By Nick Creely
Following on from last week’s in-depth look at how the AFL Outer East Premier Division is shaping up, this week we’re taking a look at how the Division 1 season is tracking, with an incredibly even competition to date..
MONBULK
Ladder position: 1st (6 wins, 1 loss, 1 draw)
Potential Best and Fairest candidates: Jared Major, Lochlan Beecroft, Taylor Joyce, Joel Wensley, Ashley Beck
What’s working: There’s no doubt that the Hawks are setting the pace in Division 1 with just the one slip-up to Officer, and the 2021 dominance has been built off an absolutely impenetrable defensive unit led by Jared Major and Joel Wensley. It gives assurity in other areas of the ground when this unit is playing at such a high standard. In just eight games (albeit one game was called off in the first term), the Hawks have leaked 318 points, just under 40 a game, which is quite remarkable.
What hasn’t worked: Probably being a tad nit-picky, but the Hawks are actually ranked fourth for average points per game, which isn’t necessarily an issue, but something that can be improved. This is also factoring in that one game was drawn in the first term. A heavy reliance is being placed on their gun recruit Taylor Joyce, who has booted 33 goals from eight games, but as long as you’re winning, there’s no need to worry. The Hawks have looked commanding against each team so far, but have struggled to shake Officer in both of their clashes.
Fixture: Round 15 vs Emerald, Round 16 vs Seville, Round 17 vs Belgrave, Round 18 vs Gembrook Cockatoo
MT EVELYN
Ladder position: 2nd (8 wins, 2 losses)
Potential Best and Fairest candidates: Daimon Kift, Cal Urquhart, Michael Gibbons, Robert Hartfield, Kaleb Van Beek
What’s working: It’s been some sort of 2021 season for Mark Fisher’s Rovers, who are in many ways taking the competition by storm. Well-drilled, hard at the contest and ruthless in attack, the Rovers look every bit of a premiership contender in what would be a remarkable story. Two losses (to Monbulk and Seville) doesn’t take away the brilliant work being done, particularly in attack where the side averages an incredible 109 points a match, and with a forward line featuring Michael Gibbons (30 goals), Rob Hartfield (24), Cal Urquhart (22) and Kaleb Van Beek (20), it’s making for some sleepless nights for opposition defenders.
What hasn’t worked: No season is ever perfect, and the Rovers would have been disappointed to drop the game against Seville in Round 11 and against Monbulk at home earlier in the season, but you get the sense that there would have been plenty of learnings to come out of it. Like every side in the competition, building consistency ahead of finals is a must, and the Rovers are no different.
Fixture: Round 15 vs Berwick Springs, Round 16 vs Gembrook Cockatoo, Round 18 vs Healesville
GEMBROOK COCKATOO
Ladder position: 3rd (6 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw)
Potential Best and Fairest candidates: Brayden Weller, Braden Wood, Michael Firrito, Myles Wareham, Damien Volta
What’s working: First and foremost, competitiveness has been at the forefront of the Brookers’ plunge into 2021, and even in both of their losses – 22 points to Emerald and Seville by 42 – they were never really out of the contest. Not playing a game at their home ground this year has created a really resilient group and one prepared to work hard to get the four points every week. Averaging just 60.4 points against per game is a big result, and defensively have what it takes to play strong finals football.
What hasn’t worked: The Brookers have been one of the most consistent sides of the season, but from a percentage point of view haven’t quite cashed in when required. Whether this group has enough ruthlessness and attacking firepower when it counts remains to be seen, but winning is winning, whichever way you want to look at it. With a tough run home, a couple of slip ups could see them fall back in the premiership race.
Fixture: Round 16 vs Mt Evelyn, Round 17 vs Officer, Round 18 vs Monbulk
OFFICER
Ladder position: 4th (6 wins, 3 losses)
Potential Best and Fairest candidates: Anthony Bernardo, Ben O’Loughlin, Jesse Longmuir, Jake Ingaliso, Dylan Chapman
What’s working: At their best this season, the Kangaroos have proven they have the most ruthless forward line this season, and with returning players it’s dynamic edge up front could prove a challenge for the opposition. It’s given the Kangaroos a strong percentage and a decent platform for the remainder of the home and away season. The season of midfield recruit Anthony Bernardo has been superb, while Jesse Longmuir (30 goals) and Jake Ingaliso have been all class.
What’s not working: Consistency has once again been a real issue, and the slow start to the season has probably meant that Doug Koop’s group has had to play a bit of catch up in terms of ladder positioning, but a favourable run home could open the door for a higher placing. The three losses have been to the top two on the table, Monbulk and Mt Evelyn twice, which indicates that the Kangaroos still have a ways to go to catch up, and would be disappointed with that result against the competition’s benchmark.
