TWO almost certain final-five combatants in Cranbourne and Narre Warren will square off at Casey Fields this weekend intent on putting confidence-sapping losses suffered last Saturday well behind them.
Only one will.
Both sides were overpowered and out-muscled by top-two opponents last weekend and both senior coaches admitted that their sides were overawed.
There will be no room for anything other than full commitment to the task in this game and Cranbourne coach Doug Koop knows that.
“We must approach this game with genuine desire and become competitive again. The last time we played Narre Warren was probably the last time we played well as a team and that was a fair while ago,” he said.
Koop’s side is sitting in fifth position, but is only one game behind the third-placed Magpies and the double chance is still very much at stake.
Narre Warren coach Matt Shinners is preparing for a huge game and looking at the clash as a finals preview.
“We’ll have our review this week and have a look at the list at this stage of the year. Maybe we have to make some changes for next week and give some blokes who are in form a go. What ever we do, Cranbourne will be a very tough game,” he said.
Both sides have a smattering of top-line players and it will be those match winners that the two mentors will be looking towards to lead the way.
The big ground and open spaces will suit the Magpies’ running game and they also look to have the more potent attack with youngsters in Dylan Piening and Daniel Borninkhof complimenting the experience of Brett Evans and Steven Kidd.
That should help Narre Warren win a close game and consolidate its top-three position.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Other Games
Keysborough v Devon Meadows
KEYSBOROUGH has finally hit a patch of good form, but far too late in the season to do anything other than create a little interest in the battle to stave off the wooden spoon.
Its opponent this weekend, Devon Meadows, is still a contender for that unwanted piece of cutlery and coach Steve O’Brien is well aware of what is at stake for the loser.
“I will go down there confident, but it’s a massive, massive game this week,” he said.
“It’s a ground that requires contested footy and I think we’re still one of the better sides in the competition at that part of the game.”
The Burra is coming off the bye and will be fresh and ready to win again.
However Devon Meadows has been among the best competitors as a side this season without winning as many games as they should have, and that determination and accountability will give it the edge this weekend.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:ROC v Pakenham
PAKENHAM has had an interesting season, interspersed with inconsistency and drama, but still sits comfortably placed in second position as the main threat to undefeated Doveton. ROC is on the way up, but had a serious hiccup against Hampton Park last Saturday.
Lions’ coach Michael Holland said the away venue would be a challenge, but to reach their ultimate goal every hurdle had to be crossed.
“The smaller ground will require some adjustment of course, but that’s okay. They’ve played well this year and every game is a challenge to us now,” he said.
Pakenham showed its best form last week and should handle this week’s opponent without too much stress.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Tooradin v Doveton
TOORADIN comes off its best win of 2009 and will face up to undefeated ladder leader Doveton with confidence.
Providing the Doves now almost legendary reputation for scaring the pants off opposition sides does not deter the Seagulls, this should be a good match.
Doveton assistant coach Clint Wilson knows that every opponent will want to be the first to take his side’s scalp, but has an eye a little further ahead.
“We have to keep ticking along and expect a challenge from all the sides we play. There’s a plan leading into finals now, but every week’s a part of that and no side’s just going to let you win,” he said.
Tooradin likes playing at home and will give their all, but they don’t have the class to seriously push the Doves on the scoreboard.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Berwick v Hampton Park
WHO knows what will happen when Hampton Park visits Berwick this weekend.
Certainly not perplexed Redbacks coach Josh Taylor, that’s for sure.
“We’ll go in and let the boys play and you never know what they might produce,” he said.
“It’s no use to us going defensive and we play by far our best football when we attack and run. Berwick’s ground will suit that.”
Berwick is in the habit of grinding out solid wins and should do exactly that again, but the corresponding game was a draw at the Booth Reserve, so good luck predicting this one.
