By Mark Gullick
FRESH from the bye, Narre Warren hosts Cranbourne in a highly-anticipated clash at Kalora Park.
Cranbourne obliterated Narre Warren by 71 points earlier in the year, although the Magpies were coming off a three-week period without playing football.
“We were in the same boat; we played three games in six weeks and they were pretty much the same,” Cranbourne coach Doug Koop said. “They were trying to work their way into a routine and they’ve been very impressive over the last few weeks with some impressive wins. We’ve just got to start from scratch and play better footy early and get a break and hopefully maintain that for four quarters.”
Koop is respectful of the Magpies.
“They are the reigning premiers regardless of what people say and what the ladder says,” he said. “They’re the yardstick and the side that you have to play your very best to beat. They’ve shown over the last five years that they have the quality required to finish off all their work during the year. We’re expecting a massive, massive game at their home ground.”
Narre Warren’s fortunes have improving dramatically since that loss and the Magpies have won their past four matches, defeating Tooradin-Dalmore (by 70 points), ROC (90 points), Doveton (82 points) and Berwick (27 points).
Cranbourne’s recent form is scary.
Despite missing several key players, the Eagles have flogged finals hopefuls Doveton (by 91 points) and Berwick (123 points) in recent weeks.
One point of interest will be the forward line.
Cranbourne’s multiple options of Marc Holt, Justin Berry, Matthew Fletcher and Michael Theodoridis head the league’s most potent forward line.
In the absence of Brett Evans and Brendan Fevola, Narre Warren has implemented a versatile forward line with Ben Wragg, Aaron McIver, Nick Scanlon and Michael Collins resting there after working hard through the midfield.
The midfield battle will play a massive role in determining the victor, as each team’s engine room runs deep with an abundant mix of grunt and skill.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:TOORADIN-DALMORE v BEACONSFIELD
FOLLOWING its shock loss to Keysborough in Round 10, Beaconsfield’s finals chances were seemingly shredded.
However, with two successive wins, including a four-point boil-over against Hampton Park, the Eagles are surprisingly back in the race, just one win (but significant percentage) out of fifth place.
The Eagles’ midfield has consistently performed, but the loss of Daniel Calteri in round five was devastating as it robbed the team of forward firepower.
The return of Andrew Williams has filled that void with the champion utility kicking 13 goals in two matches.
Tooradin-Dalmore finally produced a solid four-quarter effort against Devon Meadows to record its long-awaited second win.
The Seagulls’ midfield can hold its own against their Eagles’ counterparts, so the forward and back halves will be crucial in determining the winner.
Tooradin-Dalmore enjoys its home ground and the Seagulls typically play well there.
Both teams take form and confidence into the match and a tight encounter is on the cards.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:ROC v DEVON MEADOWS
DEVON Meadows coach Rod Keogh has a ton of work ahead of him this week as he attempts to work on several deficient areas in his team’s game-play.
Last weekend, he saw his team begin poorly against Tooradin-Dalmore, which ruined any chance of claiming the points in a winnable match.
The Panthers lost the match through the midfield, struggled in the forward half and were slack in defence.
Devon Meadows’ reliable firm of captain Jesse DeHey, Adam Jago, Steve McInnes, Brandan Wapshott, Michael Bain and David Velardo will need to play at heightened levels to drag its team across the line.
In recent weeks, Casey Cardinia teams have relied on their form of second-tier players to secure victory, and this will be the case when these sides line up at Officer Recreation Reserve.
The home side will aim its use of youthful leg-speed and hardened veterans to create its opportunities.
ROC coach Greg Tivendale, who sat out last Saturday’s loss, will hope that a tough month won’t severely dent the confidence of his charges.
Defenders Ben Tivendale and Andrew Logan and forwards Stephen Hawkins and Matthew Clarke hold the key to ROC’s chances.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:BERWICK v PAKENHAM
BERWICK aims to rebound against white-hot Pakenham at Edwin Flack Reserve.
The Wickers, plagued by injury, were belted by Cranbourne last weekend and desperately need a win to hold off several teams eyeing their fifth-place.
Berwick must regain the services of ruckman Steve Finlayson and forward Nathan Waite for the contest as the duo play integral roles in the team’s structure.
Owing to the brilliant form of Cranbourne, Pakenham is quietly slipping under the guard.
The Lions have won their past eight matches and are gaining confidence with every win.
After a lean period, inter-league representative Chris Smith is returning to his exciting form, while Luke Walker, Nathan Lieshout, Dean Blake and Kym Jones are playing at consistently high standards.
The midfield action promises to hold the key and with both teams acquiring a bounty of goals through their prime-movers – each team will have to be accountable in that area.
Pakenham’s consistent spread of goal kickers gives it the edge.
Should Berwick recapture its form, this match promises to be a tight, physical contest and with both teams keen to run and attack, a high-scoring contest could be on the cards.
“It’s going to be a big test for us,” Pakenham coach Michael Holland said. “That was a pretty close game against them last time. Cranbourne accounted for them and they’re going to come out all guns blazing and we’ll see if we can play to our best and give ourselves a chance.”
Keysborough, Doveton and Hampton Park are the three teams to have this week’s bye.
ROUND 14 TIPS:
TOORADIN-DALMORE v Beaconsfield
ROC v Devon Meadows
Berwick v PAKENHAM
Narre Warren v CRANBOURNE
