By Mark Gullick
AFTER the disappointment inflicted by Devon Meadows, Keysborough will need to rebound quickly against Beaconsfield.
Last year, Keysborough defeated the rampant Eagles by one point in an early season classic at Rowley Allen Reserve.
Keysborough coach Brad Canavan believes if his team reproduces the quality it displayed for the majority of the game against Devon Meadows, it can give Beaconsfield a real shake. “We go into every game trying to be competitive and sneak a win,” Canavan said.
“We haven’t given up on winning some games. Last year, we beat them when they were flying. We’ve got a good record against Beacy at home, so we’re looking forward to the game.”
After a promising start to the season, Beaconsfield hasn’t won a game since Round five.
This shapes as an interesting battle between two teams that are rebuilding with the winner taking confidence from the result.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:PAKENHAM v HAMPTON PARK
HAMPTON Park faces another stiff challenge with an away fixture against Pakenham.
The Redbacks were irresistible against Cranbourne before fading after quarter-time. After defeating Berwick and Narre Warren, and being competitive with Cranbourne, Hampton Park has proven a quality outfit.
Pakenham coach Michael Holland said it was a big test for his team. “They’ve got some real potent forwards that we’re going to have to try and stop,” he said. “It will be important to get on top through the middle of the ground and stop their supply, and put a bit of pressure on. We know we have to play to another level than what we did (against Beaconsfield).”
One point of interest will be the venue; Toomuc Reserve is a significantly bigger oval than Hampton Park’s oval, so the midfield run and spread will be crucial in determining the winner.
Hampton Park may regain the services of several quality players including ruckman Steve Watson, playmakers Linden Fredericks and Brett Armitage, and key bigman Matthew Shorey.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:CRANBOURNE v TOORADIN-DALMORE
GOING on current form, Cranbourne should have few issues against southern neighbours Tooradin-Dalmore.
For successive home matches, Cranbourne will be at Casey Fields Oval No. 2.
The Eagles have averaged 140 points scored in its five matches against teams out of the five, which would be concerning for the Seagulls.
The teams are coming off contrasting recent form; Cranbourne accounted for second-place Hampton Park by four goals, while Tooradin-Dalmore suffered a heavy defeat by sixth-ranked Narre Warren.
“It’s always a bit of a grudge match,” Cranbourne coach Doug Koop said.
“They’re just down the road from us and they’ve got a bit of a connection with Cranny with a few players down there at the moment. They’ve improved over the last couple of years. They’re becoming more competitive, probably similar to Hampton Park in that they probably just need that extra bit of experienced players and they can be right up there.”
Seagulls captain Michael Hobbs is a chance to return after an ankle injury.
“He’s one of those inside/outside midfielders who can run and carry the ball, which we’re lacking,” Tooradin-Dalmore coach Beau Miller said. “We’ve got stoppage players, but we need that burst of speed and Hobbsy’s one of those players.”
Miller knows it’s a massive task for his charges to get the points, but he still wants a consistent effort. “It’s a free swing for us,” he said. “They’re one of the benchmark teams in the competition.”
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:NARRE WARREN v ROC
THE reigning premiers find themselves in the unfamiliar position of being out of the five halfway through the season.
Narre Warren clinically disposed of Tooradin-Dalmore last weekend, and will be hoping that recaptured spark spills over to the home match against ROC.
Magpies coach Chris Toner isn’t taking anything for granted, especially since ROC defeated his team the last time they clashed in the final round of the 2010 home and away season. “They’ve got the Tivendale brothers and they’re very good players,” he said.
“It’s a game we have to win, we’ve got to get back into the five. It’s very even, you’ve just got to keep winning games.”
ROC has provided staunch resistance in most games, and with a place in the finals still a possibility, the Kangaroos will be aiming to pull off an upset.
“They are the reigning premiers and they’ve got a lot of talent,” ROC coach Greg Tivendale said. “Once again, it’s going to be a tough ask. All I can ask the boys is to bring their best effort. They’re a side that we have performed well against in the past. It would be nice to come out and play that well again.”
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:BERWICK v DOVETON
THE next month will make or break the season of surprise-packed Doveton.
With several teams breathing down their neck, the Doves face Berwick, Narre Warren, Cranbourne and Pakenham – all realistic premiership contenders.
“We’ve got Berwick and then Narre, which rounds out the first round,” Doveton coach Mark Ladgrove said.
“We’re hoping to give a good account of ourselves in both games.”
The rested Doveton is coming off the bye for the clash at Edwin Flack Reserve.
Over the first half of the season, Berwick has shown they are a quality, albeit inconsistent, outfit.
There will be several key match-ups across the field.
Doveton will rely on ruckman Clint Wilson, midfielders Aaron Henwood, John Atwell, Ryan Pearson and Michael Henry, along with forwards Ryan Hendy and Peter Pullen to figure prominently if it wants a win.
Nathan Waite and Andrew Morozoff form a strong forward combination, while captain Jason Kelly, Yilber Zijai, ruckman Steve Finlayson and midfielders Brett Robinson, Andrew Tuck and Nathan Page will lead Berwick.
ROUND 10 TIPS:
KEYSBOROUGH v
Beaconsfield
Pakenham v
Hampton Park
CRANBOURNE v Tooradin-Dalmore
NARRE WARREN v ROC
BERWICK v Doveton
BYE – Devon Meadows
