By Brad Kingsbury
THE clash between Narre Warren and Doveton at Fox Road promises everything a football match should – high skills and fit players, toughness, tradition and make-or-break desperation to start the new season with a win.
Matthew Shinners’ reigning triple premiers have suffered a well-publicised exodus of experience over the summer led by the Clark twins Ricky and Lee, the Brewster brothers Danny and Shane, Brad Scalzo and Nick Scanlon.
But the new wave of young talent that has taken their place has already proved its worth in the lead-up games and should the Doves dare take them lightly, the scoreboard will not be an enjoyable read at the final siren.
Under new coach and favourite son Clint Wilson (assuming Football Victoria okays his coaching accreditation), Doveton has had a great build-up to the season and will be fit and hungry.
The addition of former Frankston big man Russell Gabriel will be a huge bonus, as will the increase in depth among the senior group.
The word is that Doveton folk firmly believe that the much-vaunted ‘premiership window’ is well and truly open for them this year and a loss to the Magpie youngsters is not an option this week.
It is fair to say that Doveton never reacts well to losing, let alone in round one of a new season.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:ROC v Hampton Park
ROC has signed the marquee recruit of 2009 in Greg Tivendale and that has topped off a pre-season of new hope under debut coach Kris Fletcher.
Tivendale has been joined by several new faces including big-marking forward Kym Jones and hard-at-it midfielder Shaun Jones and the Kangaroos are aiming to firstly regain respect and secondly claw their way up the ladder this season.
Their round-one opponent is Hampton Park that has undergone some changes after unexpectedly making a semi-final last year.
New coach Josh Taylor replaced Jason Caples after Christmas and a number of players departed led by midfielders David Biagi and Jack Besley.
On the plus side was the return of Matt Shorey to the fold and, again, the Redbacks pre-season form has been encouraging despite looking to have an inferior list to last year.
Hampton Park should never be underestimated, but if ROC intends to make a mark in 2009, it must start by beating a good-quality opponent at home.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Devon Meadows v Berwick
The events that unfold at Glover Reserve this Saturday will go a long way to demonstrating whether all the positive propaganda that has been forthcoming from both Devon Meadows and Berwick since last year is genuine or just more hot air.
The Panthers have worked hard under Steve O’Brien and not been as public about their prospects as the Wickers, but still openly expect to play in the finals this year.
Inconsistent forward Matthew Davey has left, but the addition of classy Daniel Rigg is a real bonus and will take some of the heat off a fully fit Aaron Henneman.
Berwick’s pre-season on-field has been better than in previous years under new coach Glenn Dale and a completely new team of assistants, however an off-field power struggle to run the club has been a distraction.
Recruits including Jason Heath, Shaun Calamatta and Darren Granger have shown that they are the real deal and, providing they can play as a team, the Wickers look to have the ability to start 2009 with a close victory.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:
Beaconsfield v Tooradin
If Beaconsfield does not comfortably beat Tooradin at the Perc Allison Reserve on Saturday, it can forget about playing finals in 2009.
It is that simple for Robbie Taylor’s talented, but at times, underperforming group of players.
The Eagles have added strong key-position players Lachlan Oakley and Daniel Calteri to their list and, with the return of Taylor and champion ruckman Chris Kelf, the side’s prospects are good for the year.
That assumes firstly, all remain fit and, secondly, the club’s youngsters are now ready to take the next step and become regular four-quarter performers.
At the Western Port oval Cristian O’Brien has finally got some talent to work with after the return of Beau Miller and recruitment of former Collingwood forward Chad Liddell, Clint Setford and Rory Gilliatte.
That’s enough to start the rebuilding process, but the process will not happen overnight and, while the Seagulls will be competitive and win games in 2009, they will not sing their song this weekend.
