Narre Warren star Brett Evans will need to be kept in check if Hampton Park is to win this weekend’s big clash at the Booth Reserve.By Brad Kingsbury
THIS week’s crowd at the Robert Booth Reserve to watch Hampton Park challenge the might of league leaders Narre Warren will be massive.
These two sides play a similar brand of intense, physical football, but to date no side except last season’s undefeated premiers Doveton has come close to matching the Magpies in that department.
Hampton Park fancies that it can and why not after it’s recent seasonturning form?
The Redbacks completed five wins in a row for the first time in a decade on Saturday and came through the game without incident or injury.
At the start of the year the Redbacks were playing (and losing) matches of the day on the back of their finish to 2005 and an expected improvement. That turned out to be wrong, but to coach Jason Chapple’s credit the side has regrouped.
“I’m happy with the way the players have responded to our start (of the season) and now we feel like we’ve earned the right to be in the match of the day against Narre Warren,” he said.
“That said, they are the best side in the league at the moment and this will be a massive test.”
Aussie Jones’ side is the yardstick of the league and its biggest assets are superior body size, fitness and versatility.
Jones is able to swing almost every Magpie player through the midfield and that is the edge that will see the ’Pies win a hardfought and competitive game.
ROC and Tooradin square off at Starling Road and the winner will be the team that is less mentally scarred. Both suffered poor losses against opponents that were beatable.
ROC played the better football and is close to putting together a big performance, but can’t seem to close out games after working them into a winnable position.
Tooradin has done some soulsearching after slipping out of the five, but with their own topfive position on the line, the Kangaroos should bounce back to the winners’ list.
The game between Doveton and Berwick might be better than some are predicting.
The Doves are a good running team when allowed to be and that is also the strength of the Wickers under Ronnie Burns.
If both coaches decide to let their boys play on the big Robinson Reserve, the crowd will get value for money.
Doveton looks to have a class edge and that should see it home, especially if a few of its injured players can make it back onto the park.
Keysborough hosts Devon Meadows, with its sights on another victory and a move on the top five.
If the Burra is to be a real contender then winning games like this are vital.
The Panthers are nobody’s easybeats, but Keysborough has added significant class to its side this year and cannot afford to drop games to opponents below it on the ladder.
The Burra should be too strong at home in a physical contest.
Casey Fields will hold no fears for Pakenham and Cranbourne will need to be at its absolute best to test the Lions.
They play the best bigground game in the league at present and have a spirit that continues to set opponents a hard task, even when they look down and out.
Cranbourne has youth, but Pakenham has a combination of youth and experience that will give it a significant edge.
Beaconsfield will hopefully have a nice friendly and sedate match against the youngsters from Dingley.
After the dramas of last weekend, the Eagles will be looking to keep a low profile and go about the business of winning without fanfare or argument.
Dingley will give its all, but the result will not be flattering.
