Another weekend on the horizon, another set of juicy EFNL match-ups.
Take a look at the big ones in the Eastland Weekend Preview.
Balwyn v Doncaster
Two sides who have returned from the three week hiatus at the peak of their powers are Balwyn and Doncaster, who met at the Tigers den tomorrow, both eyeing off the final spot in the four.
The Tigers have been incredible since the return to play, taking their attack to the next level, averaging 116 points per game in the last fortnight, up 47.4 points on their pre-lockdown form. They’ve also tightened up defensively, allowing just 59 points per game, down from 74.2.
Doncaster haven’t transformed into an attacking beast like Balwyn, preferring to keep a tight hold on their opponents.
They’ve conceded just 36.5 points per game recently, down a massive 68.5 points, and whilst this might have something to do with Schramms Reserve with the Sharks offence also on a downward trend going from 60 points per game to 50.5 in an albeit smaller sample size, it’s still a more than impressive couple of performances from the Doncaster boys.
Both sides upturn is highlighted further by the stats sheet.
In the last two weeks Balwyn have been using the ball brilliantly, taking 86 marks against Noble Park before cracking the tonne against Rowville with 133 on Saturday just gone.
116 of those uncontested.
They’ve taken 39 intercept marks in the last fortnight, 21 inside 50 and are going at 69.5% disposal efficiency.
Kris Pendlebury and Thomas Freeman have been the big players since the break, with the pair kickstarting Balwyn attacks.
In the last fortnight they’ve had 91 disposals, 40 marks (15 intercept) and 30 rebound 50’s between them. If one doesn’t stop you, the other one will – a nightmare for opposition attacks.
Meanwhile the Sharks have upped their stoppage work.
They’ve won the clearances against Doncaster East and Norwood, have laid 155 tackles and are up 21 pressure acts on their opponents (total) since the forced byes.
Hayden Bertoli-Simmonds is going under the radar, with the strong midfielder getting his hands on the footy, averaging 28.5 disposals, 6 tackles and 7 clearances across the last two weeks, whilst ex Surrey Park man Kane Henden has slotted nicely into the Sharks system, linking up well. He’s collected 44 possessions in the last two weeks, with 17 marks.
But perhaps the most important player in recent times has been half back Nicholas Kempe. He’s had 50 disposals across their two most recent wins, 44 of them by foot, resulting in 19 rebound 50’s. If Balwyn can limit his influence, the Sharks offence will take another hit.
Doncaster are stringing together some good form, but Balwyn are hard to go past at the moment, with all of it starting to click. If it clicks again tomorrow, they should win comfortably.
Matt Fotia
Park Orchards v East Ringwood
The best BMX track in the Eastern suburbs will host the biggest clash of the weekend tomorrow when the two front runners for the Division One title come together at Stintons Reserve.
East Ringwood and Park Orchards are two games clear of third placed Croydon and are showing no signs of slowing down.
The Sharks in particular are creating a Harlem Globetrotters feel to their play. The freewheeling boys from Park Orchards are averaging 133.6 points per game in the last five weeks, with any number of players hitting the scoresheet.
Connor Hickey leads all-comers with 24 majors for 2021, eight in the last two weeks, whilst Kane Keppel is having quite the season, with 18 goals and a 77% time in best strike rate.
Recent in James Blanck has been another handy addition, with the Box Hill man warming into his time at Stintons with two strong performances since the break, adding to his three games with the VFL Hawks earlier in the year.
East Ringwood have started to become just as dominant in recent times.
In their last three outings they’ve absolutely peppered the opposition defences, having 32.3 shots at goal per game, keeping their opponents to 13.6 during the same period. Wantirna South’s incredible accuracy (15.4) was one of the key reasons last weekend’s clash wasn’t decided by a bigger margin.
James Belo is warming into his work, with four majors last week bringing him to 19 for the year, Ruckman Hanin Mundy is filling the shoes of club legend Andrew Renton pretty comfortably and is having a big say on games, whilst Josh Weightman had an uncharacteristically quiet game last week – don’t bet on that again.
