By Jared Beanland.
Balwyn
Position: 1st
Wins/Losses: 7 / 2
Percentage: 129.3%
For (Rank): 87 average points per game (3rd)
Against (Rank): 67 average points per game (5th)
Leading Goal kicker (Goals): Jordan Lisle (21)
New coach Brenton Sanderson looks to be steering his Tigers towards an almost inevitable finals appearance. Winning 7 of their first 8 games, and putting down threatening opponents in the process, Balwyn have gone from likely finalists at the start of the year, to many peoples’ premiership favourites at this mid-season point.
Balwyn have proven to be strong across all areas of the ground, however the potency of their forward line is what has been causing headaches all year for opponents. Consistent threats Jordan Lisle and Jeff Gobbels have a total of 45 goals across their combined 18 games of the year, while Charlie Haley – occasionally absent due to his VFL commitments at Sydney – and Josh Walker both loom large as potential scoring beasts come the finals.
Midfielders such as Alexander Urban, and Nathan Oakes have also had more-than-handy years – with Urban racking up a whopping 49 touches in their round 7 game against Park Orchards.
The one caveat to what has been an impressive season is the fact that Balwyn are yet to play some fellow likely finalists such as Doncaster East and East Ringwood. Blackburn, who the Tigers defeated in round 1, is another match-up which will test them, since the Burners have improved significantly since the start of the season. They will also have to play off against Noble Park once again in round 18, a team which have recently scored a comprehensive victory against Balwyn on the King’s Birthday weekend.
While there are plenty of trials ahead, things will have to go horribly wrong at Balwyn if they don’t end up making a deep finals push this year. In such an even division a strong start can go a long way towards setting up future glory.
Berwick
Position: 10th
Wins/Losses: 2 / 6
Percentage: 65.96%
For (Rank): 50 average points per game (11th)
Against (Rank): 76 average points per game (9th)
Leading goal kicker (Goals): Charlie Muley (14)
Starting the year with a gritty win against Vermont, Berwick then lost the next five games on the trot. To their credit, four of those were against highly fancied finals contenders, yet the one loss against the otherwise unsuccessful Doncaster would have stung coach Clint Evans and his crew.
After showing signs against Rowville for three quarters in round 6, Berwick finally broke through for their second win of the season against South Croydon in a home game at Edwin Flack Reserve, surviving a late fourth quarter charge from the Bulldogs. This was a game which showcased the same grit with which they won their Round 1 match against Vermont. It is games like these which exemplify the fact that Berwick can be very hard to score against at times.
Through most of the season Berwick have been in games, which is an impressive feat given the injury toll they have suffered during this run. Out of those who have been able to play consistently for the Wickers, Jesse Cirulis and Benzhamin Todd have stepped up their efforts during this season. Recruits such as Brad Homfrey and Kyle O’Sullivan have joined them as consistent performers, while Will Arthurson has returned to the club full time and continues to impress on a weekly basis.
Finals may not be on the cards for Berwick in season 2023, however this is a team that will give themselves every chance to stay out of the double relegation zone in the second half of the season.
Blackburn
Position: 5th
Wins/Losses: 5 / 3
Percentage: 131.27%
For (Rank): 93 average points per game (2nd)
Against (Rank): 71 average points per game (6th)
Leading Goal kicker (Goals): Patrick Lawlor (14)
After a tough start to the year Blackburn have impressed in most of their games, and look to be amongst the contenders of the division this year.
Going down to Balwyn and South Croydon in rounds 1 and 2 was not the ideal start for coach Brendan Allen, however he has turned things around in a short space of time, and built upon the positives that were still present in those two games.
Perhaps the most impressive win of the season came after that shaky start, when in round 3 they upset Doncaster East, while also addressing their scoring issues that dogged them in the first two games. They went on to win their next 4 games, and only dropped their most recent match by 15 points against an impressive East Ringwood.
While they lack the power key forward that other teams have, many goals have been scored through their multi-talented midfielders pushing forward. Captain Pat Lawlor has led this trend with his 14 goals, while Sam Harte isn’t far behind with 11.
