SOUTH EAST FOOTBALL NETBALL LEAGUE
SEFNL v MURRAY – PLAYER RATINGS
So who stood tall as the South East Football Netball League became just one of two leagues to remain unbeaten in the last five years of interleague football? The Gazette’s DAVID NAGEL takes a look.
PLAYER RATINGS
1 – Jake Smith (Pakenham) Rating: 7
Stole the show last year with a five goal haul on debut, and while not as exciting this year still played a key role in a new-look forward line. His three goals were important, as was his attack on the ball in the last quarter to set up a Jake Richardson goal which basically sealed Murray’s fate.
2 – Josh Tonna (Narre Warren) Rating: 8
Another terrific representative performance from the gifted left footer, who was best on ground for a 15-minute patch at the start of the third term. Controlled his wing and was involved in the play of the day, receiving from Jake Smith at half back, kicking to Scott Meyer in the centre who drove long for Andrew Dean to kick a major.
3 – Luke Walker (Pakenham) Rating: 8
Not a blinder by his standards, but still a very valuable contribution from one of the big-game players in the league. ‘Tex’ lifted at the start of the last term after being asked to do so by coach Jock Holland at three quarter time. All class with his delivery deep into the forward line, setting up Matty Clarke and Zac Roscoe with easy shots at goal.
4 – Luke Bee-Hugo (Cranbourne) Rating: 8.5
Started in the centre and his speed from the stoppages was crucial all day. You get the odd mistake from ‘Avatar’, but what you also get is an excitement-machine who can lift a side with his exuberance. Strong, quick, and at the top of his game – one of SEFNL’s best and a clear winner on the bus trip home!
5 – Andrew Dean (Tooradin) Rating: 8
Wow, his second quarter was unbelievable kicking a long bomb from 50, slotting a freakish banana from the boundary and then topping things off with a dribble kick from the other pocket. Times his leads magnificently and, alongside Jake Smith, turned a Ben Kearns-reliant forward line into a multi-pronged attack.
6 – Michael Harold (Berwick) Rating: 8
Didn’t win a stack of the ball but his leadership, strength at the stoppages, and ferocious tackling provide a really key piece to this SEFNL puzzle. Micky’s quickly developing a reputation as the leader of this competition and if that’s the case -we’re in all very good hands. Typically, he put his body on the line in the third quarter to set up a Luke Bee-Hugo goal.
7 – Josh Muling (Tooradin) Rating 7.5
It can take some players’ years to win respect, but it took just three quarters of calm and composed footy for Muling to be paid the ultimate compliment by Jock and his coaching staff. When the game was on the line at the start of the last quarter Muling was in there at the centre bounce to get the job done. Probably under-utilised a bit – but that won’t be the case next year if he commits.
8 – Glenn Osborne (Cranbourne) Rating 8
Imagine trying to get a kick in the Osborne backyard as a youngster! His brother Brandon is the best pure defender in the league and Glenn may well have that title when it comes to the smalls. Ultra-reliable and ultra-competitive all day, his ‘beat your man first’ mentality was critical to the SEFNL back six.
9 – Dylan Quirk (Narre Warren) Rating 7
It’s hard to believe that Quirky is just 22. Didn’t get as much of the ball as usual but was consistently getting picked up from the bottom of packs, and that was his very clear instructions heading in. Alongside Michael Harold and Shaun Marusic, Quirky had the massive role of trying to fill the shoes of Michael Collins – and he did his Narre Warren co-captain proud.
10 – Mark Weekes (Berwick) Rating 6
A frustrating day for the Berwick half-forward who was quiet early, then started to do a few nice things, before copping a knock to his leg at the end of the third term. He recovered, and showed his undoubted class with a quality finish in the final term to bring some balance to his game. Will be back bigger and stronger next year for sure.
11 – Anthony Vella (Cranbourne) Rating 6.5
The emerging Cranbourne defender looked comfortable at this level, showed great courage at times, and showed plenty of dash, particularly early in the third quarter when SEFNL made its move. Has a real turn of foot, something we can all look forward to watching in this jumper for many years to come.
12 – Daniel Battaglin (Beaconsfield) Rating 8
Backed up a brilliant debut performance last year with another cracker at centre half back. ‘B’ gave away seven centimetres in height but outpointed his opponent and provided great backup to Brandon Osborne who had his hands full at full back. Seems to be getting and better with age and could be a mainstay of this defence for a few more years to come.
