By Mark Gullick
BEACONSFIELD v HAMPTON PARK
HAMPTON Park will shoot for three straight wins when it travels to Perc Allison Oval to face Beaconsfield.
“That’s a huge game for us going into the bye,” Hampton Park coach Clint Evans said.
“Now they’ve got ‘Hotty’ (Andrew Williams) back, they’ve got a really good focal point in the forward line. It’s going to be a big game for us.”
The Redbacks are aiming to scratch out another win before taking a perfectly timed bye as their injury list remains high.
“Hopefully, we might get two to four (players) back this week, and hopefully after the bye we’ll get them all back,” Evans said. “They’re all just soft tissue injuries which is unfortunate.”
Interest will centre on Beaconsfield’s returning star Williams, who will pose a threat in the forward line.
Beaconsfield has the hardened bodies in the midfield, such as captain Daniel Mislicki, Kris Fletcher and Damien Swaja, but scoring against Hampton Park has proven very difficult for most teams.
DEVON MEADOWS V TOORADIN-DALMORE
WHILE the league’s focus will be on the big clash just up the road at Casey Fields, another crucial battle will take place at EG Allen Reserve.
Devon Meadows and Tooradin-Dalmore are knotted on one win and one draw apiece.
Injuries and a deficit of high-end class have ruined the finals chances of both teams, but a win would inject much-needed confidence into the respective playing groups.
Tooradin-Dalmore was overcome by Keysborough last weekend and coach Beau Miller was disappointed to drop the match at home.
Miller will hope his players can apply the lessons learnt in the loss to the Burras.
“It’s another game like last weekend,” he said.
“Devon Meadows are looking for a win and I’ve got no doubt they’re going to be up for the challenge, and obviously we’re going to have to put in a lot of hard work on the training track to get the points. We’re hell-bent on getting that win. It’s about consistency for us. We’ve got to do everything for the win, just hack it out.”
Devon Meadows was competitive against Hampton Park, but ultimately fell short.
The Panthers, much like their opponents on Saturday, have played solid football in patches, but not for an entire game.
On their home ground, and with the possibility of key players returning, Devon Meadows will be charged to put in a good showing.
The loser of the match is likely to finish last, providing extra incentive for the players.
KEYSBOROUGH v ROC
IT will be a momentous day at Rowley Allen Reserve on Saturday as Keysborough celebrates the 300th game of club legend Luke McGuiness.
“I don’t think teams play better because of milestones, I just think it’s important that you respect the fact that he’s done what he’s done and the players come focused to put in that little extra effort for him,” Keysborough coach Brad Canavan said.
Keysborough has finally put together solid four-quarter efforts, and it has reaped the dividends in the past month.
Canavan is wary of ROC.
“They’ve beaten us the last couple of games,” he said.
“They’ve just outrun us. We’ve got to look to try and close them down a bit. Make sure our tackle count is nice and high. If we can do that and get our match-ups right, then hopefully we can get a win. We’re playing for the (Ian) McLean trophy. He played for both clubs, and we’re looking forward to hopefully bring that back to Keysborough.”
ROC’s pace and fitness could trouble Keysborough, although the Kangaroos may be without injured coach Greg Tivendale.
PAKENHAM v DOVETON
WITH successive losses, Doveton is precariously placed outside the five.
The last time these teams met, the Doves produced a remarkable final term, which yielded 10 goals, to storm home by 16 points.
Pakenham has played better football since then, and takes favoritism into the match.
“We’ll get better as the year progresses,” Pakenham coach Michael Holland said.
“It doesn’t mean that every week we’re going to dominate, but we’ve got to keep showing signs of improvement. We’re going to have to improve our game probably 25 to 30 per cent to get over Doveton. We’ll go into this game with a better mindset hopefully.”
Owing to the rivalry between the teams, Pakenham cannot take Doveton lightly.
“Over the years, we’ve had a lot of respect for Doveton as a football club,” Holland said.
“They always give you a contest. They’re a couple of games behind, and we want to cement ourselves in the top couple, which has set it up as a big clash. The last time round was a really good game, which Doveton got over the top of us, which hopefully we can turn around this time.”
Doveton remains in touch with the finals, but needs to string together a series of wins.
“It was only two weeks ago (against Berwick) that we were only 10 minutes away from being outright second on the ladder, and then to have a couple of thumpings, we’ve got to deal with it,” Doveton coach Mark Ladgrove said.
“We’ve got to stand up, come out and put our best foot forward. They’re another top side. Really, that’s what we’re asking for, if we’re going to make amends, then let’s make amends against one of the good sides.”
CRANBOURNE v BERWICK
CRANBOURNE returns to Casey Fields for its encounter with fifth-placed Berwick.
While the undefeated Eagles have been comfortable at any ground, they relish the space of the main oval.
“Our next three games are really good preparation for the finals,” Cranbourne coach Doug Koop said.
“We play three of the top contenders. We’re expecting some really close encounters, which we probably haven’t had over the last couple of weeks. We want to make sure we put out a really solid effort. I think opposition sides enjoy the facilities (at Casey Fields) as well. While the majority of clubs in this competition are Casey clubs, you’d think the City of Casey would be happy to help them. But councils being councils and politicians being politicians, it isn’t always the way.”
The last meeting between the teams, which Cranbourne won by two points, was a classic encounter.
Berwick was superb that day and will need to produce a similar effort to get close to Cranbourne.
“When you look at it, you probably can’t ask for a better challenge,” Berwick coach Dean Rice said.
“We’re coming off a defeat and we’re playing the best team in the comp at their home ground. It’s a fantastic challenge for our guys to really see where we’re at and whether they can stand up.”
ROUND 13 TIPS:
Beaconsfield v HAMPTONPARK
Devon Meadows v TOORADIN-DALMORE
KEYSBOROUGH v ROC
PAKENHAM v Doveton
CRANBOURNEv Berwick