Sharing the wealth seems to be the way the Burners want to hit the scoreboard. 12 of their players have kicked 5 goals or more for the season so far, the highest of any team in the division – and 3 more than the next teams down (Noble Park and Doncaster East). Such a high volume of potential goal kickers will make them a threatening match up in the second half of the season.
Down back Blackburn have also looked pretty sound, with players such as Connor Hinkley, Tyler Faulkner, and Tom Maher also having good years. Around the stoppages Kade Answerth has come back from being North Melbourne’s VFL side, and has an immediate impact, while Jason Read continues to be one of their more consistent performers.
The finals path for Blackburn is wide open, with 3 of the bottom 4 sides to come against in the second half of the year. The 2023 journey recommences for Blackburn in round 9 against ancient rivals Vermont, in what looks to be a fascinating match-up between two teams continuously on the improve this season.
Doncaster
Position: 11th
Wins/Losses: 1 / 7
Percentage: 40.8%
For (Rank): 46 average points per game (12th)
Against (Rank): 112 average points per game (12th)
Leading Goal kicker (Goals): Kyle Viccars (14)
2023 has been a disappointing year for Doncaster to say the least. The Sharks have struggled both to score, and to prevent being scored against. The writing was almost on the wall from the word go when numerous key players made their exit from the club in the off-season, such as Kane Henden, Jack Mahon, Campbell Tweedy, and Jake Spencer. As anyone would have, coach Chris Annakis has struggled to replace such valuable assets to the team.
The positives are still there for Doncaster, however. The main shining light early in the season was Kyle Viccars – 14 goals in 5 games in a struggling side is highly impressive. Unfortunately for the Sharks, Viccars has had VFL duties for Port Melbourne to attend to, and may not don the hoops again this year. Ruckman Aaron Guntry has had an excellent opening season for the Sharks in 2023, and has been in their best 7 times from his 7 games. Veterans such as Liam Coghlan and captain Angelo Rambaldi also continue to deliver consistently.
As gloomy as the season seems to be, this is still a team which has backs-against-the-wall potential, which was displayed in their one win for the year. Berwick led 6 goals to 0 at half time in round 3, yet despite a goalless first half the Sharks were able to turn the tables for a gusty, hard-fought win.
As the second half of the season draws near, the task for Doncaster remains clear – escape 11th spot, and double relegation. While they will struggle to meet the standard they set in 2022 of 5 wins, it still remains possible given they still have 4 matches to go against fellow bottom 4 sides. They will play vulnerable South Croydon twice, the winless Park Orchards, and Berwick – whom they already beat. Doncaster’s fight for survival continues in round 9, with the first of those two matches against South Croydon.
Doncaster East
Position: 6th
Wins/Losses: 5 / 3
Percentage: 126.64%
For (Rank): 94 average points per game (1st)
Against (Rank): 74 average points per game (8th)
Leading Goal kicker (Goals): Tom Bell (18)
Doncaster East are looking to follow up a somewhat successful 2022 season with another chance to make a run at the finals. At the mid point of the season the Lions find themselves immersed in the logjam between 2nd and 8th spot, just clinging on to their position in the top 6 by percentage.
Their season has been marked by some high scoring games, yet they have found themselves at both ends of the ledger in that regard. They are the highest scoring team in the division currently, which will definitely be a concern for their coming opponents. On the flip side, they fall way short of the average defensively, displaying a high-risk, high-reward brand of footy that can leave them hurting against more potent opposition.
The one fact that remains worrisome for Ryan James and his team, is that the only team outside of the bottom four that they have beaten is Noble Park. While defeating the reigning premiers is a worthy achievement, Doncaster East has fallen short against most other teams around them.
Former Carlton and Brisbane AFL player Tom Bell leads the goal kicking while, others around him have feasted on opportunities. Jack Sholakis, Luke Tynan, and Liam Loverso have each kicked 10+ goals, and are some of the main reasons behind the potency of this team. Down back Simon White continues to marshal the defence, while Chris Phelan and James Appleby are reliable ball-winners in the centre.
