Casey Cardinia League preview – round 10

By Brad Kingsbury
PAKENHAM has slipped under the guard (again) and now sits second with a bullet.
That bullet will be used to crack the defences of ROC this weekend and the key for Lions coach Michael Holland is to keep his young and enthusiastic side up and running for the second half of the season.
ROC proved it was capable of a competitive effort against league leaders Narre Warren last week, but coach Hayden Stanton lamented that his side was unable to down the sides above it on the ladder.
This week presents another chance for the Kangaroos to earn the credibility that comes with that feat but can they?
The Lions structure is superb with Daniel Fry, Simon Ponter, Joe Allen and Troy Willis dangerous in attack and Jared Goldsack they key in the midfield.
ROC must cover those players and then kick a winning score itself and that will be a battle at the Toomuc Reserve.
Berwick is at home to a rampant Hampton Park in what promises to be a great game.
Both sides are coming off confidenceboosting wins and both play an attacking brand of football.
The Redbacks composure under pressure will likely give it the edge, but coach Jason Chapple was aware that the Wickers’ challenge will be strong.
“We can’t get ahead of ourselves. The only concern is playing on two big grounds in a row, but we’ve got to make sure the boys are prepared properly,” he said.
While both sides are capable of big scores, the Redbacks play more accountable football and that, combined with the fact that several key Berwick players are under injury clouds, should see them win and retain their hardwon spot in the five.
Tooradin coach Dan O’Loughlin’s hatred of losing could be likened to Jason Akermanis’ opinion of Leigh Matthews. Neither can tolerate the other and this week O’Loughlin will be keen for his Seagulls to put right the wrongs of last week’s loss to Beaconsfield right with a big result over Keysborough.
The Burra is faltering after a promising start to the season.
They are capable of a freescoring game, but will likely try to shut down the Seagulls midfield and attacking options.
That will produce a close contest, but Tooradin simply has to win if it wants to play finals.
Devon Meadows comes off a good win over Dingley to take on Beaconsfield at the Glover Reserve.
This game might be closer than it appears on paper with the Eagles historically having trouble dominating at the ground, even during its recent 200304 premiership seasons.
The Panthers will take confidence from that, but it will not be enough to get them over the line with Beaconsfield on the up after last weekend’s victory.
Cranbourne travels to Fox Road to take its turn against Narre Warren and the medicine looks likely to be bitter.
The Magpies will likely be without star forward Lee Clark, but Brett Evans seldom has consecutive games without booting goals and that spells danger for the Cranbourne defence.
This will be another learning experience for the youngsters from Casey Fields and Narre Warren will win with something to spare.
Finally Dingley will bid farewell to Doveton before it transfers to the Southern Football League, but the sendoff will probably not be as cordial as the Dingoes would like.
Doveton will take out retribution for last weekend’s loss to Hampton Park and the damage could be nasty.
Doveton will not be in the mood for mercy and this game is a chance for several of the Doves’ lesser lights to stand up and demand to be considered in its best team.