By Mark Gullick
ROBERT Booth Reserve will be the focus of the Casey Cardinia League this weekend when Cranbourne and Hampton Park meet in a top-of-the-table clash.
Cranbourne takes an unblemished record into the match against surprise-packet Hampton Park.
While both teams are in great form, an injury cloud hangs over several quality players from both sides.
Cranbourne trio Justin Berry, Laurence Angwin and Matthew Thompson copped injuries last week.
During Hampton Park’s win over Berwick on 12 June, Steven Watson, Matthew Shorey, Scott Eastwood and Jamie Rondinella were injured.
They missed last weekend’s clash with Narre Warren and are not guaranteed to take their places against the Eagles.
Those four players represent Hampton Park’s spine and their presence and fitness could play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the game. Cranbourne’s threesome will play.
“They smashed us down there a few years ago and a lot of those players are still playing there,” Cranbourne coach Doug Koop said.
“We’re expecting a really tough encounter. Their form has been very good – they’ve knocked over Narre and Berwick.”
The midfield will be an exciting battle.
“In any game, regardless of who you play, if you get a start in the middle it’s going to help set up a winning score,” Koop said.
“We’ll be looking for our onballers not only to play well themselves, but (also to) restrict them. They’ve got some quality in the midfield and they’ve got some scoring power.”
Hampton Park coach Clint Evans believes his team still has room for improvement.
“While we’ve beaten Narre and Berwick, we know those two sides are still going to be up there,” he said.
“We’ve just got to keep competing and get some respect around the competition. Our intent this year has been fantastic and we’re keen to create a contest and have another big week.”
Evans has a healthy respect for the Eagles.
“They score pretty heavily and they’ve got three players in the top five in the goalkicking,” he said.
“We’ve just got to make sure the pressure from our midfield is up and don’t let them get it in there too quickly because one-on-one they’re pretty strong.”
While Hampton Park cannot knock Cranbourne from top place, the Redbacks will be keen to show the league that the premiership is not a one horse race.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Devon Meadows v Keysborough
WHILE the main event may be a short drive up the road, EG Allen Reserve will host an equally intriguing battle between the competition’s two winless teams.
Devon Meadows will host the refreshed Keysborough, who are coming off the bye.
After a commendable performance in Round Six, Devon Meadows has slipped badly in the past two weeks, losing by a combined 213 points.
While the Panthers have been down on personnel, owing to a growing list of injured players, coach Rod Keogh demands an effort from his players, which he hasn’t received consistently.
Keysborough has had an extra week to prepare for the game.
“We can’t wait for it,” Burra coach Brad Canavan said.
“We’re going to have a good week to freshen up mentally and really attack (Devon Meadows). If we can’t get ourselves up for that one, then we’re kidding ourselves really.”
Keysborough will rely on Tyson King and Michael Downie through the midfield and David Prib to supply run off half-back, while Devon Meadows will be led by Daniel Verlardo, Brandon Wapshott and Michael Bain to get the Panthers over the line.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Tooradin-Dalmore v Narre Warren
BRENDAN Fevola headlines the Seagulls-Magpies clash at Tooradin Recreation Reserve.
As the Casey Scorpions take the bye this weekend, Fevola will line up for Narre Warren in a game it needs to win.
The Magpies’ loss to Hampton Park last weekend tumbled them from third to sixth place.
“I’m not sure what our record down there is like, but there’s been some close games,” Narre Warren coach Chris Toner said.
“We just have to make sure we get over the line there.”
Nick Scanlon and Lee Boyle returned for the Magpies last week and with no further concerns, Narre Warren should take a strong team down the road.
“It’s the first week we’ve come out unscathed,” Toner said.
“We had a report in Matt Olney, but I don’t think there was much in that. I’d like to think he’ll get off that (charge).”
While Tooradin-Dalmore fell to Berwick, the Seagulls usually form a more competitive unit at home.
With Matthew Davey and Rory Gilliatte forming a strong forward combination, Beau Miller and Ryan White winning the ball in the midfield and Adam Splatt playing well in defence, Tooradin-Dalmore will be hoping to play competitive football.
The Seagulls might regain captain Michael Hobbs and ruckman Ryan Kitchin.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Beaconsfield v Pakenham
PAKENHAM can solidify its place in the top five with a victory at Perc Allison Oval.
The Lions have won their last two matches and is running into strong form.
Coach Michael Holland is still searching for the right mix and with several talented players in the reserves, the Lions will field a good team.
After a solid start to the year, Beaconsfield has lost its past three games against premiership contenders.
The Eagles still have finals on their minds, but they need to start winning games. They might be boosted by the return of gun forward Daniel Calteri and the return of hard-nut Matthew Stocco.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Roc v Berwick
ROC hosts Berwick at the Officer Recreation Reserve.
While the Kangaroos have lost more games than they have won, they are winning plenty of admirers around the league with their plucky play.
Berwick has the potential to contend for this year’s premiership, but they need more consistency.
Both teams play a fine running game, so interest will centre on who wins that aspect of the game.
“They’ve got Greg Tivendale back, which obviously makes them a lot stronger,” Berwick coach Dean Rice said. “It’s going to be a hard battle on their ground. It’s normally pretty wet and they’re competitive.”
The Wickers will regain influential ruckman Steve Finlayson.
“He’s had a shoulder injury. He could have played (against TD) but we didn’t want to risk him. We rested him and he’ll be right for this week.”
Forward Andrew Morozoff is a chance to return.
round 9 TIPS:
Beaconsfield v Pakenham
Devon Meadows v Keysborough
Hampton Park v Cranbourne Tooradin-Dalmore v
Narre Warren
ROC v Berwick
