SEFNL Round 4 Preview
Doveton v Beaconsfield
Form - Doveton WWWL Beaconsfield LWL
Last Time - Elimination Final Beaconsfield 12.13.85 def Doveton 9.6.60
Last year’s Elimination finalists face - off in a crucial early season contest. Doveton come into the match after suffering their first loss for the season. While Beacy have lost 2 of their 3 opening matches and have them relinquishing in 8th on the ladder. Doveton have shown this season they have made improvements to their list and game style which should see them play consistent football through the season, while Beacy's depth is already being tested. The Eagles have shown glimpses of brilliant football, it happens in the first quarter and their opposition can back into the game. Doveton has introduced zone defences and quick ball movement putting pressure on the opposition with a high intensity game plan. This match-up always brings its own intrigue as the league’s premier ruckman Rus Gabriel and Scot Meyer go to battle and the player who gets on top could determine the result. Doveton were slow out of the box against Berwick last week they will be looking to hit the scoreboard early at home. If the Doves can keep to their structures for the full 120 minutes they should restrict the Eagles scoring opportunities and get the important 4 points.
Key Match-Ups
Rus Gabriel (Doveton) v Scot Meyer (Beaconsfield) - This contest between the premier ruckman in the competition is worth the price of the admission ticket alone. Gabriel a 2 x League Best and Fairest winner up against the 2014 League Best and Fairest is mouthwatering. They play the ruckman role differently; Gabriel will use his size to his advantage often eclipsing his opponent both in the air and around the ground. Meyer plays like a midfielder; he is deceptively quick for a big man and puts himself in the right position for Beaconsfield to play through him. Gabriel will relish the opportunity to be tested against the league’s best, knowing if he can win his battle he will help his side towards victory. Meyer will know what to expect from his counterpart this weekend and will be looking at ways to exploit Gabriel. Meyer will attempt to expose Gabriel around the ground, using his aerobic capacity to his advantage and ensure he gets to every contest.
Aaron Davey (Doveton) v Damien Swaja (Beaconsfield) - High Profile recruit Davey has been a fine addition to the Doves midfield. Davey hasn't lost any of his spark and is one of the best ball users in the competition. Davey can play in the midfield or drift forward making him a dangerous commodity. Swaja is more of your warhorse type, who works hard both ways or in a lockdown role if required. Coach Clint Evans will have to rely on his hard nose midfielder to keep a close check on Davey. Swaja's disposal can let him down at times but looking at the depth in Doveton's midfield you can expect him to fulfill a run-with role.
Shannon Henwood (Doveton) v Jayden Gee (Beaconsfield) - These 2 big bodied midfielders will likely face-off in a do-or-die contest. Henwood stepped down as coach last season so he could focus more on his footy. Henwood is an ever-reliable main stay of the Doveton midfield for the past few seasons, his big body used to add physicality to the contest. Henwood has gone forward at times this season and contributing much needed goals, this making him the perfect opponent for Jayden Gee. Gee has had a massive preseason, with an improved engine Gee has spent more time in the midfield. Gee is a tall big bodied player who enjoys the bash and crash approach to the contest. Gee had spent time as a defender before moving into the middle allowing Gee to match it with Henwood both in the air and the ground. If Gee is too line-up on Henwood you can expect these to Bulls to clash head-on.
Prediction - Doveton by 45 points
Narre Warren v Tooradin-Dalmore
Form Narre - LW Tooradin - LWL
Last Time - Round 14 Tooradin 3.10.28 lost Narre Warren 23.17.155
Tooradin last recorded a victory at Kalora Park was when now coach Lachie Gillespie was still dominating in the midfield (Round 16, 2005). Narre defeated Tooradin by 117 points last time but both teams enter this match with different looking line-ups. Things weren't looking good for Narre last week; they were trailing by 5 goals before kicking 14 of the last 16 goals to build their confidence on the back of a scintillating second half. Tooradin have bolstered their brigade and many expected to see a more competitive performance. The Gulls were gallant Round One and easily accounted for Hampton Park before failing the acid test against Cranbourne on ANZAC Day. Narre may have been written off too early and their recruits have come in and had an impact. Narre have always found potency in their attack and Darren Sheen looks to be another sharpshooter kicking 11 goals in 2 games. Tooradin will need to pick up the pieces quickly and rely on their leaders for a more determined contest. Narre should be able to build on last week and be strong at home.