Of Doncaster East’s last 10 games of the season, five will come against teams currently in the top 4, making the next half of the year harder for them than most. Despite this, the potency of this team cannot be ignored, and if underestimated the Lions are a team who have the potential to bury most opposition. The next challenge for Doncaster East comes in the form of Norwood at Mullum Mullum Reserve, in the first of two clashes against the Norsemen in the last half of the year.
East Ringwood
Position: 2nd
Wins/Losses: 6 / 2
Percentage: 143.28%
For (Rank): 85 average points per game (5th)
Against (Rank): 59 average points per game (1st)
Leading Goal kicker (Goals): Trent Farmer (19)
The meteoric rise of East Ringwood is probably the story of the first half of the year in premier division. Coming into the top end competition of our league off the back of a ruthless Grand Final defeat of Mooroolbark in 2022, the Roos have more than acquitted themselves as a team which belongs amongst the best of the East.
While the two losses of the season have come against opponents not currently in the top 6 – South Croydon and Norwood – these blemishes are far outweighed by 3 victories against teams who are 6th or above, plus one against Rowville who are just knocking on the door. While teams may have been taken by surprise early in the year, East Ringwood have proven to be more than just upstarts, continuing their good form as a known quantity with recent victories against Doncaster East and Blackburn.
The talls of East Ringwood have been some of their stand-out stars this year, with the ruck combination of Hanin Mundy and Adam Swierzbiolek proving to be a difficult match-up for most teams to deal with. Trent Farmer continues his excellent form of 2022, leading the goal tally at East Ringwood with 19.
However it is the defence of East Ringwood which has proven to be their major strength. Chris Cerni, Damon Delaney and co have provided excellent stability in defence, which will prove to be invaluable come the high-pressure environment of finals. No discussion about East Ringwood would be complete without a mention of James Belo, one of the standout midfielders of the year, with four best on ground performances throughout the season already.
East Ringwood have a real chance to run into even greater form moving into the next half of the year, with the next three of their matches against bottom four sides. The road gets harder from there, however Ben Osborne’s men have proven to be able to handle some of the best of this division already, and will welcome the challenges the next few months will present.
Noble Park
Position: 4th
Wins/Losses: 6 / 3
Percentage: 125.69%
For (Rank): 80 average points per game (6th)
Against (Rank): 64 average points per game (joint 2nd)
Leading Goal kicker (Goals): Liam Scott (14)
The reigning premiers of the division have had a solid, albeit not stellar start to their 2023 campaign. The lofty standards of their 2022 season have been understandably difficult for the Bulls to recreate, as shown in some of their losses to teams such as Norwood and Vermont.
This combined with the fact that all of their losses have come at home may constitute some worries for the Noble Park faithful. The tide may be turning at Pat Wright Senior Reserve, however, since a highly impressive victory against ladder leaders Balwyn on King’s Birthday weekend displayed the Noble Park that took all before them last year. Pressure and defensive thinking were the hallmarks of the team last year, and those were both on full display against the Tigers.
Their backline game has been on point through out the year, as they remain the joint second best defensive side along with Rowville. Leading the charge for the Bulls in the backline is Ryan Morrison, ably aided by recruited swing-man Jackson Casey, and consistent performer Luke Bull.
The stars of the team, however, are located squarely in the centre of the ground. Jackson Sketcher is having yet another massive season, while Chris Horton-Milne will never be far behind. Scoring has been the one potential issue, however like Blackburn, Noble Park have been able to make do and mend after the losses of forwards Shane Allen and Ziggy Alwyn during the off-season. Liam Scott, Ben Marson, and Harvey Fairbank can reliably hit the scoreboard, while Nathan Noblett is having an excellent debut year for the Bulls, starring in a round 2 performance against Berwick with 5 goals.
Noble Park still have a tough task ahead of them to replicate what they did last year. Yet with the evenness of the division, it might be the experience on the field, and coaching prowess of Steve Hughes that secure back-to-back premierships for the Bulls.
