Hampton Park’s Baskaya brothers Kerem and Kain celebrate a goal as the Redbacks powered away to a memorable victory on the weekend.By Brad Kingsbury
LOOK out! The Redback army is on the march and this week the Lions are in for a nip.
Hampton Park proved itself a player in this year’s premiership race and at the Robert Booth Reserve, will provide the stiffest challenge possible to the new league leaders.
Both teams are close to full strength and both coaches have the highest regard for their respective opponent, but are confident their sides can triumph.
“We’ll attack it hard,” said Redbacks coach Jason Chapple. “I don’t think they have the forward power of some sides, but they’ve definitely got the onballers so it’s a different makeup and a new challenge again.
“I’m confident going in, why wouldn’t I be?”
Pakenham mentor Michael Holland was similarly excited about the game.
“They’re the form side at the moment,” he said. “It’s going to be a physical game and we’ll have to change a few things, but there’s no reason why we can’t play them on our terms. I think we need this test now and it’s a great challenge.”
Unbelievable as it may be, given the Redbacks giantkilling sixinarow winning streak, should they lose this weekend there is every chance they will find themselves outside the top five on Saturday night.
That should be enough incentive to drive the lads from the web to win number seven out of seven.
Berwick takes on traditional rivals Narre Warren at the Edwin Flack Reserve with both sides desperate to bounce back to the winners’ list. In round one Ronnie Burns was unavailable for the Wickers, ruining an onfield clash with fellow former AFL star Aussie Jones, and this weekend Jones is a doubtful starter with his dodgy hamstring still giving him some trouble.
The sentiment aside, Narre Warren has everything to play for and must perform well at the venue to gain confidence leading in to the finals.
Berwick is a good running side and pushed Doveton last week, but will miss centre halfback John McNamara after he was suspended.
At home, the Wickers can again cause Jones and his assistants headaches, but last weekend’s loss would have jolted the Magpies back to earth and despite the loss of injured onballer Michael Collins, should have too much class for the home side.
Doveton’s games against Beaconsfield are always interesting, regardless of ladder position.
Pride comes into play with sides such as these and both player groups cherish the bragging rights gained with a win.
The Doves are gradually getting their best layers back from injury and will take a significant experience edge into the game.
The young Eagles have been playing some good football recently, but that will not be enough to stop the Doves flying to another win.
Cranbourne is at home for the second week in a row and takes on Tooradin, which is in damage control at present.
The homegrown youngsters at Cranbourne are starting to play consistent football and coach Brett McMaster has been nurturing them with patience and understanding.
Seagulls mentor Dan O’Loughlin did the same with his team at the start of the year, but unfortunately it has stopped listening and this game is set up for an upset hometown victory.
ROC has hit some telling form and coach Hayden Stanton will not let the youngsters from Devon Meadows upset their momentum.
Last week’s big win over Tooradin was described as the club’s best for the year and the confidence gained together with the Kangaroos abundance of inform players, will see the Panthers under severe pressure from start to finish.
Sentiment will be the theme of Keysborough’s lastever contest against Dingley in the Casey Cardinia League.
That said, the Burra is pushing hard for a topfive finish and there will be nothing sentimental about the percentageboosting pounding they hand out to their neighbours on the field.
