By KEVIN HILLIER - Division 1 Seniors
THIS week we reach the half-way mark of the season and what an amazing season it has already been.
Deer Park were pre-season favourites to wipe the floor with the rest of the competition, and win its fourth flag in a row in little more than a canter, according to many.
That is certainly not the case, as they have already lost two games which suddenly makes them human and vulnerable.
The Lions record over the past three years means they deserve to be favourites, but the contenders are coming, and they deserve to be respected and validated.
Top of the ladder Hoppers Crossing has the bye this week, and with a two game buffer head into the second half of the season in excellent form and in good shape.
The radio game this week on 88.9 WYN Fm should be a beauty between third and fourth on the ladder- Werribee Districts v Spotswood.
Neither side has been able to string more than two wins together.
They have both been inconsistent and have lost games they would have expected to win. That makes this game almost an eight pointer for both sides.
Spotswood won a tough one last week by just two points, while Werribee fell away in the last quarter against Hoppers.
I think the Woodsmen might be in the better form and that will get them the points.
Deer Park have some injury concerns to some of their most important players, and also the headache of structuring their forward line to get the best output.
Jase Perkins leads the Andrew Gibson medal chase and is a proven match winner.
If Brendan Fevola is available this week, does Perkins make way for the former AFL star, who has only kicked 16 for the year which includes his 10 in Round 2.
St. Albans have to win to keep its finals hopes alive so they will be desperate.
They will need more than desperation to get them home, and I am not sure they can go four quarters against the reigning premiers.
Albion have set themselves for a make or break month of games in June. They nearly had the perfect start last week, but came up two points shy.
They play their home ground very well and will need Bench, Finco, Kelm and Taylor to again lead from the front to get over Altona.
The Vikings won a slog against Sunshine last week, and while it wasn’t pretty it was effective.
I think the Cats can get up in this game.
Sunshine face Wyndhamvale in a danger game for the Kangaroos.
If the Kangaroos are to figure in the finals they have to dispose of Wyndhamvale. I question Sunshine’s ability to kick goals which they will have to do against the top sides.
If they underestimate the Falcons they will pay the price. Given they have more to play for, I expect the Kangaroos to win, but not by a great margin.
Last Modified on 06/06/2016 12:46