The Casey Cardinia Team of the Year. Back from left: Matt Fletcher, Matt Thompson, Curtis Barker, Matthew Clarke, Kristian Meredith, Beau Miller. Middle: Josh Tonna, Matthew Wade, Justin Berry, Col McNamara, Andrew Hunter, Kain Baskaya, Robbie Taylor, Daniel Mislicki, Michael Henry. Front: Nick Scanlon, Kerem Baskaya, Marc Holt, Tom Hallinan (coach), Daniel Battaglin, Michael Collins. Absent: Andy Soumilas, Rohan Hyde. Picture courtesy of visualimagephotography.com.au
By DAVID NAGEL
TRY this in your best commentator’s voice:
“DANIEL Battaglin drives long from full back where he finds Kain Baskaya. Baskaya, with quick hands, dishes off to Robbie Taylor, who takes a bounce and finds Michael Collins in the middle.
“Collins rewards the run of Matt Wade who takes off and kicks long to Marc Holt at centre half forward… Hooooolt take a screamer. The big man fires out to Justin Berry, he turns on a sixpence and spots up Nick Scanlon who takes the ball in front of his eyes at full pace.
“Scanlon assesses his options and delivers lace out to Kerem Baskaya on a powerful lead. Baskaya goes “bang” and the 2012 Gazette, Casey Cardinia Team of the Year kick further in front.”
That’s one of millions of scenarios that would make this team a terrifying prospect for any opposition. It’s got it all, a tough as teak defence, a balance of brilliant and brave midfielders, and scoring options that would leave the goal umpires needing chiropractic assistance by game’s end.
The quality of players who narrowly missed selection also reflects the strength of our league.
Jackson Parker, Kris Fletcher, Adam Giobbi, Ben Tivendale, Andrew Logan and Andrew Tuck could all slot into defensive roles… but who to leave out!
It’s the same in the midfield where Madison Andrews, Ryan White, Leigh Holt, Matt Rus, Michael Hobbs, Ryan Goodes, John Atwell, Dean Blake, Russ Lehman or Chris Mckay would all be more than worthy replacements.
And how stiff are players like Nathan Waite, Julian Suarez and Nathan Wilson to have century goal kickers in Marc Holt and Kerem Baskaya standing in the way of key forward positions?
As usual, teams of this ilk trigger conversation and debate. Some players will feel jibbed while others may feel a touch lucky to be included.
Send the Gazette an email to sport@starnewsgroup.com.au and we’ll publish your feedback in next week’s Grand Final Preview Edition.
