By DAVID NAGEL
THIS weekend’s break for interleague provides the perfect opportunity to study the report card for all 10 clubs over the first six weeks and see what lays ahead in the coming rounds. Gazette Sports Editor DAVID NAGEL put his thinking cap on and came up with this assessment of the teams.
NARRE WARREN
Last season’s dux of Casey Cardinia football looks like taking top honours again as it seems to have increased the gap between itself and main rival Cranbourne. The Magpies have all bases covered at the moment with a balanced midfield, a powerful forward line, a versatile defence and an injection of youth that has knocked the complacency card right out the window.
Key games/next 6:
Road trips to Beaconsfield, Cranbourne and Berwick will confirm just how short a favourite the Magpies should be as we head into September.
DOVETON
Lacked concentration in the classroom in 2012 but with a new principal at the helm is re-focussed and heading for improved grades at season’s end. Currently in second position but will get even better with the return of dangerous forwards Matt Stocco and Jarrad Boumann. A big elephant stamp for the Doves so far this season.
Key games/next 6:
Trips to Berwick, Cranbourne and Tooradin and a home clash with Beaconsfield will show us where the Doves really sit this season.
CRANBOURNE
The big-bad bully of recent seasons has had a host of upstarts willing to push and shove the other way this year. The Eagles have had to change their behaviour and do some extra homework but have still emerged the main challenger to Narre Warren. A lack of height in the ruck needs to be addressed.
Key games/next 6:
The Eagles are in for a good stretch with consecutive home games against Doveton and Narre Warren the main concerns.
BEACONSFIELD
A former star-student in charge of a host of new pupils has proved a formula for success for the Eagles. A new playground and classroom has given the Eagles a private-school look, but they’re playing with a public-school steely determination. The lack of a focal point could hurt, as it did last Saturday, in crunch situations.
Key games/next 6:
A massive home game against Narre Warren and road-trips to Berwick and Doveton will define the next six weeks for the Eagles.
PAKENHAM
A quality student and respected for so long the Lions had their pants pulled down… they were dacked last season and the figures just didn’t add up. The appointment of a new tutor in Steve O’Bryan has seen the Lions pull up their strides and put in a mighty first term of improvement. Needs to work out a winning formula in front of goal but passed its last big test with distinction.
Key games/next 6:
Look certainties to win two games in this stretch with home encounters against Beaconsfield and Berwick looking likely season definers.
BERWICK
Fluffed its lines in the school reunion pantomime against Beaconsfield in round one and got bogged in the schoolyard against Narre Warren in round three… but is on the improve. Has dangerous forwards that play with the fun and frivolity of a class-clown and could turn a C+ season into a B in no time. A big watch on the Wickers!!
Key games/next 6:
A huge home clash with Doveton straight after the break and then a return bout with Beaconsfield will tell us whether the Wickers are contenders or pretenders this season.
TOORADIN
Candidates for school captain at the start of this season the Seagulls have been disrupted by a poor attendance record due to a horror run of injuries. Their text books look fine from a distance but the fine print spells trouble with so many players on detention at the same time. Needs a few more players calling “present’ when the roll call begins after the break. Key games/next 6:
An away clash with Berwick in round nine and a home stoush with Doveton in round 11 may determine if the Seagulls are flying high or perched on a ledge come September.
KEYSBOROUGH
TOOK off with the pack in the school cross-country but, once the leaders took off, turned around to see who was behind them. The Burra won’t finish last in the race to the line and if it can pick off a couple of stragglers late, will be quite content with their efforts this season.
Key games/next 6:
Will get the points against Hampton Park after the break and will set themselves for a finals like performance against Pakenham, at home in round 10.
ROC
The student who has struggled in recent times made a huge effort to improve its grades at the start of the season but the results just haven’t eventuated. Has either been studying the wrong subject or has just been on the wrong side of an opponent who has had a bit of luck with the multiple-choice questions late in games. Does have some quality young talent coming through.
Key games/next 6:
A confidence boosting win over Hampton Park in round nine could lead to something big in their round 10 home clash with Tooradin.
HAMPTON PARK
The Redbacks have had their footy cards knocked-off, their lunch-money stolen, and coach John Holden has lost his marbles over the last two seasons… but they still turn up to play. The Redbacks even got kicked out of their own playground for 12 months… but with a hard-working committee and a great attitude they will begin to tick boxes… it’s just a matter of when.
Key games/next 6:
Games against Keysborough and ROC over the next three rounds will provide the Redbacks with competitiveness… but no victory.