Fixture: Round 15 vs Belgrave, Round 16 vs Emerald, Round 17 vs Gembrook Cockatoo, Round 18 vs Seville
SEVILLE
Ladder position: 5th (5 wins, 4 losses)
Potential Best and Fairest candidates: Deng Nai, Nathan O’Keefe, Chris Nicalsen, Justin Myers, Leigh Williams
What’s working: The Blues would be delighted with how their star forward pairing have fared together this season, Nathan O’Keefe and Leigh Williams, who have combined for 58 goals. It means that the Blues are always going to be a threat, regardless of opposition or venue. The Blues have been ultra-competitive in Division 1 this season, with some massive wins mixed in with narrow losses to finals contenders. The win against Mt Evelyn a couple of rounds before the lockdown was a beauty.
What’s not working: While this can easily be corrected, three of the Blues’ losses have come by 10 points or less, and would be disappointed to have dropped the bundle in these contests against fellow finals fancies. The 114-point loss against Emerald in Round 4 was a big surprise, with the Blues having a really off day, but are building nicely despite the many interruptions caused by the lockdowns.
Fixture: Round 15 vs Healesville, Round 16 vs Monbulk, Round 17 vs Berwick Springs, Round 18 vs Officer
EMERALD
Ladder position: 6th (4 wins, 4 losses)
Potential Best and Fairest candidates: Patrick Chin, Jake Pedder, Jarrod Marshall, Nick Jansen, Matt Livermore
What’s working: There’s no doubt that the Bombers are a side with the potential and experience to make a splash in finals, and have been in some pretty strong form when lockdowns have allowed them to take the field. The most recent win against Gembrook Cockatoo away was an indicator that the side has got the mettle to mix it with the best.
What’s not working: Consistency was a real issue early on. The Bombers would have been disappointed to start the season with back-to-back losses, and despite correcting that and sitting comfortably inside the top six and should feature in finals, it’s a case of what could have been in many ways.
Fixture: Round 15 vs Monbulk, Round 16 vs Officer, Round 17 vs Healesville, Round 18 vs Belgrave
HEALESVILLE
Ladder position: 7th (2 wins, 6 losses)
Potential Best and Fairest candidates: Nick Mende, Rodney Woodford, Will Kristelly-Kelety, Shaun Donkin, Tennyson Amarant
What’s working: The Bloods weren’t expected to challenge for this year’s premiership, but would be pleased with elements of their game. Several competitive performances against Seville, Monbulk and Gembrook Cockatoo have shown that there is enough talent to bounce back in the coming years. The season of boom recruit ruckman Will Kristelly-Kelety has been excellent.
What’s not working: Blowouts have been a big issue again, with huge losses to Officer and Monbulk just prior to lockdown and Mt Evelyn seeing them fall to the second worst percentage. The side is a work in progress, and will hopefully be eyeing off a competitive end to the season.
Fixture: Round 15 vs Seville, Round 16 vs Berwick Springs, Round 17 vs Emerald, Round 18 vs Mt Evelyn
BERWICK SPRINGS
Ladder position: 8th (2 wins, 7 losses)
Potential Best and Fairest candidates: Aidan Nelson, James Makrodimitris, Jarrod Hocking, Nick Rattle, Bailey Delves
What’s working: The Titans have been an exciting side in their first foray in senior football, and will be better for the run. They weren’t expected to feature in finals, but for the most part have been competitive, have a scattering of really good young players and are building an impenetrable club culture at its magnificent new facility. Any win in their first season is a huge bonus, and they have got two victories, which exceeds expectations.
What’s not working: Like all emerging new clubs who are looking to gel and work cohesively together, there has been a few expected blowouts, and to strong sides Monbulk and Mt Evelyn, but it’s all part of the learnings moving forward.
Fixture: Round 15 vs Mt Evelyn, Round 16 vs Healesville, Round 17 vs Seville
BELGRAVE
Ladder position: 9th (0 wins, 10 losses)
Potential Best and Fairest candidates: Guy Chuol, Robbie Bertalli, Ryan Hurst, Josh Richmond, Jayden Wood
What’s working: It’s been an incredibly tough and testing season for the Magpies, who have lost a heap of senior experience, but had a competitive start to the season with fighting losses against Berwick Springs and Healesville so they can take some confidence out of that heading into next season.
What’s not working: The Magpies have really struggled to score, with their highest score this season coming in the opening round, which was 65. With that lack of forward strength and inability to get the ball into attacking positions, there has been a flow of blowouts, with an average losing margin of 95 points.
Fixture: Round 15 vs Officer, Round 17 vs Monbulk, Round 18 vs Emerald
