By Brad Kingsbury
PREPARATION will be the key to the result in this weekend’s clash between traditional rivals Tooradin and Pakenham at the Westernport oval.
The Lions built themselves up for last week’s super success against Doveton and must do so again this Saturday, while the Seagulls are coming off their first defeat of the season and must regroup quickly.
The fact that Tooradin is coached by former Lion legend Dan O’Loughlin and snared another Pakenham player in Clint Walker during preseason, adds even more spice to what is shaping as a crackerjack match.
Pakenham coach Michael Holland is under no illusions as to the effort required.
“In six rounds we play six of the best sides in the competition. It’s not so much physically, but it’s mentally that you have to get up, especially with a young group,” he said.
“Tooradin will be tough to beat.”
These two met only once last season with the Seagulls suffering a 22goal poleaxing, easily its worst loss of the year.
That is one of the wrongs pencilled in on O’Loughlin’s ledger that has to be righted, but on last week’s form the task might be more difficult than planned.
Topoftheladder honours is on the line at ROC when Doveton come visiting this Saturday.
The Kangaroos are one of the best, if not the absolute best at grinding out victories at home and have the artillery to kick goals, while making it very hard for the Doves to use their running options.
However, Doveton is on the rebound and that is a feeling that some at the Robinson Reserve will not remember. One who will is coach Steve Henwood and his emphasis has been on lifting his troops back to their best.
“It’s a matter of the players’ mindset,” he said.
“We have to have maximum pressure from our midfield on the ball going into the opposition forward line. It’s something that has given us an edge, but it wasn’t there last week.”
This will be a great contest because ROC is better than most think, but the Doves have not lost their ability and they will be out to avenge last weekend’s loss.
Beaconsfield hosts Hampton Park in an interesting game.
The Redbacks are still under notice despite last week’s win and players returning from injury could provide the key to their effort.
The Eagles are never easy to beat at home and with Haydn Robins back in the goalsquare, the young side will have more direction than in the opening rounds when they simply could not convert their chances.
Beaconsfield has the edge, but it will be another close one.
Keysborough takes on Cranbourne at the Burra with both sides sitting onetwo wins.
While the winner can start planning its push to the top five, the loser will be back to the pack and under pressure.
Keysborough has been good, but there are signs that fitness may be an issue and Cranbourne is not a side to let your guard down against.
It’s young and keeps running all day and with the inclusion of Stingrays players available this week, the visitors may have too much toe for the home side.
Devon Meadows is back at home this week to Narre Warren.
The Panthers are a five to 10 goal better side at Glover Reserve, but that will likely not be enough in the Magpies current mood.
Narre Warren is on a mission and Aussie Jones has his side drilled to the minute.
Devon Meadows will continue to run the game out, but it does not have the big guns to take on a side like Narre Warren.
Finally, there is not much to say about Dingley’s chances against Berwick.
They don’t have any.
Berwick will win by a lot and the most interest will be in how many goals Ryan Donaldson can kick against his undermanned opposition.
Picture: Stewart Chambers.
