NYORA – Position 1st Last Year 8th (4 wins)
Players used 29 – The number of players to play all 9 games – 13
Leading goalkicker Ben Schultz (28)
The Saints are the talk of the competition this season. It has made every post a winner. Rosebud recruits Ben Schultz, Ryan Spooner and Rhys Bancroft have left their mark on many matches, Dylan Heylen has played a pivotal midfield role, Iain Osman (22 goals) has proved elusive across the forward line and coach Fia Too Too the rock that has held the defence together. The only question mark is whether the weight of expectations will catch up with it in the second half of the season.
LONGWARRY – Position 2nd Last Year 6th (8 wins)
Players used 27 – The number of players to play all 9 games – 14
Leading goalkicker Daniel Fry (31)
The Crows look the definite article. It has good balance and pace through the middle. Fry with 31 goals has been complemented by Braydon McHugh (25) and Corey Lenders (20). Pakenham recruit and ruck rover Russell Lehman has been a star, ruckman Nick Redley ever present, Danny Wells, Riley and Brody Rundell and Kane Oldham all key midfield drivers and the defence led by Aaron Serong, Ken Towt and Cole Cook offer plenty of rebound. Well placed for a top three finish and look like they still have room for improvement.
WARRAGUL INDUSTRIALS =Position 3rd Last Year Runners Up (14 wins)
Players used 32 – The number of players to play all 9 games – 9
Leading goalkicker Shane Brewster (26)
The Dusties have shown the most consistent form of all the teams. While it does not count for anything - on the quarter by quarter ladder it sits top having won 29 and two more than Nyora. Plucky rover Tyson Bale has been the lifeblood of the team and has received terrific support from regular suspects Shane Brewster, Tye Holland, Mick Ablett and Josh Peterson. Bunyip recruit Jack Blakey (19 goals) has been handy while it boasts a no frills but effective defence. Can make the grand final again but a doubt remains on whether it can win without a key forward target.
CATANI – Position 4th Last Year Premiers (15 wins)
Players used 28 – The number of players to play all 9 games – 10
Leading goalkicker Owen Fitzpatrick (39)
The Blues have mixed their form. 2018 League medallist Paul Pattinson was prominent before injury in round 6, Nick Visser and Dylan Williams also prime movers. Owen Fitzpatrick who notched his 1000 senior goal milestone in round 8 continues to trouble opposition full backs and young ruck Jackson Caddy and fellow newbies Trent Adams and Jason Cox have shown enough to suggest they have a bright future. On exposed form not quite, the side it was in 2017 but it would take a brave tipster to write it off in 2018.
ELLINBANK – Position 5th Last Year 4th (12 wins)
Players used 34 – The number of players to play all 9 games – 10
Leading goalkicker Shaun Phelan (18)
The Eagles started the season well with three wins in the opening month but injuries and ordinary form has seen the team lose three out of its last four outings. Coach Ben Wragg and Doveton ruck recruit Frank D’Agostino have been both shining lights, emerging youngster Mark Vassett useful at both ends, Shaun Phelan dangerous around the big sticks and Tom Robertson and Ash Wallace both consistent. The Bankers have been too pedestrian through the middle and will need to remedy this if it hopes to retain its to top five position.
POOWONG – Position 6th Last Year 10th (1 win)
Players used 27 – The number of players to play all 9 games – 9
Leading goalkicker Jack Hazendonk (14)
The Magpies have graduated from wooden spooners to a genuine finals prospect. On baller Jack Hazendonk is real goer, Chris Robinson a great pick up and same too defender Jayden Sullivan. Young gun Jai Newcombe is one to keep an eye on. With Ben Hancock, Chris Doria and Trevor Hooker Poowong have a forward line few defences can match if they can control the midfield during their games. In Tim Hancock it has one of the premier defenders in the league. Good enough to finish top three but due to its poor start more likely to battle for an elimination final berth.
NILMA DARNUM – Position 7th Last Year 7th (6 wins)
Players used 28 – The number of players to play all 9 games – 11
Leading goalkicker Mitchell Dance (21)
The Bombers started the season well with three wins in the opening month but things have turned turtle with five losses in a row. It has been desperately unlucky as it has lost three games by less than a kick. If the ladder was based on quarters it would be in fifth spot. It has mixed some brilliance in spells with some rather ordinary patches of football. St Marys Salesian recruit Mitchell Dance has provided a good target, the Campbells Ben, Tom and Nathan have seldom played a bad game and veteran recruit Chris Larosa busy in and around the midfield. Now two games in arrears of fifth spot it will need to produce a number of upsets in the second half o the season to get back in finals contention.
BULN BULN – Position 8th Last Year 5th (10 wins)
Players used 28 – The number of players to play all 9 games – 14
Leading goalkicker Hayden Baker (13)
Despite their lowly position the Lyrebirds have much cause for optimism. The younger brigade led by Tom Axford, Jake Pierrehumbert, Brandon Allen and Jake Baker have all made their presence felt and must surely have derived inspiration from the performances of coach Matt Gray and vice-captain Jimmy Taylor. Out of contention to make the top five but good enough to produce an upset and shape the five.
NEERIM SOUTH – Position 9th Last Year 3rd but 1st in Home & Away season
Players used 34 – The number of players to play all 9 games – 8
Leading goalkicker Aaron Fawcett (6)
Having lost three quarters of its preliminary final team from last year it was always going to struggle in 2018. Understandably the Cats are pinning its future on youth and has given a debut to 13 players this season. Under the circumstances it has done very well. Nathan Bayne and Jack Ward have played a starring role week by week. Will jostle with Lang Lang to avoid the wooden spoon.
LANG LANG – Position 10th Last Year 9th (3 wins)
Players used 34 – The number of players to play all 9 games – 3
Leading goalkicker Ben Barwick (9)
Put simply the Tigers are not overloaded with talent. With a lack of key forward targets, it has found it difficult to post a winning score and is yet to kick 10 goals in any of its nine games. Josh Brown has proved to be a hardnosed competitor and Troy McPherson has given a good account of himself while veterans Stuart Casey and Brad Michie continue to set the example for their far younger team mates. Its round 11 clash at Neerim will probably determine if it or the Cats finish this season cellar dwellers.
Last Modified on 19/06/2018 21:58
