By Brad Kingsbury
THIS weekend’s round-one clash between Berwick and Cranbourne at the Edwin Flack Reserve will set the scene for 2010 for both clubs and there will be no prisoners taken.
While the game up the road between Pakenham and Narre Warren would appear to be the best pointer as far as finals goes, a new year brings new hope and Berwick coach Glenn Dale, along with his Eagles counterpart Doug Koop, both firmly believe their sides can improve on last season.
That being the case, both is in serious premiership contention.
Koop has developed a steel in his side that took it to a preliminary final last year, surprising many including some within their own camp.
The addition of forward class in Kale Bergles and Justin Berry, together with the return of experienced midfielder Ryan Davey, has the Eagles ready to pounce.
Dale has again recruited several players from outside the district who are unknown within the league, but on last year’s form, any improvement will result in a super competitive unit from the get-go.
Although this game is at Berwick, a ground that the Eagles have battled at in the past, they have had a more consistent pre-season and look ready strike early. That should see them make the perfect start to the year and declare themselves the real deal from round one.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Pakenham v Narre Warren
Matthew Shinners’ young Magpies were super brave last season and that year’s experience will see them strip as a bigger, fitter and more seasoned side in 2010.
That makes this weekend’s clash with reigning premiers Pakenham at the Toomuc Reserve a real danger game for the Lions.
The venue will hold no fears for the visitors who play a wonderful big-ground game and the addition of Nick Scanlon, Aaron McIver and Daniel Field to the side will provide extra drive.
It will take all the guile and experience of new Pakenham coach Ryan Cassidy to guide his side across the line, despite the acquisition of Chris Kent, Nathan Leishout and Daniel O’Shughrue.
Pre-season injuries have been costly to the Lions, but their depth is good and, importantly, they know how to win at home.
This will be closer than many think, but only a goose would tip against the Lions at home in the opening round.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Hampton Park v Devon Meadows
This is an absolute, no questions asked, no excuses offered, must-win game for both sides.
Hope and confidence will be the prize for the winner, while the self doubts that kept both sides down in 2009 will quickly reappear for the loser.
The Redbacks are at home and are as fit as they have been for five years.
Coach Josh Taylor has added Leigh Morse, Billy Jessop and big Danny Rout to his roster, but there is still a class query on the home side.
On the other hand, Devon Meadows has top liners across the field, but have a recent history of letting themselves down with really bad quarters of football.
New faces include Stefan Baumgartner, Justin Hill, David Velardo and gun big man Adam Jago, with the whisper that there could be more to come.
The time has come for one side to stand up and be counted and that side will be Devon Meadows this week.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Doveton v Keysborough
The well-publicised events that have unfolded at the Robinson Reserve over summer will see a vastly different looking Doveton, under new coach Mark Ladgrove, take to the field for its first outing since last year’s grand final drubbing.
After the loss of three quarters of its senior players, it will be up to Ladgrove and assistant coach Ryan Hendy to guide the youngsters who stayed loyal through a game (and season) anticipated to be a tough one.
In contrast their opponent, Keysborough, has a real look of menace about it and have reacted well to the new training methods of incoming young coach Brad Canavan.
The Burra is pretty much the same unit that made the grand final two years ago with the addition of former Dove Ben Hoskin and a couple of others.
They look to have regained the fitness and desire that they had in 2008 and that will be enough to record a big round-one result.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Tooradin v Beaconsfield
Beaconsfield travels to Tooradin with the express aim of putting several seasons of mediocrity behind it and making the finals under new coach Austinn Jones.
The Seagulls, on the other hand, will concentrate on the slower process of further improvement and development as they look to build into another era of success in the charge of another coaching newcomer in Chad Liddell.
The Eagles have added class including Ryan Donaldson, Sean Alexander, David Collins and Clint Setford, while the Seagulls will rely on its emerging youngsters to lead the way this year.
This should be a competitive match early, but the class of Beaconsfield will be too great for the home side in the end.
