By Dylan Smith.
Boronia
Pos: 1st place
W-L: 8-1
Points: 32
Percentage: 189.98%
For (Rank): 95.2 points per game (Rank 2)
Against (Rank): 50.3 points per game (Rank 1)
Leading Goalkicker: Ben Robertson (28 Goals)
Summary
The season couldn’t be tracking much better for Boronia who enter the mid year period a game clear atop the division ladder with only one loss to their name.
A heartbreaking one point semi final loss ended their campaign in 2022 and the Hawks have implemented a hard running, more attacking game plan as they look to better last year’s run.
They recruited well in the off season and have put together a scary looking line-up that has gelled together nicely, highlighted by their division best defence and a healthy 95 points per game on offence. Their season has been defined by some close wins against quality opposition, showing their four quarter efforts and evenness at the top end this year.
Highlight
After trailing for three and a half qtrs, A come from behind win against one of the premiership fancies in Templestowe stands out as their best win of this season so far.
Lowlight
Far from a shameful result, the club’s Round Seven result, a 1 point home loss to Ringwood was their only negative result of the season with most pundits considering it the wakeup call they needed going into the break.
Players
The Hawks have run a lot of different players through the midfield and one of those is off season recruit, Josh Begley. His move from Frankston has been huge with the midfielder averaging 27 disposals and 1.5 goals per game while Ben Robertson up forward leads the goal kicking with 28 majors.
Final Say
An A grade season so far for Boronia and a solid back half of the year should see them wrap up a top two spot and play deep into finals.
Predicted finish – 1st
Waverly Blues
Pos: 2nd place
W-L: 8-2
Points: 32
Percentage: 154.72%
For (Rank): 103.2 ppg (1st)
Against (Rank): 66.7 ppg (5th)
Leading Goalkicker: Josh Williamson (34 Goals) Equal first
Summary
Huge wins against Mulgrave, Knox and Upper Ferntree Gully highlight the exhilarating offensive power of the Waverley Blues. Last year’s Division Three premiers have shown dare and plenty of outside run. Their season highlights show that their best can more than match it with the best in the higher division.
You can’t really knock what they’re doing from a home and away perspective, but the lower scoring contested football that’s played in finals may be hard for them to adapt to. Finding a better balance between defence and attack that can hold up come finals time.
Highlight
Several good wins against strong teams but their Round One win against third placed Templestowe stands out as their best.
Lowlight
Hard to focus on wins as negatives but conceding unnecessarily big scores against The Basin (13 goals) Mulgrave (13) goals and big scores to Upper Ferntree Gully and Knox.
Players
Chris Duck signed in the off season has been excellent so far. Josh Williamson has had another big season up forward so far with 34 goals, the equal most in the division at the end of Round Nine.
Final Say
Their defensive record is the only concern but at the end of the day in comparison to other contenders, but they’ve lost two games all year and generally get the job done. Ultimately, they’ll be judged on their performances come September.
Predicted finish – 3rd
Templestowe Dockers
Pos: 3rd place
W-L: 7-2
Points: 28
Percentage: 150.68%
For (Rank): 85.5 ppg (3rd)
Against (Rank): 56.7 ppg (3rd)
Leading Goalkicker – Dean Limbach 12 goals
Summary
Based on their profile, Templestowe’s position is a fair reflection of their season so far. A huge win, just before the break away to Heathmont, has set up the back half of their year nicely and shows they’re potent even against a tricky defensive unit.
The knock has been dealing with the expectations when coming up against the big boys, The win against Heathmont went a long way to disprove that, but the jury is still out and a win against Boronia or the Waverley Blues in the back half would help.
Highlight
Recent wins against Heathmont & a hard fought win against finals hopefuls Mulgrave, Templestowe now have a nice little cushion of 12 points to 5th place.
Lowlight
They led late into the game against league leaders Boronia and couldn’t get over the line. The Dockers will have to get better in the big moments if they are to go deep into the finals series.
Players
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure as Templestowe brought Carl Giovanini to the club from Blackburn’s reserves.
He’s been a revelation in the midfield and arguably their best player across the first nine rounds. Beau Mitchener fills the ruck void and as the club has also unearthed young gun Mathew Jessup.
Dean Limbach has also been a success so far, almost everything he’s touched has turned to goals with 12 goals from 15 kicks.