Dean Kelly (Narre) v Andrew Proctor (Tooradin) - Kelly has made an impressive debut, working well as a small forward target. Kelly is dangerous and has been threatening to tear a game apart and will need to be watched closely by the Tooradin’s defence. You can expect the talented Proctor to start on Kelly. Proctor has been trusted to lock down on some of the best forwards in the competition. Proctor reads the play well and is strong in the air, but he will need to be at his best to stop Kelly. If Kelly gets away and contributes early goals it might be enough for Magpies to get a win.
Darren Sheen (Narre) v Michael Wallace (Tooradin) - Sheen has shown in his 2 matches that he will be regarded as one of the best forwards in the competition. Averaging more than 5 goals a game, the big man is mobile and doesn't waste too many opportunities in front of goal. Wallace has been one of the young key defenders to keep an eye on. Wallace has been given some big tasks in his career which has helped to speed up his development as a key backman. Wallace will have to back-up after doing his best to restrict Marc Holt last week. For Tooradin to win he has to play well for 4 quarters.
Ben King (Narre) v Andrew Dean (Tooradin) - King has taken his game to new levels and it will be interesting to see how Coach Heath Black uses him in defence this week. King has great versatility and can be swung between numerous roles. Dean has been another key forward to join the competition. Not your bulking full forward type, Dean had shown amazing prowess as leading forward or at ground level. Dean has kicked goals in every match this season and with better ball movement from the Seagulls could see Dean becoming a weapon inside forward 50. King looks the best match-up for Dean and this battle could go a long way to providing the outcome.
Prediction - Narre by 35 points
Hampton Park v Berwick
Form - HP LLL Berwick WW
Last Time - Round 11 Berwick 21.17.143 def Hampton Park 4.6.30
Last year’s premiers face the team who has been the anchor of the ladder for the past 4 seasons. Berwick defeated Hampton Park by a combined total of 272 points in last year’s matches as they surged towards their first premiership in 16 years. It's hard to give the home side any chance against Berwick who appear to have improved on last year’s remarkable performance. Hampton Park showed some fight on Good Friday but appears to have slipped back into old habits. The Redbacks were hammered at home against Cranbourne and it appears the result will be similar. Berwick will be striving for a top-2 finish and will be looking to ensure they don't miss out on the chance to build on their healthy percentage. The football community will be hoping to see Hampton Park compete and put up a fight in front of their home supporters. It's hard to tip an unlikely upset at Robert Booth with Berwick to continue flexing their muscle against their opposition.
Key Match-Ups
Luke Nunan (Hampton Park) v Ben Kearns (Berwick) - Nunan has again been one of Hampton Park's best players this season. Nunan shows outstanding leadership and determination in every contest. Coach Matt Shorey will once again give his leading defender a tough ask trying to nullify one of Berwick's most dangerous attacking options. Since arriving in the competition last season, Kearns has quickly established himself as one of the most damaging forwards in the competition. Kearns brings himself into the game at crucial times for Berwick, often contributing goals when the game is up for grabs. What makes Kearns standout from the rest is his aerobic capacity to work up the ground and lose his defender on the journey back to goal. Kearns can be electric and set the game alight when given free reign around the ground.
Nathan Allan (Hampton Park) v Michael Harold (Berwick) -Allan has often been regarded as one of Hampton Park's best players, turning down lucrative offers to stay loyal to the Redbacks. This hasn't affected his stature in the game regarded as one of the best midfielders in the competition, often left with the task of trying to drag his club along with him. Harold on the other hand has developed into one of the leaders on and off the field for last year’s premiers. Harold can play both an attacking midfielder or can be signed a task to negate an opposition player. You can expect these two to meet underneath the first pack and will be there again at the end. If Allan gets free and starts to break open the game, expect Berwick Coach Rhys Nisbet to move Harold on to him to stop Allan in his tracks.
