy will never compare to war but we just want to go out there and give it our best shot.”
Holt said the amount of effort put in by volunteers, from both clubs, behind the scenes was a sacrifice in itself.
“We probably don’t say it enough, but the amount of work that volunteers put in just so we can go out and play footy every week is amazing really,” he said.
“It’s appreciated by all the boys and the only way we can repay that is to go out and give it our best, and do it for them. I’ve stayed loyal to Cranbourne and one of the main reasons is because of the people behind the scenes.”
Tooradin skipper Adam Galea said the significance of the occasion doesn’t hit you until Anzac Day itself.
“You prepare like it’s any other game but the moment does hit you when you’re out there,” Galea said. “When the last post starts it really gets you going and you have mixed emotions.”
When asked if the Seagulls were more confident of success this year, due to the influx of players, Galea was quick to make a point.
“We always back ourselves, but it’s quite different with so many new guys and it’s just going to take a while to get those games together and to know how each other play,” he said.
“It will be interesting to see how all the boys perform on the big stage.”
Galea and Holt both agree that there is a healthy rivalry between the two clubs.
“For us there is, because you always want to play against the best and they’ve been up there all the way through,” Galea said.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve beaten Cranbourne so the motivation is there to get over them. I’ve never beaten them, so I’d really love to beat them one day.”
For Holt, it’s simple.
“We just don’t want to get beaten by Tooradin.”
Cranbourne coach Simon Goosey knows the Seagulls are on the rise – but relishes the challenge.
“They’ve picked up a few and every side is putting a lot of homework into Berwick and us now,” Goosey said.
“I think it’s great that they’re coming for us because it means the whole competition will improve.”
Tooradin can now run nearly double-figures through the midfield with Nathan Page, Nick Lang, Kris Sabbatucci, Josh Muling, Michael Hobbs, Kyle Van Der Pluym, Rory Hillis. Matt Livermore and Jake O’Donnell all capable at the stoppages and around the ground.
But it’s on the periphery where they need to answer some questions.
Can Andrew Dean, Pat Chin and O’Donnell kick goals against the stingiest defence going around, and can Julian Suarez, Shaun Keenan, Andrew Proctor and Jason Kestle stop Holt and co down back?
Tooradin coach Lachie Gillespie is about to learn a hell of a lot more about his side on Monday.
The Seagulls are capable of a surprise – but it’s Cranbourne by 26 points.
Berwick v Doveton
DOVETON’s emergence will be put to the ultimate test this week when Stephen O’Brien and his boys travel to Edwin Flack Reserve to take on reigning premiers Berwick.
The Doves answered many questions with their thrilling victory over Narre Warren last week, especially about the substance of their form line after earlier victories over Hampton Park and Officer.
“We were a little bit offended about some comments that were made, that our form wasn’t that great because we hadn’t spanked those two sides,” O’Brien said after the win over the Magpies.
“Those sorts of comments are disrespectful to them, and probably a little bit to us, but we know within our four walls what we’re doing and we know that it works.”
O’Brien is looking forward to the challenge against the Wickers.
“That’s three zip now, so it’s a great confidence booster and hopefully we’ll get a few back for this week as well,” he said
“It’s a great challenge to see how our game-plan stacks up against the best. They’re a very good outfit Berwick, it’s a great challenge but we look forward to taking them on.”
O’Brien believes his side will gain great benefit from last week’s victory.
“Sometimes it takes a win like that to really instil belief among the players,” he said.
“My belief is never questioned, I know what we can do but sometimes it’s a performance like this that can make them think, yeah this does work and it just clicks from there. Let’s hope so anyway.”
The Doves have made giant strides this season and a victory here would really throw the cat amongst the pigeons.
Sorry to underestimate you again Doves … it’s the Wickers by 22 points.
Beaconsfield v Narre Warren
BEACONSFIELD will celebrate a rare milestone in its club history on Saturday when co-captain Daniel Mislicki runs out for his 250th senior game against Narre Warren at Holm Park Reserve.
“The amazing thing with Slicka is that he never plays a bad game,” said Eagles’ coach Clint Evans.
“There are players that I rate as high in talent, but for week-to-week consistency he has to be one of the very best going around. He always puts his head over the ball, never shirks a contest, and the scary thing is that he’s a better bloke than he is a footballer. He’s just a great all-round bloke.”
Well said Boof!
This is one of those games that is harder to read than Chinese-arithmetic, with both sides having a new-look about them.
Narre coach Heath Black will be shattered by the one-point loss to Doveton last week, but knows his side is going to improve more than most as the season wears on.
Darren Sheen was fantastic from limited opportunities while the likes of Trent Cody, Michael Collins and Dylan Quirk are going to take time to gel around the stoppages.
This one will be close, but it’s the Magpies to make it 21 from their last 24 against the Eagles by 11 points.
Officer v Pakenham
OFFICER will need to turn around an horrendous record against Pakenham when it welcomes the Lions to Starling Road on Saturday.
The Kangaroos have won just one of their last 20 against the Lions, who love to beat up on their little brothers from down the road.
Pakenham was wasteful, but very brave against Cranbourne last week, with its foot skills proving costly. Even exquisite ball-users like Luke Walker struggled against the Eagles, turning the Sherrin over on multiple occasions.
The key contest in this one could be the battle in the ruck, with Lion Kym Jones confronting a big-strong opponent in Dylan Chapman.
If Jones can dominate the stoppages the Lions midfielders could cut the Kangas to ribbons.
Expect big games from Ben Tivendale, Blair Allan and James Canty, but it’s the Lions to prove too strong around the ground … they’ll get the choccies by 29 points.
Hampton Park has the bye.
