Tooradin coach Cristian O’Brien is quietly confident about his team’s chances against Hampton Park this weekend.By Brad Kingsbury
THE progress of Tooradin’s rejuvenation will be tested in the match of the day against Hampton Park at the Western Port Oval this Saturday, with both sides keen to go at least one point better than their round five draws.
How often two teams have met after coming off drawn games the previous weekend is a good question, but trivia will mean little to either coach as they plot the downfall of an opponent that both would rightly expect their sides to beat.
The Seagulls have settled into a good style of football and are gradually learning to win again.
Coach Cristian O’Brien has been around the game for a long time and knows that success is a result of every player doing his part, but he is confident that his team has the ability to win.
“We’re coming off a win and a draw and I certainly believe that we’re capable of winning this game. It’s a matter of getting out and playing four quarters,” he said.
“We have to have an even contribution from 21 players on a Saturday and that’s the case every week now because the competition has improved and is very even.”
Steve Arvanitis’ performance in the ruck, along with the intensity of the home side’s midfield, led by Chad Liddell, Michael Hobbs and Rory Gilliatte, will be the key to Tooradin’s chances of kicking a winning score.
That being the case, the return of Redback on-ballers Linden Fredericks and Josh Perry from injury will be crucial. The onus will also fall on to captain Matt Shorey’s broad shoulders to lead from the front as usual and Redbacks’ coach Josh Taylor signalled that, given good conditions, this will be a game worth the entry fee.
“We just have to go with our all-out approach and play attacking football,” he said.
“We’re not a side that has to be too tactical. We’ve got enough firepower to win games ourselves and that’s what we will be aiming to do.”
This game will be a test of concentration as much as ability because, on paper, both sides look capable of winning.
Hampton Park is renowned for its hardness at the contest, but Tooradin is close to full strength, fit and at home.
Providing the Seagulls can withstand the initial pressure, they should settle and prove too good by a goal or two in the run home.
Cranbourne v Devon Meadows
THE tradition continues with the McAleese-Flanigan Cup up for grabs again in a match that should whet every supporter’s football appetite.
These two clubs genuinely do not like each other much and all involved make a special effort to win these contests every time they meet.
While that’s fine, Cranbourne coach Doug Koop said he and the players could not lose sight of the bigger picture.
“The local derbies are always pretty big and they will be building themselves up as will our blokes,” he said.
“But we can’t lose focus that we have to win games of football regardless of the opposition or occasion and that’s what we will be working to achieve this week.”
Both clubs are coming off great, morale-boosting wins and both are playing accountable football.
The result will come down to which adapts best to the big ground at Casey Fields and it is here that the Eagles have shown that they have an advantage in pace and system to date this year.
That should see a home-side victory with something to spare.
Berwick v Doveton
BERWICK will welcome back several players from injury and return to its Edwin Flack Reserve home ground after a torrid draw with Hampton Park last week.
Unfortunately a fresh and fired up Doveton will be waiting and keen to perform well on a ground that should suit their style under the current coaching panel.
That style has been enhanced by the inclusion of Danny Casset and, given that the Wickers also have their own big name (and big framed) spearhead in Grant Noonan, this match may well develop into a shootout.
If so the Doves will win because, as much as the Wickers have improved this season, it is doubtful that they will have enough defenders to stop players like Ryan Hendy, Justin Hill, Russell Gabriel and the Wilson brothers Nathan and Corrie from kicking a winning score.
Keysborough V Narre Warren
WHERE to now for Keysborough?
Four losses from four outings, with an appalling average of 65 points for per match, despite having what some are still saying are the most potent forwards in the Casey Cardinia League. Either the Burra attack is toothless this year or the midfield is impotent or both, but which ever way you look at it, Narre Warren will likely give the home side a nasty touch up this weekend.
The Magpies are young and light which may be a disadvantage in the clinches at the Rowley Allen Reserve, but when the ball is free all the home side is likely to see are burn marks on the ground where the hot Pies have been.
Narre Warren will win with some comfort.
Pakenham v ROC
PAKENHAM copped a good little wake-up call when it was pushed to five points by Narre Warren last Saturday and coach Michael Holland was straight to the point after the game with his players.
“Mental lapses, which is really mental weakness, is why this group has not had the success it should have over recent years,” he said after the game.
No player likes to be called weak, but Holland was spot-on with his assessment and the Lions’ reaction is likely to be fairly ruthless against ROC on Saturday.
The Kangaroos are still on a steep learning curve and despite the Toomuc Reserve looking to suit players like Greg Tivendale, Shaun Jones and youngster Steve Hawkins, this game will likely become another football lesson for the still developing visitors.