Norwood
Position: 8th
Wins/Losses: 4 / 4
Percentage: 96.21%
For (Rank): 70 average points per game (9th)
Against (Rank): 72 average points per game (7th)
Leading Goal kicker (Goals): Rhett Jordon (21)
The Norsemen have been an enigma in year 2023. An even ledger belies the fact that this is a team with the potential to take on the best this division has to offer, and even beat them on occasion. This has been contrasted with games against teams around them on the ladder, such as Vermont, Rowville, and Blackburn, which they have let slip – the latter two by fairly close margins. This has led to Norwood being at the bottom of the logjam of potential finals contenders, yet this doesn’t mean they’re without a good shot at making it.
The two crowning achievements of the first half of the year are undoubtedly wins against Noble Park and East Ringwood, both were games in which the total score of both teams combined barely went over 100. Marty Pask’s team enjoy a defensive scrap, and won’t be relying on large scores to win games at the pointy end of the season – a mentality that may pay dividends if they manage to reach the finals.
Rhett Jordon has often been relied upon to kick winning scores for Norwood, with 21 goals for the season so far, with Hugh Johnson, and Jamie Bennell also often dangerous. Michael Wenn in ruck has had a standout year, tapping it down to midfield guns such as Liam O’Dea, Lockie Dickson, and Tom Maloney. These last two have only played a combined total of 6 games so far for the year, so there is plenty of upside for Norwood going into the coming months.
The path is open for Norwood, due to the fact that five of their next ten games will come against teams in the bottom four. If they are able to pinch games against top sides, as they have already, their even ledger should improve, and a spot in the finals is up for grabs.
Park Orchards
Position: 12th
Wins/Losses: 0 / 8
Percentage: 63.06%
For (Rank): 61 average points per game (10th)
Against (Rank): 97 average points per game (11th)
Leading Goal kicker (Goals): Michael Prosenak (12)
It has been a difficult season for the team that had only just risen to premier division last year. However their winless record doesn’t necessarily do justice to what the Sharks have been able to put out on the park. Close losses to Doncaster East and Rowville in the early going tell of a team which can put together performances worthy of this division. Any momentum they may have had was sucked out of their season during a string of games that didn’t prove to be so tight, particularly their 10 goal losses to Blackburn and Noble Park.
It takes a good player to continue to play consistently in a losing side, and standouts such as Mclaren Spiteri, Matt Haythorne, Mason Blakey, and leading goal kicker Michael Prosenak have proven to be assets throughout this tough season for Park Orchards.
When looking at the ladder, one positive can be identified, and that is the fact that a percentage of 60+ is uncommonly good for a team without a single win. It must also be noted that Park Orchards have had a tough draw, and are yet to play any of their fellow bottom four sides, and have four such games out of their next ten. This, their ability to limit blowouts, and a better scoring average than both Doncaster and Berwick, may signify their potential to finally get a win on the board.
Rowville
Position: 7th
Wins/Losses: 5 / 3
Percentage: 123.44%
For (Rank): 79 average points per game (7th)
Against (Rank): 64 average points per game (joint 2nd)
Leading Goal kicker (Goals): Lachie Wynd (30)
The silver medallists of the 2022 season had a tough start to the year, losing three of their first five games, and survivng a close scrape against the thus-far winless Park Orchards. This was in part due to a tough draw, however it was clear Rowville were struggling to replicate the form that made them minor premiers last year. Their season looked decidedly back on track after a thumping 57 point win over fellow contenders Doncaster East, and controlling the match against Norwood from the start.
The obvious stand out player for Rowville this season is Lachie Wynd, impressing with a whopping 30 goals from 6 games. This is contrasted, however, by the fact that the next goal scorer down on Rowville’s list only has 9 for the year – that player being Jake Arundell. It highlights a potential over-reliance on Wynd to kick a winning score for them – an issue that would have been unfamiliar to them last year.
Players such as Arundell, Maverick Taylor, and Matt Davey have been uncharacteristically quiet when it comes to goal kicking. This is where their most recent game against Norwood looks so impressive. Rowville kicked 13 goals without Wynd playing, showing that as the season goes on, the smaller forwards are working their way back into games.
