SEFNL Round 6 Preview
FOOTBALL
Beaconsfield (5th 2-2) v Pakenham (6th 1-3)
Last Time: Round 15 Beaconsfield 14.14.98 def Pakenham 7.7.49
Leading Goalkicker - Beaconsfield - Beau Dowler (16) - Pakenham - Ben Fraser & Luke Walker (8)
Beacy are back at Holm Park and should be refreshed after the bye. Pakenham's season has hit the skids with the Lions facing their fourth consecutive loss. Pakenham are inconsistent in their matches putting themselves in winning positions but keep finding ways too loose. Beaconsfield returned back to winners list with the aid of returning experienced players. Beau Dowler continues to provide the spark up forward, his big body and agility at ground level makes him a hard match-up. Things aren't going right in a lot of areas for Pakenham. The Lions have been without talented youngsters for disciplinary reasons on top of injuries to seasoned players the Lions have become inconsistent. Cory Lenders and Beau Wheeler continue to work hard with Luke Walker using his deadly left foot the talent is still there. Both teams have experienced midfields and evenly matched at every position. It will be interesting to see which team can get the early edge. It's going to be a tight and physical contest all day which teams’ leaders can carry their charges for the longest will get the win.
Key Match-Ups
Kieren Roberts (Beaconsfield) v Jake Smith (Pakenham) - Roberts is enjoying a great start to the season. His height matched with midfielder like pace makes him an important player to the Eagles line-up. He looks suited to a lockdown role against dangerous small forward Jake Smith. Smith can be a hard player to stop when his confidence is up, creating opportunities for himself inside forward 50. Roberts will have his work cut-out for him against Smith but Roberts has shown great poise in the contest and will be to match Smith in the air and at ground level. Smith owes his teammates a bag this week if he can Pakenham could return to the winners list.
Jake Bowd (Beaconsfield) v Luke Walker (Pakenham) - Bowd is one of the impressive young Eagles, having been in the best players the last 3 weeks. Bowd has grown in confidence now he has found his position on the halfback flank, he may have the task of stopping Walker when he goes forward. Walker's return to the Lions has added a touch of class to the midfield. His silky skills combined with football experience makes him someone to watch as he knows how to have an impact. Walker is averaging 2 goals a game with a bag of 4 last week he will need some attention when resting forward. Bowd may not have the motor to go with Walker all day but he is tenacious at the footy and will make it a tough day for Walker.
Beau Dowler (Beaconsfield) v Stephen Morey (Pakenham) - This is a tough one with Dowler now delivering for Beaconsfield. It's tough because he is a difficult match-up, he is quick on the lead or strong one on one. Morey, Nathan Brown or even Dan Fry could be used on the last line to man Dowler. Will Coach Steve O'Bryan will 2 defenders to test Dowler? Dowler is hitting the scoreboard with ease, currently averaging 4 goals a game Dowler has been setting up wins off his own boot. He has hit the scoreboard early so whoever stands him first will need to be on their game. Morey looks best suited to start and see if the Pakenham midfielders up the ground make it difficult to enter Beacy's 50 restricting Dowler's opportunities.
Prediction - Beaconsfield by 11 points.
Hampton Park (9th 0-5) v Officer (7th 2-3)
Last Time: Round 15 Officer 8.8.56 lost to Hampton Park 13.9.87
Leading Goalkicker - Hampton Park - Luke O'Brien (7) - Officer - Matty Clarke (11)
Hampton Park are back at home after another heavy defeat last week. Back to Back 100 point losses has the Redbacks seething, they are going without scoring for long periods of the match while the opposition expose their fragile defence. Where too from here for Hampton Park?? Last year they were able to compete for longer against sides lower on the ladder and they will need to do it today. Hampton Park came out and responded last year after a hiding including a win against Officer in Round 15 last year. Over the past decade Hampton Park have more wins than losses against Officer. The Redbacks do have consistent performers like Cory Phillips, Jackson Philpin and new recruit Jordan Derbyshire has had an impact. Officer has come into the match full of confidence winning 2 of their past 3 matches. The Kanagroos had 10 individual goal kickers last week an area where they have struggled in the past. Officer need to be wary of complacency and need to come out and attack the footy for 4 quarters. Officer have been strong in the second half of matches and will run out the game out.