Final Say
It would take a mighty collapse now for Templestowe to not play finals and I suspect they’ll carry on in the back half of the year and sew up a top 3 place.
Predicted finish 2nd
Heathmont Jets
Pos: 4th place
W-L: 7-2
Points: 28
Percentage: 139.39%
For (Rank): 75.8ppg (6th)
Against (Rank): 54.4 (2nd)
Leading Goalkicker – Bailey Stevens -(34)
Summary
Keen to leave an injury plagued season behind, Missing the finals in 2022, Heathmont were keen to impress this year, they retained some key players and more importantly left their injury ridden season behind, getting back Bajramov and a host of other key players.
Known primarily this year for their stingy defensive performances, they’ve been in every game they’ve played. After opening up a twelve-point gap to fifth place, the Jets have all but wrapped up a finals spot at the midway point of the year and will be eying off a higher finish.
Highlight
Their best win came in round 6, knocking off the Waverly Blues by 4 points away from home, more impressive was the defensive effort, keeping the high scoring blues to just 8 goals for the day.
Lowlight
Home to Templestowe, Heathmont had a chance to assert themselves on the division and put a gap between third and fourth, but they couldn’t compete physically with the Dockers midfield and it’s something they’ll have to look at as we move closer to finals.
Players
Bailey Stevens leads the division for goals and has been a huge point of difference up forward or on ball for the Jets. Mullenger-Mchugh and Lake Tink have fit in nicely and really helped their midfield group and regaining the fitness of the dynamic Bajramov who has been like a new signing.
Final Say
The bye has come at a good time for the Jets who will retain many star players including Chris Colombo & Fin Brown in the second half of the season which should see them cherry ripe for an assault on finals.
Predicted finish 4th
East Burwood
Pos: 5th place
W-L: 4-5
Points: 16
Percentage: 111.62%
For (Rank): 79 ppg (4th)
Against (Rank): 70.7ppg (6th)
Leading Goal kicker – Marcus Young (20)
Summary
Coming off a preliminary final in 2022, the Rams have had an inconsistent start to the season that’s been plagued by injury and availability issues. Losing key players Matt Martini and Zac Hanlen in the off season certainly hasn’t helped either.
Thankfully for the Rams, their 4 wins and 5 losses sits them inside the top 5 and in a finals position by percentage. So the relatively poor start hasn’t cost them too much yet.
Highlight
Their class has been shown in two important wins against Mulgrave in round one and Ringwood in round eight, massive in the context of their season as they vie for that fifth finals position.
Lowlight
albeit with some big names out, their round 5 loss to Heathmont, was their worst loss of the season, only registering 3 goals for the day.
Players
Club stalwart Matt Mariani has had another great season while Marcus Young has been huge for the Rams, most recently coming off a 5 goal, 32 disposal game.
Final Say
East Burwood will hope they can get their best side on the park in the back half of the year which should leave them with a fighting chance at making finals.
Predicted finish – 6th
Ringwood
Pos: 6th place
W-L: 4-5
Points: 16
Percentage: 110.71%
For (Rank): 67.7 ppg (7th)
Against (Rank): 61.2 ppg (4th)
Leading Goalkicker – Mitch Breretton (17)
Summary
Ringwood just haven’t been able to get a consistent run at it this year and the season is slowly slipping away. Part of the mid table log jam from 5th – 7th, all on 16 points, they are still in the mix to play finals but they’ll have to pick up more “8 point games” against the sides around them to grab that elusive finals position.
Highlight
A huge win against league leaders Boronia in round seven was a massive win for the club and evidence they can still match it with the top teams of the division.
Lowlight
As they fight for the last finals position, their season will be defined by wins and losses against teams placed 5-8th, their win against ladder leader’s Boronia was unfortunately sandwiched between two disappointing losses to 7th placed Mulgrave and 5th placed East Burwood, these are the games Ringwood need to win if they are to find their way into the finals.
Players
Mitch Annett was unearthed against East Burwood in the Match and looked super impressive.
Final Say
A late season surge is certainly on the cards if they can get on top of their availability issues but they’ll be scrapping it out with Mulgrave and East Burwood who are also hungry to prove the doubters wrong.
Predicted finish – 7th
Mulgrave
Pos: 7th place
W-L: 4-6
Points: 16
Percentage: 93.76%
For (Rank): 78.1 ppg (5th)
Against (Rank): 83.3 ppg (8th )
Leading goal kicker – Fletcher Roberts – (33)
Summary
Plenty of optimism surrounded Mulgrave as they added Lin Jong and Fletcher Roberts in the off season. So far this year they haven’t been able to put it all together and they find themselves in a precarious 7th position having played an extra game.