It’s not just the forward line that will be the key to victory for the Hawks. The centre of the ground holds a lot of talent also, with ruckman Nik Schoenmakers making the best-on list in five of his six games for the year. Anthony Brolic always leads from the front, Lachie Mcdonald continues his excellent form from last year, while the Coleclough brothers, Jai and Brock have cemented themselves as consistent performers for Rowville.
The tough draw eases up for Rowville in the next ten matches, with four of them coming against bottom four sides. Yet this recent turn-around in form will need to continue if the Hawks have a shot at making the finals. Expectations on them were high this year, and sitting 7th on the ladder is a precarious position to be in, given the hopes to go one better than last year.
South Croydon
Position: 9th
Wins/Losses: 2 / 6
Percentage: 86.37%
For (Rank): 70 average points per game (8th)
Against (Rank): 82 average points per game (10th)
Leading Goal kicker (Goals): James Wilsen (24)
As last year’s preliminary finalists sitting on only two wins from eight games, it’s fair to say South Croydon have been the under performers of the division this year. Their win-loss record looks even more damning when it’s considered that both of their wins came at the very start of the year, against teams which have since grown into the year, and improved massively in Blackburn and East Ringwood. Of the six consecutive losses which came after those wins, a couple of them would have stung.
The six point loss to Balwyn was a chance to upset the top team, yet six goals in the final quarter wasn’t enough. A four point loss came the week after, this one against Berwick, a team which South Croydon should have beaten by most metrics.
Absences have hampered the Bulldogs’ run this year, particularly that of Max King. The 2022 joint Chandler Medal winner was a consistent star for South Croydon last year. Picking up the slack in the ruck is recruit Tom Hofert, one of the more consistent performers throughout the year at Cheong Park. Another recruit, former VFL man Brandon Wood, would have also been an asset, yet has also struggled to get onto the park.
The best performers for South Croydon are familiar names. Brayden Kilpatrick has been one of the best in each of his eight games for the year. James Wilsen also continues to be a lethal forward, leading the tally for the Dogs at 24. Joining them in the best is former Park Orchards man Matt George, the defender proving to be a reliable force down back along side familiar names such as Tyler Charlton and Tom Schinck, both also having good years.
It’s hard to see a path to the finals for South Croydon from this point onwards, and if they are to progress come the pointy end of the season, they’ll need to turn Cheong Park into the fortress it was last year.
Having already lost four of their five home games so far, the Dogs are far off the pace they set last year with unfortunately, a very undermanned squad.
While their current spot on the ladder puts them near the relegation zone, that danger should be averted with three of their last ten games against fellow bottom four sides, and strong losing performances against teams such as Balwyn and Noble Park suggest that they could still pinch wins from teams above them.
Vermont
Position: 3rd
Wins/Losses: 6 / 2
Percentage: 128.17%
For (Rank): 86 average points per game (4th)
Against (Rank): 67 average points per game (4th)
Leading Goal kicker (Goals): Adrian Kalcovski (24)
Vermont’s poor form last year looked like it was about to continue into 2023, yet the Eagles have pulled out of a nosedive and once more look like the powerhouse they’re used to being. An unexpected home loss against Berwick, followed up two weeks later by a 91 point hosing at the hands of East Ringwood had most believing that this year would be a struggle for Vermont. That turned around against the mighty Balwyn, when the Eagles upset the current ladder leaders in club champion Robbie Ross’s 200th game. Vermont have not looked back since that, winning their next four games, including a win against reigning premiers Noble Park on the road.
Former Chandler Medal winner Lachie Johns has led by example once again, while players such as Calvin Daraio and Lucas Vassis have both stepped up, ensuring Vermont’s rise back to prominence. Adrian Kalcovski as been the major threat in the forward line, booting 24 goals for the year, while Zac Thiessen has proven able to kick a bag also, with five goals in their win against South Croydon. There is also plenty of upside for the Eagles, with Robbie Ross and Alexander Greenwood only managing 6 games between them so far.
Six wins in a row, and finals in their sights, Adam Parker’s men have a chance to rise above the pack of teams vying for position in the finals if they can continue this consistent streak. Six of their last ten games will be played at home, where they have managed to keep opponents to an average of 51 points this year. Vermont look well set up to prove that missing finals last year was merely an aberration.