Key Match-Ups
Luke O'Brien (Hampton Park) v James Sloothaak (Officer) - O'Brien has been a shining light for The Redbacks. O'Brien has worked hard to provide a target up forward booting 7 goals for the season. Sloothaak has been handed some big tasks from Coach Brad Jones this year, which had seen him grow in confidence. Sloothaak might be a little undersized for a key position role but battles manfully week in and week out. He looks the perfect opponent to blanket O'Brien, O'Brien may not get much of a look.
Will Thomas (Hampton Park) v Dylan Chapman (Officer) - Thomas and Chapman have similar traits and rucking styles. They are big boys who will crash into each other all day, but who can generate first use of the footy will have a big impact on the outcome. Thomas and Chapman both like to get forward and be a marking target. They will be pushing each other all day in a tough contest.
Nathan Dawes (Hampton Park) v Blair Allan (Officer) - Dawes is a Hampton Park stalwart with over 250 games Dawes continues to lead the club into battle. Dawes has been used in a variety roles but looks best suited to stop his opponents’ better players. Allan is one of those, not the flashiest Kanga, Allan just gets in there and does the teams things to push the footy forward. Allan is averaging a goal game and has been in the best players 3 times. Dawes will have to look to restrict Allan's input, Dawes is quick and reads the play well. Dawes is a courageous player and will put everything into stopping Allan.
Prediction - Officer by 48 points.
Tooradin (7th 1-4) v Berwick (1st 4-0)
Last Time: Round 12 Tooradin 7.16.58 lost to Berwick 13.14.92
Leading Goalkicker - Tooradin - Andrew Dean (11) - Berwick - Ben Kearns (16)
Tooradin have had a disappointing start to the season, their past 2 weeks have produced tired performances. They have kicked 1.9 conceding 14.8 and any chance of a win in the second halves. Last week’s loss to Officer should hurt and they should look to atone against last year’s premiers. It's hard to think the Seagulls will be more than a stepping stone for the Wickers. Tooradin have been frustratingly inconsistent in their matches. They have shown brief passages of brilliant ball movement then will turn it over creating a goal at the other end. It's been reported the new players need to gel, while the coaching staff assess their best positions. Sounds like work in progress at Westernport Oval. Nearing full strength Berwick are getting better every week defeating Cranbourne by 31 points last week. The Wickers are playing at a new level and the juggernaut is going to be hard to stop. Their midfield are relentless and continue to press and work over their opponents. The past month has been a difficult one for Tooradin but it's hard to imagine this weekend being any easier.
Key Match-Ups
Michael Hobbs (Tooradin) v Madi Andrews (Berwick) - With Beau Miller and Matthew Wade gone, Hobbs is now one of the better users of the footy for Tooradin. Hobbs is a quality player and a real leader amongst men. The Seagulls will need to supply Hobbs with plenty of the footy if they were to get an upset. Andrews returned to best form when challenged by Cranbourne. The inspirational leader was dominating around the stoppages but also chopping them up when in space. Hobbs and Andrews will scrap it out under the packs but will play off each other to setup plays going forward.
Andrew Dean (Tooradin) v Michael Johnson (Berwick) - Dean is a quick mid-sized forward who can get up the ground and provide a target on the wings. Dean looks good on the lead, he just needs better supply to be more dangerous. Johnson is one of the tall defenders for Berwick. Johnson reads the play well, usually leave his opponent to be third man up into the contest. Johnson shows great finesse and gets around the ground easily, he looks like he has the wheels to compete with Dean. Dean is yet to face the best defence in the competition and will find it hard to find any space.
Nick Lang (Tooradin) v Luke Sheppard (Berwick) - Lang plays like a tall wingman, he has good penetration and can take a good mark. Sheppard has developed into a courageous running defender. Sheppard will be given the run with role on Lang, Sheppard will have to do his best to stop one of Tooradin's better users of the football. When Tooradin have looked good this season is when Lang has had the football in his hands. Sheppard will look to expose his opponent when Berwick go the other way he loves getting forward and kicking goals.
