By DAVID NAGEL
SEFNL
REVIEW – ROUND 10
THE gulf that exists between a serious premiership contender and a team not ready for the bright lights of September was clear for all to see in Cranbourne’s 58-point victory over Pakenham at Casey Fields.
Seriously it was like watching a V8-machine, rebuilt and getting ready for the ride of its life, cruise past a cyclist who was pedalling with a broken chain.
Sure the Lions have got injuries, and to key personnel as well, but the Eagles have had a tough run of their own and are now emerging from the other side.
Cranbourne was just far too good when it mattered, using a two-to-three-goal breeze to its advantage in the first term, locking away victory in the second, before looking after the tachometer readings after the main break.
It was a clinical performance and one that came with many benefits going forward.
The big bonus for the Eagles was the return of Michael Boland, known as a ruckman but on Saturday playing an entirely different role indeed. He started on a wing, drifted forward and also had a run in defence.
The versatile and athletic big-man has clearly benefitted from a lengthy build up in the twos and, with seven more games to get ready, is going to be in tip-top shape when the hot-laps start come finals’ time.
Coach Simon Goosey has just received a real injection of versatility with Boland’s inclusion.
“He’s a great athlete who can play anywhere, but after the injury we’re probably a little reluctant to play him too much in the ruck,” Goosey said.
“It’s all about balance for us, if we push him back we become a bit tall and the same if he goes forward. We’re evolving every week and things are really starting to come together.”
Cranbourne started explosively, with goals to Ryan Jones, Troy Tharle, Michael Theodoridis, Boland, Luke Bee-Hugo and Mat Fletcher giving the Eagles the advantage they deserved, a 6.4 to 1.0 opening term, after dominating the early exchanges.
Fletcher was everywhere in the opening quarter, while Max Gearon had a heap of the Sherrin as well despite the close attention of Cory Lenders.
Pakenham’s stand-in coach Michael Holland started regular defender Nathan Brown up forward; it was a move that would have been more beneficial if the Lions had the wind, their midfield wasn’t so convincingly beaten, and if the team’s disposal wasn’t so poor going forward.
Brown was clearly up for the challenge, throwing his body into each and every contest but he was never given a chance.
The early battle between Brown and Cranbourne’s Nick Morrish was entertaining to watch, and not just for the football being played, with two of the more prominent carrot tops in the league going head to head!
Pakenham gave Gearon, and Fletcher in particular, far too much room at the stoppages in the first quarter and it paid a heavy price.
Cranbourne’s unhealthy reliance on Marc Holt continues to dissipate, with Michael Theodoridis kicking four, Holt three, and Fletcher and Ryan Jones slotting two apiece.
“I thought he (Holt) played really well, without contributing too much on the scoreboard,” Goosey said.
“I’ve said it before; if we become too predictable it makes it so easy for the opposition to drop off.
“If we get more players kicking goals then it makes us harder to play against.”
Fletcher was a clear best man on the ground, Morrish did a great job down back, while ruckman Mitch Lindsay continued to impress before an ankle injury took him from the ground in the final quarter.
This week’s bye could not have come at a better time for the Lions, who need to regroup, and do it in a hurry.
Heading in against the Eagles they had already added Jason Fisher and Damien Holmes to an injury list that includes key midfielder Anthony Young, and they were also missing their coach Steve O’Bryan who was overseas.
Lenders tightened up after a slow start to be the Lions best, while skipper Dean Blake, and Stephen Morey, who broke even with Holt, who played outside 50 at times, were next best.
Adam Alberni was lively up forward, booting three, while the debut of speed-machine Jai Rout was an impressive sign going forward.
Both of these sides’ next contests will be against Narre Warren.
The Eagles head to Fox Road on Saturday for one of the most anticipated contests of the season, while the Lions, who have now lost four of their last five and have slipped to sixth, host the Magpies a week later.
Cranbourne 15.11 (101)
Pakenham 6.7 (43)
