Face-off of the season

By David Nagel
THIRD placed Pakenham and fourth placed Tooradin’s season-long battle for a finals spot reaches a critical juncture this Saturday when the two square off in the West Gippsland Premier Division match of the round at Pakenham.
Talent oozes from the pores of both teams and with the winner almost guaranteed a place in the March action this game will have a finals type edge to it.
Trying to find an advantage for either team is a difficult assignment, a lot of each team’s strengths cancel each other out.
Both teams’ gun batsmen open the innings, the Lions’ Ben Maroney and the Seagulls’ Tom Hussey are both match winners on their day and have both been instrumental in their sides top four ranking. The Lions know what Hussey is capable of with the candidate for recruit of the season making a stylish 77 in the Seagulls’ round five victory. Maroney didn’t play on that occasion.
Brenton Adams and Brad Sauer provide the support for Hussey while Pakenham have Jason Williams in terrific form. Sean Gramc is a class act and his first game for the season after returning from injury produced an unbeaten 73 for the Lions last week.
When it comes to the all-rounder department Tooradin have the competitions in-form exponent in Callum O’Hare. A century and a five wicket haul in his last two outings show both sides of his game are in tip top shape heading into the business end of the season. Skipper Aaron Avery has been quiet with the bat but been a valuable ally to O’Hare with the ball.
Pakenham have a deeper pool of all-rounders but none in the elite form of O’Hare. Sugeesha Dinushan is coming off a half century and two wickets against Officer while skipper Mick Torney, Russell Lehman and Ben Miller are others who can contribute significantly with both bat and ball.
The fast bowling ranks are intriguing. On paper Tooradin have the most dangerous attack in the league with O’Hare, Steve Hamill and Lukas Hoogenboom all capable of wreaking havoc while Pakenham need Miller and Jason Fisher to fire. Dom Paynter could return this week for the Lions to add further bite.
After an injury-interrupted start to the season Hoogenboom hasn’t been the dominating force that most expected but one good spell could turn his season around.
Tooradin have fought hard to get into the top four, last season’s semi-finalists have never really hit top gear but individuals have stood up at crucial times to keep its season on track. A loss here could spell big trouble for the Seagulls who face ladder leader Kooweerup in its next match.
Pakenham love the 40-over game and are unbeaten at home this season. If it plays anywhere near the level it did against Cardinia in round seven then the Seagulls will need to lift to a standard it hasn’t reached all season.
A 200 plus score will be needed to win this one and Pakenham look more likely in the shorter version of the game.
The Lions to win in a thriller.