By Josh Ward.
Chirnside Park
Pos: 5th (2-5, 82.69%)
For (Rank): 79.9 points per game, 5th
Against (Rank): 96.6 points against per game, 5th
Leading Goalkicker: Samuel King (16 in 7)
There were plenty of high expectations for Chirnside Park heading into the season. However the club from Kimberley Drive have failed to meet them so far.
Picking up only two wins against Croydon North MLOC and Nunawading, their five losses have come at the hands of the top four by an average margin of 57.8 points.
Dave Newlands’ men have been cruelled by injuries with many star players missing such as Scott Dywer, Ryan Mitchell, Jayden Battaglene & David McGee.
However, they’ve had many familiar and new faces step up to the fore.
EFNL legend Leigh Odermatt joined the Panthers in 2023, while Samuel King, Ben Slattery, Josh & Charlton Clavant have all had strong opening halves of 2023.
Sitting three wins out of the top four, it’s danger signs now for the Panthers who’ll look to find their 2022 season form that saw them play finals last year as well as regain those key players in the second half of the season to give them every chance to do so.
Croydon North MLOC
Pos: 7th (0-8, 40.06%)
For (Rank): 50.9 points per game, 7th
Against (Rank): 127 points against per game, 7th
Leading Goalkicker: Jake Crowe (14 in 6)
It’s been a struggling start to the season for Croydon North MLOC following signs of improvement in the previous two years.
Under former assistant coach Ben Oakes this season, the side has faced plenty of hardship due to unavailabilities, with the senior side already having 41 players play in at least one game this season.
And whilst they scored 50+ points in their opening three games, since then they’ve only managed to pass that mark once against Nunawading on their home deck.
The likes of Jake Crowe and Jake Guerin have provided plenty of presence through the midfield and up forward, while new recruit Will Robinson alongside Josh Bromiley, have been consistently in the best.
Whilst finals may be out of the picture, the KangaRams will look to be once again competitive in the second half of this year.
Forest Hill
Pos: 4th (5-3, 109.66%)
For (Rank): 83.8 points per game, 4th
Against (Rank): 76.4 points against per game, 4th
Leading Goalkicker: Mitch Hanegraaf (17 in 6)
Possibly the biggest surprise of the Division Four season has been the dramatic rise of Forest Hill who now sit three games clear in the top four.
After losing three of their opening four games, Justin Scicluna’s men have sprung back to life since the bye, winning their last three games, including a 44 point win at home to Kilsyth.
Their attack in particular has started to flourish.
Led by Mitch Hanegraaf, the side has averaged 113 points in their previous three wins and have found a strong spread of goal kickers in those wins.
Luke Stelling and new recruit Ned Bradley have been consistent performers whilst the returning Brad Wylde and Ben Rudd have supported Hanegraaf well up forward.
With the upward trajectory, the Zebras are in they’ll look to continue their form and push the likes of Kilsyth, Scoresby and Surrey Park.
Kilsyth
Pos: 2nd (6-1-1, 173.68%)
For (Rank): 103.1 points per game, 2nd
Against (Rank): 59.4 points against per game, 2nd
Leading Goalkicker: Ryan Goodinson (23 in 8)
They had high expectations heading into 2023 following a finals appearance last year plus some strong recruiting and so far Kilsyth have lived up to those expectations.
Outside of their one blemish last weekend Simon Caldwell’s troops have been near flawless to begin the season and have staked their claim in the premiership race.
Drawing with fellow contenders Surrey Park at home, they’ve defeated every other side outside of Surrey by an average margin of just under six goals.
Big name recruits Jayden Weichard, Ryan McNay and Brandon Droessler have all had terrific starts to life in the red and black along with familiar faces in Ryan Goodinson and Sean Currey up forward and through midfield.
With a young side at Pinks Reserve the only way is up and the Cougars will look to continue their charge towards a premiership.
Nunawading
Pos: 6th (2-6, 58.61%)
For (Rank): 68.5 points per game, 6th
Against (Rank): 116.9 points against per game, 6th
Leading Goalkicker: Konrad Bendrups (23 in 8)
Under a familiar yet returning face in Frank Salanitri Nunawading have continued to improve to begin the season.
Despite their only two wins coming against Croydon North MLOC they’ve been much more competitive in games than in previous years, with only one loss coming by over 100 points.
Much like Forest Hill their attack in particular has been strong in the last few weeks. Led by Konrad Bendrups they’ve managed to break the 100 point barrier twice, including against Surrey Park at home.
Noah Walker has provided support for Bendrups in attack while Joshua Molden plus recruits Peter Cassidy-Marsh and Jack Wensley have also been reliable performers.
While they’ve been competitive in most games the Lions will look to continue to improve and possibly even claim a big scalp in the back half of the season.
Scoresby
Pos: 3rd (5-3, 159.73%)
For (Rank): 102.6 points per game, 3rd
Against (Rank): 64.3 points against per game, 3rd
Leading Goalkicker: Ben Bronsgeest (25 in 8)
Dropping into Division 4 for the first time and under new coach Craig McKenzie, Scoresby have so far proven to many their intention of bouncing back up immediately.
However whilst they’ve comfortably defeated sides below them they’ve been unable to defeat the top two sides in the opening half of the season.
On both occasions against Surrey Park they came close but their one meeting with Kilsyth saw them comfortably defeated away from home.
Ben Bronsgeest has continued on his form from last year up forward and has been well supported by Dale Hehir and new recruit Declan McBean. Bailey Marshall and Cooper Frith have also been consistent.
With a finals appearance almost a certainty the Magpies one goal in their remaining games will be to defeat both Surrey Park and Kilsyth to gain confidence heading into finals.
Surrey Park
Pos: 1st (6-0-1, 197.54%)
For (Rank): 114.9 points per game, 1st
Against (Rank): 58.1 points against per game, 1st
Leading Goalkicker: Nick Kann (36 in 7)
It’s been a near unstoppable rise for Surrey Park since James Kenworthy took over midway through 2022 and it’s continued so far this season.
Whilst the depth has been tested with injuries to experienced players in patches throughout the opening half of 2023, Surrey’s youth has stepped up to the plate each and every week.
Nick Kann continues to improve and lead the way up forward alongside Renan Falahey and midfielder Tom Smith whilst debutants such as Sam Porter and Kobe Vitacca have also made an immediate impact at senior level.
The experience of Tadan Vitacca at the higher level has also been on show whilst Ryan Kennedy has been as reliable as ever through midfield.
With their start to the season the Panthers have once again proven their premiership credentials and look to be the side to beat in Division Four.