13 – Matthew Clarke (Officer) Rating 6
A nearly match for Clarkey, who presented well in the forward line but missed a couple of set shots that he would normally eat for breakfast. Convert those, and hold on to a couple of finger-tippers, and he could have five or six for the day. But the one goal he did get was all class and reminded us all of his importance to this side for the future. It’s worth remembering – he’s just 23!
14 – Jordyn Flannery (Narre Warren) Rating 6.5
Started at full-forward but was moved to make way for Dean, which ended up being a good move in the end for both players. Did some really important things for an undersized back six, and his tackling was a key feature of his play. A really solid and mature performance on debut from the 21-year-old.
16 – Ben Kearns (Berwick) Rating 8.5
Book-ended Murray’s three goals with two of his own in the first quarter to keep his side in the hunt. It’s not unreasonable to suggest that without his impact the result could have gone the other way. Smooth, graceful, and deadly by foot, his ability to work up and down the ground and kick four goals for the match was crucial to the end result. All class.
17 – Troy McDermott (Beaconsfield) Rating 7
In his fourth consecutive campaign and continues to build a reputation based on honesty and commitment to the cause. The former forward has turned himself into a quality defender, but still found time to drift forward at the 26-minute mark of the final term to drive the final nail in Murray’s coffin. His teammates response shows he’s a really popular member of the team.
18 – Scott Meyer (Beaconsfield) Rating 9.5
Dear Scotty, without even knowing your circumstances I’ve been one of your harshest critics for not playing interleague until now. And your game on the weekend is why! Thank God you played this campaign, not just or SEFNL’s benefit on the day but for showing another league what an absolutely gifted and talented ruckman we have in our midst. His third-quarter burst through the middle of the ground, followed by a laser-like left foot into the forward line was incredible to watch. Opposition coach Peter White commended Scotty very, very highly after the match.
19 – Brandon Osborne (Cranbourne) Rating 9
Probably the biggest challenge in ‘Yossie’s’ four-year interleague career, taking on Tyler Jones who had kicked 52 goals in just six matches heading into this contest. Osborne won most of the one-on-one battles, with his closing speed and strength surprising Jones at times. Jones showed his quality by kicking four, but that number would have grown significantly against any other player on the ground.
20 – Zac Roscoe (Cranbourne) Rating 6
The baby of the team found the going a bit tough early but never stopped trying all day. Played a key role in Andrew Dean’s first for the day and capped off a hard-working last quarter with a goal after great play from Meyer and Walker. Could be the Jake Richardson of next year – a star at his second outing.
21 – Ash Smith (Berwick) 8.5
The Gazette’s number two ranked player of 2016 showed his class at this level, rebounding strongly and winning just about every one-on-one contest he competed in. Just 25, but it felt like the maturity of the whole group lifted in his presence. Strong as an ox, a raking left foot, and a hell of a nice bloke to boot.
22 – Shaun Marusic (Cranbourne) Rating 8.5
Benefitted from Meyer’s dominance in the ruck more than most, with his ability to read the play leading to many break-away clearances from the stoppage. Coach ‘Jock’ Holland had a heart-to-heart with the 195-centimetre midfielder before the match and it more than paid off. Has quality credentials, having played in the WAFL, but still surprised many with an outstanding performance.
23 – Jake Richardson (Narre Warren) Rating 8.5
Held down the toughest position on the ground in superb fashion, clunking contested marks and driving his big frame around the ground, using a solid work-rate as the engine. Only his second interleague campaign, but if this one is anything to go by is going to be around for a very long time to come.
Coach – Michael ‘Jock’ Holland – Rating 9.5
Another brilliant coaching performance from Jock and his team of Dan O’Loughlin (Forwards), Matt Shinners (Midfield) and Tommy O’Loughlin (Backs). The biggest issues to come from the first quarter were how to capitalise on the supply going forward and how to contain Murray’s structure around the stoppages. The move of Andrew Dean to full-forward changed the complexity of the match while the discipline of the midfield to not all get sucked into the stoppages, and play a more one-on-one style of footy, definitely made a difference in the end.
But it’s Jock’s ability to turn a group of individuals from different clubs into a tight and compact unit that remains his greatest strength. Keep coaching Jock – we need you and your boys for a few more years yet!