Nathan Langley (Hampton Park) v Joe West (Berwick) - Langley has been brought into provide the Redbacks a tall marking option up forward. Langley kicked his first goals for the season in a loss to Tooradin, Hampton Park hope to see this form continue as the season rolls on. Langley has shown he can play deep forward or move up to the half-forward as a link-up option for the ball to move from the defence. With Jayden Joyce missing this week, expect West to fulfill the key defensive post and looks the likely option for Langley. You have to love how West goes about it, a no fuss defender West lends his hand to assist his defenders when playing as a floating third tall. West reads the play beautifully often coming through with the late punch to spoil the contest. Langley could have a tough day out against one of the more underrated defenders in the competition.
Prediction - Berwick by 75 points
Cranbourne v Officer - (Saturday Night)
Last Time - Round 14 Officer 4.6.30 lost to Cranbourne 16.15.111
Form - Cranbourne - WWW v Officer - LLW
Saturday Night footy returns to Casey Fields, with Cranbourne taking on Officer in what shapes as an interesting contest. Cranbourne have been faultless with 3 impressive wins to kick off their campaign. Officer will be buoyed after causing the first upset of the season, defeating Pakenham at home to record their first win of the season. Can the Kangaroos carry that momentum into this match? Last year they pushed the Eagles to within a kick after leading for most of the match – Don’t forget they defeated the Eagles in 2014.. Cranbourne Coach Simon Goosey will be trusting his players to overcome any signs of complacency and continue to work on their game plan and put in a 4 quarter performance. Officer's Matt Clarke booted 6 goals last week and will need to ensure he brings his kicking boots if they are to kick a competitive score. Cranbourne to continue their surge towards redemption at season’s end and be too strong against Officer.
Key Match-Ups
Brandon Osborne (Cranbourne) v Matt Clarke (Officer) - Osborne looks likely to have the tough task of trying to stop the enigmatic Clarke. Osborne has developed into one of if not the best full-backs in the competition. Osborne has great speed and agility making him a weapon in Cranbourne's defence. Osborne has matched-up against Clarke in the past, but Clarke is coming off a match winning 6 goal performance. Osborne will need to be at his best to restrict Officer's best avenue to goal
Max Gearon (Cranbourne) v Blair Allan (Officer) - Having recently played his 100th game for Cranbourne, Gearon has become an experienced midfield warrior. Gearon has been a work in progress, facing some setbacks in his journey but the player we see today is a well rounded midfielder. Gearon is a clearance specialist who has a penetrating right boot and likes to get forward and kick goals. Allan is a barometer for the Kangas. Allan plays as high forward but can be switched into the middle when required. Allan isn't the most talented footballer amongst the young Officer side but you get inspired how he goes about it. Allan's second and third efforts make him a standout contributor for his side. Don't expect these 2, to match-up on each other all day but when they clash in the middle it will be like hungry dogs fighting over a bone for the loose footy.
Troy Tharle (Cranbourne) v Sean Roach (Officer) - There are so many important match-ups around the ground that will determine the outcome of this match on Saturday Night. Tharle will play at centre half-forward and roam into the ruck when required to provide a chop-out to Mitch Lindsay. Tharle is a powerful overheard mark and plays his best footy as a hit up option through the middle of the ground. Officer Coach Brad Jones has been prepared to play Roach is a variety of roles which are dictated by the contest on the day. Roach will go to centre-halfback and start next to Tharle, it will be interesting to see if Jones allows Tharle to roam and Roach fill the space in front of Holt or these big men go at it in the air all day. Roach can by physical at the contest but he will need to bring all his smarts up against the best in the competition.
Prediction - Cranbourne by 56 points
Last Modified on 06/05/2016 11:51