Doubts on Mulgrave surround their bottom 5-10 players who will have to step up in the second half of the season.
Highlight
Their gutsy round six win away to Ringwood stands out as their best of the season. Trailing at half and three quarter time, they were composed in the final term and left Jubilee Park with an important win.
Lowlight
Not a poor loss by any means but their round 8 loss to Heathmont by two points was a gettable one and would have left them 5-5 at the break and in a finals position.
Players
Connor Tilyard has been one of the best for the Lions. While Fletcher Roberts has been a great focal point up forward.
Final Say
If Mulgrave can find their groove in the back half of the year, I think they’ll be a force to be reckoned with come finals time.
Predicted finish – 5th
The Basin
Pos: 8th place
W-L: 3-6
Points: 12
Percentage: 82.61 %
For (Rank): 66 ppg (8th)
Against (Rank): 79.8 ppg (7th)
Leading goalkicker – Trevor Mills (13)
Summary
It’s been a transition year for the Basin who have blooded a host of young players off their successful under19’s campaign last year. As such, they find themselves in a tier of their own this season and they appear to have some clear separation from the bottom two sides but haven’t been able to get consistent wins against the bigger bodied sides in the mid table.
The good news for Basin fans is they sit only one game outside a finals position and if their development continues, we could see them cause some surprises and impact the finals race.
Highlight
Huge win in round three against the far more experienced East Burwood Rams was a character defining win for the young side.
Lowlight
No individual losses stand out but a few last quarter fade outs have occurred, notably against Templestowe and Ringwood. Expect these to reverse as they gain more experience.
Players
A successful Under 19’s program has seen The Basin unearth a host of new players this season. Poe, Ferguson and power have been outstanding and taken to the step up nicely.
Final Say
Their defensive record sits 7th overall so they can cling onto that to go after some top teams in the back half of the year.
Prediction 8th
Upper Ferntree Gully
Pos: 9th place
W-L: 1-8
Points: 4
Percentage: 40.59 %
For (Rank): 50.7 ppg (10th )
Against (Rank): 125.1 ppg ( 10th )
Leading goalkicker – Rory Bailey (10)
Summary
It’s been another tough year on the field for Upper Ferntree Gully, they lost some key players after their relegation last year but a new coach, a cultural shift and some exciting young players gives the club hope for the future.
The young side has conceded 125 points per game and lost by 10+ goals in all but two of their matches. The silver lining is they notched up their first win in almost two years and they sit one game clear of the current wooden spooners Knox.
Highlight
A win is a win and the one against Knox was huge for the club and clearly their best moment for the season.
Lowlight
Their 125 points conceded per game is a massive concern and would be a KPI to fix in the back half of the season.
Players
A lot of new faces have come through the Upper Gully side this year.
Final Say
They will be a sitting duck to be leap frogged by Knox in the back half of the year, but all things considered, they’d be happy getting a win across their first 9 rounds. Their season won’t be defined by wins and losses and if they continue to improve, it’s a good one.
Prediction – 10th
Knox
Pos: 10th place
W-L: 0-9
Points: 0
Percentage: 48.63%
For (Rank): 53.4 ppg (9th)
Against (Rank): 109.8 ppg (9th)
Leading Goal kicker – Harrison Greaves (14)
Summary
A tough year for Knox result wise but the young side have had some promising performances and are unlucky to be sitting in last place. The challenge for Knox in the back half of the year will be to get themselves a win. The coach will take comfort in the fact, as a young side, they have the better percentage and can jump Upper Ferntree Gully when they meet later in the season.
I imagine they’ve pencilled in the fixture against Upper Ferntree as a must win.
Highlight
Kicking 10 goals against Heathmont is no easy feat and the young side pushed the far more experienced side right to the end, the best evidence we’ve seen of their development so far.
Lowlight
Has to be the close loss to Upper Ferntree Gully which was the most realistic chance of a win in the first half of the season.
Players
Harrison Greaves had fought hard across the first nine weeks, in the best six times and kicking 14 goals.
Final Say
With such a young side, Knox will be comfortable while they continue to improve but a win in the back half of the year would be a good sugar hit for everyone involved.
Prediction – 9th