Prediction - Berwick by 73 points
Cranbourne (3rd 4-1) v Narre Warren (2nd 3-1)
Last Time: Round 11 Narre Warren 6.9.45 lost to Cranbourne 9.6.60
Leading Goalkicker - Cranbourne - Marc Holt (22) - Narre Warren - Darren Sheen (20)
The Annual Pink Game is held at Casey Fields between traditional foes Cranbourne and Narre Warren. You can expect fireworks in this encounter, Cranbourne were disappointing last week and will need to get themselves ready for this big match. Narre are enjoying a 3 game win streak, their only loss was by one point against Doveton. Cranbourne could be without a few stars due to injuries but they have experienced players waiting in the wings to return. Matt Rus and Michael Boland have been regaining their fitness in the reserves. Narre Coach Heath Black has been a breath of fresh air to rejuvenate the perennial finalists. Darren Sheen continues to hit the scoreboard, Sheen has kicked 20 goals only 2 behind Marc Holt. It will be a face-off between some of the best midfielders in the competition, packed full of grunt we can expect a scrap for 120 minutes. How Cranbourne respond after last week will be interesting, Narre have been looking forward to this contest all season and will be ready to go. It's always a special occasion and you can expect more history to be written between both sides.
Key Match-Ups
Brandon Osborne (Cranbourne) v Darren Sheen (Narre Warren) - Osborne looked flat last week and didn't provide that spark The Eagles often rely on. Osborne can play both tall and small aided with terrific agility, Osborne is one of the best one-on-one defenders in the league. Sheen had really warmed up in recent weeks, Sheen is mobile for a big man and can get himself into the game if it goes quiet. Sheen gets involved and Osborne will need the support of his back six to try and eliminate Sheen's influence on the game.
Luke Bee-Hugo (Cranbourne) v Jace Kelly (Narre Warren) - Bee-Hugo was quiet last week as he didn't provide the run we have come accustomed too. Bee-Hugo is a great link player and can get forward into space to hit the scoreboard. Kelly is one of the better recruits this season. Kelly has been released into a new role under coach Heath Black and he is relishing the opportunity. Kelly has been one of the better performers this season and will look to stop Bee-Hugo. When Bee-Hugo kicks goals Cranbourne win, if that avenue is stopped then it will put more pressure on Holt.
Zak Roscoe (Cranbourne) v Jake Wheeler (Narre Warren) - Roscoe started the season in a blaze of glory, his form has carried him to 11 goals for the season. Roscoe has moved up to the flank to keep himself in the game for longer. Wheeler is a quality defender and shows plenty of dash coming out of defence. Young players full of confidence provides the game with a touch of flair and Wheeler is full of fit. It should be a great contest between the leagues better young players.
Prediction - Narre to win by 5 points
NETBALL
We start this week by sending our congratulations to Narre Netball Club President Rebekah Bogos and husband Kris on the safe arrival of son Archer on Thursday 5th of May on behalf of the SEFNL Netball community. We hope that you are all doing well and adjusting to your first week of motherhood.
Round 5’s weather felt more like we had been taken into the future to the finals series, enjoying a balmy 25 degrees. It was brilliant to see the myriad of pink around the courts as clubs celebrated Mother’s Day and raised awareness and money for Breast Cancer. Narre Warren, ROC, Pakenham and Cranbourne were the A Grade winners of the round, leaving Narre out in front, the teams in third to sixth place all on the same ladder points, with Berwick still holding the wooden spoon.
The focus match for the Round was Berwick versus Cranbourne. During the first quarter Cranbourne struggled with goaling accuracy leaving Berwick up by 2. The teams remained very even into the second with Berwick remaining up by a goal at half time. The third quarter saw Berwick starting to miss goals and struggle with letting go of their passes whilst Cranbourne capitalised on every turn over allowing them to lead by 5 at three quarter time. During the final period, the turn overs for both teams continued with Cranbourne being able to convert these. This blew out the final score, Cranbourne winning 43 to 33.
This week we see matches between the top and bottom teams, further extending the differences in ladder points with Narre playing Cranbourne and Tooradin-Dalmore playing Berwick. The other matches of the round will start to create more differentiation between those in the middle section of the ladder with Hampton Park taking on ROC and Beaconsfield playing Pakenham. We will continue to see pink with some clubs celebrating pink sports round during Round 6. All the best to everyone for a great round of netball this week.
We finish off this week wishing our Netball Interleague teams all the best of luck for next week as they travel to Mulwala. With senior coaches Jade and Greg Heinrich and 17 and under coach Donna Wilson we know that you are in good hands.
Last Modified on 13/05/2016 13:17