Round 9 Preview
Cranbourne v Beaconsfield
Last Time: Round 17 Beaconsfield 7.5.47 lost to Cranbourne 21.7.133
Leading Goalkickers – Cranbourne Marc Holt 35 – Beaconsfield Beau Dowler 27
Cranbourne and Beaconsfield meet with both teams 5 wins and 2 losses looking to continue to build momentum on a successful start to the season. Both teams have lost to only Berwick and Narre Warren this season, with 4 teams currently on 5 wins which makes this such a crucial contest. Beaconsfield are riding a 4 game winning streak although tested at times, Beacy continue to find ways to win. Beau Dowler is averaging close to 4 goals a game but will come up against a refreshed tough back six from Cranbourne. Beaconsfield's own defence have stood up this season, currently ranking 2nd for points against this season. Cranbourne's potency will provide Beaconsfield with another tough contest as the Eagles have outscored the visitors by close to 300 points, Cranbourne are the highest ranked side for scores for this season, Marc Holt and Zac Roscoe have combines for 52 goals this season. Holt and Daniel Battaglin is usually an enthralling contest against 2 battle hardened competitors. Scott Meyer got forward last week booting 3 goals, Meyer will make life difficult for Mitch Lindsay, Cranbourne will be hoping Michael Boland is fully fit to assist with tough task. Beacy have managed to prove their doubters wrong with an impressive month of footy, they will need to bring everything to be competitive against Cranbourne who regained their mojo against Doveton.
Gamebreakers
Cranbourne
Marc Holt – You could put Holty in this category every single week with 35 goals from 7 games; averaging 5 goals a game makes the burley full forward an easy selection. Holt continues to lead from the front and the way he attacks the game sets the tone for his soldiers every week. Holt showed again underlights at Doveton, when he is on so is Cranbourne. Holt is likely to face stiff opposition from the experienced Daniel Battaglin, which could shape the outcome of the match
Max Gearon – The bustling midfielder has grown into a leader for Cranbourne. Gearon is a ball magnet who often works hard under the feet of the ruckman, a real extractor of the football around clearances and ball moving forward for Cranbourne. Like Holt, Gearon is often the player to lift his teammates when required. Cranbourne found their love again for the game we love, Gearon was vocal and pushing his side to take the next step.
Beaconsfield
Scott Meyer – The leading ruckman in the SEFNL is once again stamping his authority on the competition. The gifted big man, plays like a midfielder grinding his opponents into the ground. Meyer will often get first use of the footy for Beacy and again put himself into the next contest. Meyer kicked 3 goals in his last match which shows his versatility. Mitch Lindsay will most likely meet Meyer in the middle on Saturday; Meyer will have the height advantage but should also expose Lindsay around the ground. If Meyer can get his hands on the footy, it will push Beaconsfield towards their fifth straight win.
Beau Dowler – Dowler is delivering on the potential he offered when he joined Beaconsfield last year. His experience and football nous around goals makes him a hard match-up for any opposition. Dowler dominates early and is a trusted shot on goal; his accuracy allows him to convert most of his opportunities inside forward 50. Brandon Osborne will by the likely early match-up, if Dowler can get a hold of his opponent and the footy you can expect Beaconsfield to grow in confidence with scoreboard pressure.
Monday’s Headline – ‘Cranbourne rules the nest!’
Prediction - Cranbourne by 43 points
Berwick v Pakenham
Last Time: Round 16 Berwick 13.13.91 def Pakenham 9.11.65
Leading Goalkickers – Berwick Ben Kearns 24 – Pakenham Ben Fraser 15
Berwick have had the perfect start to the season. 7 impressive wins with an average winning margin of 48 points and kicking more than 100 points a match. When faced against teams outside the top 5, they haven't played their best footy. Against Tooradin they won by only 4 goals, while Officer was in the match for most of the first half in wet conditions. Pakenham find themselves 3 games outside of a finals position. The Lions were looking too produce more on the field but have been disappointing to this stage of the season. If Pakenham are to be a contender it starts this weekend, they face the huge task of facing Berwick at Edwin Flack. The Lions have an even spread of experienced players which at the best could take it up to the Wickers. It's an interesting contest but can Pakenham pull off an upset? Against the top teams Pakenham get close but without landing a knockout blow. The Lions have lost to every team inside the top 5; it would be a major scalp to knock off last year’s premiers. Berwick play a game style that's unmatched by any in the competition. The Wickers forward line is multidimensional and when it looks like you have the momentum, Berwick wrestle it back. Stephen Morey has been in fine form for the Lions defence; he has claimed some large scalps and will most likely get Tim Gunn depending on match-ups. Berwick will have too much firepower at their disposal. The match brings together two of the best young small forwards with Luke Nelson and Jake Smith turning it on at both ends. Berwick to keep their perfect record intact with a 10 goal win at home.
