By Brad Kingsbury
THIS weekend will test the mettle of two major finals’ contenders when fourth-placed Narre Warren hosts second side Cranbourne at Fox Road.
The young and exciting Magpies will enter the game as favourites over the Eagles, but that will mean little on this year’s exposed form, because both sides have demonstrated that they are capable of winning close games and responding to pressure.
Cranbourne will likely welcome back classy playmaker Callum Lester, while Magpie supporters will hope to see the return of captain Glenn Hamilton and experienced key-position player Steven Kidd.
That will make the game a true test of skill and persistence, a fact acknowledged by Narre Warren coach Matt Shinners.
“The games don’t get any easier do they? We take on Cranbourne at home and it’s another big challenge,” he said.
“We’ll have a good week on the track and start concentrating on this, but it would be nice to have ‘Skiddsy’ and ‘Hammo’ back, but we’ll have to wait and see.”
His Eagles counterpart Doug Koop took a slightly different line, but agreed that the expectations of the contest were high.
“We set some goals at the start of the year and games like this are the ones you always look forward to,” he said. “This is a step up for us and if we are any chance of winning, we have to play well for the whole contest. We must walk away with a really solid effort whether we win or lose. If you want to be at that level you must be able to compete with the best opposition.”
Cranbourne has travelled well this year, but last season copped a caning at the hands of the Magpies at this venue.
While it is a different look Magpie line-up this year, they are still playing with great flair at home and should have the pace to hold off the Cranbourne challenge again.
DEVON MEADOWS V
BEACONSFIELD
THE clash between Devon Meadows and Beaconsfield will be the first one played for the McMillan Cup in honour of Terry McMillan, who has a long involvement at both clubs.
While the sentiment is fine, that will matter little to the two playing groups who are in serious need of a win to keep their inconsistent seasons on the up.
Beaconsfield supporters will be hoping that key forward Lachlan Oakley comes up for the game from injury after the Eagles struggled in attack during their last hit-out prior to last weekend’s bye.
The Panthers are on the up, but could not press home the point last week.
The winner of this game will be the side that plays four quarters of consistent and persistent football.
Beaconsfield has the bigger challenge, given the game is at the Glover Reserve, but the Eagles also look to have the better depth of class on paper.
It looks an evenly pitched battle, but Beaconsfield might have too many avenues to goal.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:ROC v Keysborough
ROC will give itself a good chance of downing Keysborough at Starling Road this week, despite last weekend’s ordinary form against Pakenham.
The Kangaroos are a better running side this year and their recruits are standing up week after week giving good direction to the youngsters around who the club hopes to build another era of success.
Keysborough was much better against Narre Warren last weekend, but still came away without a win.
Burra coach Greg Siwes has finally got the majority of his senior list together and if they click, then there might be another twist or two in the direction of the Casey Cardinia League season.
Keysborough will not mind the Kangaroos’ ground and their tall forwards look just about ready to fire, so this week might be the one to break the Burra win drought.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Doveton v Tooradin
DOVETON is cruising along nicely on paper, but there is still significant improvement required if the Doves expect to challenge for the premiership this season.
It goes without saying that when they run into keen but inferior opposition such as this weekend’s opponents Tooradin, the Doves should have little trouble recording a win.
In-form players like Danny Casset, Justin Hill and Clint Wilson will be keen to press home the advantage, but cannot take the Seagulls easily. Tooradin coach Cristian O’Brien said he and his players were looking forward to the challenge.
“They’re one of the top sides, but we’ll go up there with the right attitude and nothing to lose and see what happens. We’re looking forward to the challenge this year and that’s another positive,” he said.
Tooradin has improved this year, but will have more of an idea how much further they have to go after this game.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Hampton Park v Pakenham
HOW Hampton Park can topple Pakenham is one of the greater mysteries the 2009 season will throw up.
The simple answer is that they can’t unless the Redbacks play their absolute four-quarter best football and the Lions have a horrible day at the office.
The Redbacks capitulated last week and are clearly pluggi-ng gaps at present, with little depth to call on, while the Lions are in cruise control and will simply be too good.
The Redbacks best hope might be a dose of swine flu sweeping through the Toomuc Reserve!
