By David Nagel
Pakenham has the ideal opportunity to flex its collective muscle and remind everyone of its true premiership credentials on Saturday when the Lions welcome reigning-champs Cardinia to Toomuc Reserve.
While the Bulls charged their way to an elusive premiership – the Lions rapid slide down the ladder was one of the key talking points of last season.
Sitting second on the table after round eight the Lions would lose five of their last six games – drawing the other – to slip out of the finals race for the first time since the Premier Division season of 2014/15.
The downturn surprised many, with Pakenham a genuine powerhouse of the competition – sitting second behind Cardinia last season after securing two premierships and five-consecutive visits to grand final day.
Lions skipper Dale Tormey insists there were no excuses for the Lions’ rapid descent.
“The change to one-day cricket probably didn’t suit but we were still good enough to be there,” Tormey told the Gazette.
“I don’t think we adapted and we just expected things to happen for us because we’ve been near the top for so long.
“We just rocked up expecting things to happen and cricket is a funny game that way.
“We dropped off slightly and paid the price.”
Cricket certainly is a funny game – played on different playing surfaces and outfields – but some key stats tell the story of the Bulls rise to prominence…and their overtaking of the Lions in the process.
The Bulls lost just 66 wickets during the home-and-away season – putting a high-price on their wickets – while the Lions had double-arrows placed on the scoresheet on 103 occasions.
But probably more telling was Cardinia’s ability to make inroads, taking 121 wickets compared to the Lions 94.
It’s an area the Lions have identified…and certainly addressed.
New to Toomuc Reserve is Patrick Lawson, a strike bowler from Clyde who – by his own lofty standards – had a season to forget last year.
But Tormey is confident a refocussed and more determined Lawson will have a huge impact on his new club.
“Patty is going to be big for us, it’s massive, we needed another bowler, that’s what we wanted and we got one of the best going around,” Tormey said.
“Just the way he’s going about it in the nets you can see he’s going to be a player to watch with the ball.
“And he’s going to have something to prove to his old club after being dropped at Clyde last year.”
But Tormey knows that even if the Lions improve, climbing the ladder will be no bargain in a very even and improving competition.
“It’s going to be tough, Cardinia has got the runs on the board, one-day suits them, they take the pace off the ball and have recruited in that area again,” Tormey said.
“(Tom) Hussey is a massive inclusion for Tooradin, his leadership and experience, and you can never write off Kooweerup.
“Cranbourne Meadows has a new coach; Merinda Park has been quiet but had a good year…it starts a very wide open competition.”
With Jake Prosser steering the ship…it’s the Bulls to win a close one!
Last season’s runner up, Kooweerup, will need to be ready and firing on Saturday when the Demons welcome Merinda Park to Denhams Road.
The Cobras proved a bogey side for the Koowee boys last season, defeating their more fancied opponents twice throughout the season and were right in contention when inclement weather brought a premature end to their semi-final clash on March 13 this year.
The Demons have a solid pace battery, with Adam and Luke McMaster, Jess Mathers and John Bright sure to put the wind up some top-order batters this year.
Skipper Chris Bright is hoping a raging attack will give the Demons the edge this season.
“A lot of sides are going to be bowling 15 to 20 overs of spin, where we’ve got four tearaway quicks that will probably bowl 32 overs between them,” Bright said.
“But Mushy (Matt Bright) is one of the best spin bowlers in the competition, so I think we have a nice balance and I’m looking forward to what our bowling attack can do.”
Paul Stockdale will be super keen to continue the Cobras building of momentum of last season…but it’s the Demons to win by three wickets or 20 runs.
Tooradin will be hoping to unleash a top-order capable of taking it all the way this season when the Seagulls head to Ramleigh Reserve to take on Clyde.
The surroundings may be new at the Cougars new home ground – but a familiar face returns to inspire hope into the Seagulls…a club that hasn’t tasted the ultimate success in nine years.
Tom Hussey was magnificent on March 23, 2013, smacking 146 to secure the Seagulls most recent flag – and he is the key to making it happen again.
The Seagulls are forever knocking on the door, but the inclusion of one of the most decorated cricketers of the last decade elevates them into the genuine-contender category.
Skipper Cal O’Hare will be brimming with confidence this year – but understands an early setback against the Cougars would be a bitter blow to their chances.
The Seagulls will be focussed…and they’ll begin their charge with a victory.
And Carlisle Park skipper Dave Nutting will be hoping the Vikings can make an immediate impact in the Premier Division this year when they visit Lawson Poole Reserve to take on Cranbourne Meadows.
We all know what confidence can do in sport, and while both of these teams are not considered premiership contenders…and early victory could do wonders for their seasons ahead.
Nutting said his team holds no fears heading into the top-flight for the first time in five years.
“You hear of the players on the grapevine but you can’t hold any fear of those guys,” Nutting said.
“We respect their talents and hopefully it’s the same for them…they haven’t seen us play before either. I’ve told our blokes not to fear anyone and just to play our game.”
This one should be a beauty, with the home side recruiting strongly and ready to take the Vikings on at full tilt.
It’s Cranbourne Meadows to win a close one!
