A Seagull in the centre of things. Tooradin’s Nicole Ostram looks where to throw the ball in the clash against Cranbourne. Picture: Donna Oates By Mark Gullick
CRANBOURNE travels to Officer with the aim of closing out the first round of fixtures undefeated.
The Eagles have ruthlessly dispatched lowly teams throughout the year and ROC will have to be mindful of this fact.
Cranbourne will use this match to sharpen its tactics and form, leading into a big month where it plays other premiership rivals, such as Doveton, Berwick, Narre Warren and Pakenham.
ROC’s fixture is filled with matches against teams with similiar win-loss records and it will use this match to gauge itself against a quality outfit.
ROC is improving each week under coach Greg Tivendale and the progression of its plethora of young talented players is providing hope for the future.
BEACONSFIELD V DEVON MEADOWS
SUDDENLY, Beaconsfield’s home match against Devon Meadows is a danger game for the Eagles.
After a bright start to the year, Beaconsfield has lost its last five games.
The club is pushing its youth policy, which should reap long-term benefits, but at the moment, there is understandable short-term pain.
Devon Meadows has a realistic chance of winning, if it can replicate the form it displayed against Keysborough in round nine.
Coming off the bye – and with several players potentially available – the Panthers will be keen for the contest at Perc Allison Oval.
HAMPTON PARK VKEYSBOROUGH
FOLLOWING two consecutive losses, Hampton Park has fallen from outright second to fifth and has seen its percentage plummet from 162 to 124.
The Redbacks badly need a win, but judging by the recent form of both teams, they won’t get an easy kill.
The reinvigorated Keysborough claimed its first win of the season last weekend and coach Brad Canavan is looking forward to the clash.
“We played really well out there last year,” he said.
“We shot ourselves in the foot by turning the ball over too many times in the last quarter and cost ourselves victory. They got a bit of a touch up against Pakenham and I’m sure they’ll be fired up.”
Without an under 18s and the reserves struggling, Keysborough’s injury list has cleared to the point where they are now acquiring depth.
“It’s extraordinary, we have blokes leaving the club, but we actually have three or four players putting pressure on some of the senior blokes,” he said.
“That’s what we’ve been desperate for – three or four blokes who are on notice in the seniors – and you’ve got to have that pressure to be a good side.”
DOVETON v NARRE WARREN
ROBINSON Oval will host the match of the round when Doveton meets Narre Warren.
The Doves were spirited against Berwick last week and showed that they must be placed alongside the top teams, despite falling out of the five following that loss.
Interest will centre on the composition of the Doveton team after that ragged encounter.
Michael Henry played his best game since returning from injury, while winger John Atwell, key forward Ryan Hendy and defender Brad Downe will play key roles in influencing the outcome of the match.
Narre Warren’s form is on an upward projectory with two hefty victories.
“We’re looking forward to going to Doveton, it’s a big wide ground which gives us a chance to run and use our speed,” Magpies coach Chris Toner said.
Doveton nearly toppled Berwick last week and will take a lot of belief into the game.
“It’s going to be another tight contest,” Doves coach Mark Ladgrove said.
TOORADIN-DALMORE V PAKENHAM
PAKENHAM is gunning for its fifth straight win when it travels south to face Tooradin-Dalmore at the Tooradin Recreation Reserve.
The Lions are building nicely and are coming off a massive win over Hampton Park.
“I don’t just say this lightly, they’re a side that can trouble a lot of sides, especially over there,” Pakenham coach Michael Holland said.
“I’ve looked at their results and they don’t have many wins on the board, but they’ve been thereabouts for two and a half, three quarters and maybe dropped away for one. That’s similiar to us, until (last Saturday), in that we’d play in patches. We’re going to have to go out there with the same mindset we had against Hampton Park. If we do that and play some good footy, then the results take care of themselves.”
The Seagulls are starting to regain their injured players and will be attempting to pinch some wins.
“We’re just starting to get our full list back,” coach Beau Miller said.
“I think it was the strongest outfit for the year. Hopefully, those (injured) guys can get some match fitness and have a better second half of the year.Pakenham beat Hampton Park quite convincingly. They’re another quality side with elite skill and leg speed, so we’ll have our work cut out. If the boys put in the effort, I think we can trouble them at home a little bit. Pakenham has got a big deck and they’re used to a bit of space, whereas our ground is a lot smaller than theirs.”
It’s a difficult assignment for the home side, who will do well to get within eight goals of the Lions.
ROUND11 TIPS:
Beaconsfield v Devon Meadows
Hampton Park v Keysborough
Tooradin-Dalmore v Pakenham
ROC v Cranbourne
Doveton v Narre Warren