Gamebreakers
Berwick
Andrew Morozoff - The unheralded Morozoff is a key cornerstone to Berwick’s success. Morozoff is a versatile big man, who can play forward or back and even in the ruck depending on Coach Rhys Nisbets needs. He is a warrior who puts his body on the line when required. Morozoff can add physicality to Berwick’s game and is often the player to get the job done when required.
Ben Kearns - Kearns has been quiet in recent weeks, which could mean he is ready for a huge match against Pakenham. Kearns is at his best when he roams and collects the football at will. 24 goals is a great return from the dangerous small forward but you could expect him to increase his tally this week.
Pakenham
Jake Smith – Jake Smith is building a reputation as a gutsy small forward who can move up the ground to get himself into the match when required. Smith at his best is electric and often finds himself in the right position at the right time. Smith has been in Pakenham’s best quite often during Season 2016 and if the Lions are to surge during the middle part of the season it will be on the back of young Smith.
Stephen Morey - Morey could be the best one on one defender in the SEFNL. This season has seen Morey claim some big scalps in a lockdown defensive role. Pakenham have a strong back six, but Morey is the important part of the defensive make up. Morey reads the play well and often gets himself into the right position early making it difficult for his opponent to win the footy. Morey may have the job to limit the output of Mitch Johnson, but could move onto Kearns, if Kearns is resting deep in the forwardline.
Monday’s Headline – ‘Wicks feeling great after 8 straight’
Prediction - Berwick by 60 points
Narre Warren v Officer
Last Time: Round 16 Narre 20.18.138 def Officer 9.4.58
Leading Goalkickers: Narre Warren – Darren Sheen 28 – Officer – Matt Clarke 16
Narre have started the season exceeding external expectations, but internally they know they have plenty of work to do. Narre have shown flashes of brilliance with first year coach Heath Black having introduced a group of top level recruits assisting with a new game style. Officer showed in their last match against Berwick if they work hard at the contest they can match it with the best. Although they went down by 8 goals to Berwick they can draw a lot of confidence from that performance. Narre ooze class with quality players in nearly every position, they can score quickly when given the space up forward. Darren Sheen is a power forward but if curtailed it could provide an opportunity for Dean and Jace Kelly to hit the scoreboard. Dean is due for a big game while Jace showed his versatility kicking 3 goals last weekend. Narre will have too many ball winners for Officer to handle. Officer will bring a strong effort from their 22 and will need to compete for 120 minutes to be a chance for an upset away from home.
Gamebreakers
Narre Warren
Josh Tonna – Tonna is a running machine, who gets himself to contest after contest working hard to move the ball forward to his teammates. When Tonna has plenty of the footy Narre generally win. Tonna is an experienced footballer even though still young and developing; his link up play is often crucial to how Narre play. The workhorse needs to be closely monitored to force Narre to change their game style.
Jarrod Dalton – Dalton has been a revelation this season and continues to find his feet at his new club. Dalton offers Heath Black a total new arsenal as witnessed last match when he went forward and kicked 3 early goals. Dalton would be in contention for team of the year if he continues to show impressive form as he has early in his Narre career. Dalton could be used in a variety of positions against Officer, giving opposition Coach Brad Jones a headache.
Officer
Blair Allan – You have to watch how Allan goes about it. The no fuss tough midfielder is a real barometer for the Roos. Allan will get plenty of the footy but he has to be wary of his disposal as turnovers can really hurt against a quality opposition like Narre. Allan often doesn’t get the respect he deserves from opposition players and he can hurt when he finds the football in space.
Matthew Clarke – Clarke once again is Officer’s leading goal kicker and main avenue to goal. Clarke is strong on the lead and can take a great overhead mark. Clarke will need to work hard both ways to provide defensive pressure on the running backs from Narre. If Clarke has a big match in front of goals he could kick the Kangaroos to victory once again.
Monday’s Headline – ‘Second Heaven, Narre too good for Roos’
Prediction - Narre by 23 points.
Bye - Tooradin, Doveton and Hampton Park
Last Modified on 17/06/2016 16:03