Last time they met I went with the Roos, who went down in a tight, inaccurate affair. I’m sticking by them this time out. They’ve got the man power to halt Park Orchards going forward – somewhat – and in recent times have stepped up their own attacking prowess.
Roos in a thriller.
Matt Fotia
Wantirna South vs Mooroolbark
Wantirna South host the Mooroolbark Mustangs in what will be a season-defining match for the Devils. With six wins this season, the fourth-placed Mustangs hold a two-game lead on the sixth place Devils who have four wins. A loss here and you can probably count out the boys from Walker Reserve to have any chance of a finals birth.
The Devils showed plenty of promise last week in a 16 loss to the Roos. A high scoring encounter saw a combined total of 31 goals kicked. Although East Ringwood had control of the midfield battle, easily winning the Inside 50 count, the Devils kept themselves in the game with some accurate kicking at goal.
Wantirna South was kept to just 26 points the last time these two met. However, the scoring issues they had earlier in the year have started to disappear as they have hit some timely form. In their last three matches, the Devils have kicked 18, 17 and 15 goals respectively.
Marcus Jordan has 13 majors in the last three outings while Jack O’Keefe has 12. This seems to be the biggest difference since the Round Three loss to the Mustangs, if these types of players can get involved while getting enough quality delivery inside 50 from stars like Lincoln Wong, the Devils will be every chance.
The Mustangs have also managed to find some form in recent weeks, returning to the high scoring, free-flowing football they played in the first five rounds. After disappointing losses to Croydon and Park Orchards, Mooroolbark have scored a combined total of 235 points in two dominant wins over Bayswater and Lilydale. Austin Smith and Kane Noonan have continued their impressive year of football, being in the best in the matches after the mid-season break.
However, the side faces a massive blow for not only this week but also their premiership chances with Aaron Mullett suffering a serious injury to his AC joint. The leading goal scorer of Division One is set to spend significant time on the sidelines, likely to miss the remainder of the season. Mullett has 29 majors for the year and has been the main target up forward, always getting plenty of attention from opposition defenders.
With Mullett out, there’s a lot more pressure on Paul Hager who has kicked 15 goals so far this season. He’ll become a bigger focus up forward with the side needing to find new avenues to goal.
Although the Mustangs sit a game and percentage clear in fourth place, a loss would open up the door for both Montrose and Wantirna South, making the result just as important for them.
Another honourable loss won’t cut it for the Devils, they have to keep winning to stay in contention. For that reason, I’m tipping them to get across the line in a close one.
Ryan Long
Ringwood v South Belgrave
It’s yet another top four matchup for the Saints as they take the trip down to Jubilee Park to face the top of the table Redbacks.
Last time around up the mountain it was a high scoring encounter, with Ringwood sneaking home by a goal courtesy of four goals from Mitchell Brereton, despite four goals from Timothy Smith, who will miss this weekends encounter.
These two sides are the best sides on the attack, with South Belgrave averaging a division high 87.7 points per game and Ringwood averaging 81 points per game so far.
It’ll be a very interesting battle up forward, with the Saints boasting the likes of Leigh Odermatt, Damian Garner, Sam Brown as well as superstar recruit Smith.
Ringwood’s forward line on the other hand includes Trent Farmer, who kicked a season high seven goals last weekend at Mulgrave, Mitch Farmer and Declan Hill.
They’re the second and third best defensive teams, with the Redbacks conceding only 48.6 points per game and the Saints conceding 49.7 points per game in 2021.
They also boast great midfields too, with Ringwood’s containing red hot Jack Blyth and the Saints having the Kidd brothers.
This game has plenty of factors as to who will win. The main one: who can shut down each team’s best forward. It’ll also come down to if their best forward has no influence, who can stand up and kick a bag.
But with Ringwood in good form and having only lost once (at HE Parker Reserve) this season, I’m tipping them to get the win at home in another thriller.
Josh Ward
Ferntree Gully vs Waverley Blues
Two teams right in the hunt for a top-four position in Division Three go head to head at Wally Tew Reserve this Saturday.
The Eagles have had a fantastic year but after being knocked off comfortably by Warrandyte for the second time this season, there’s certainly a lot that the side can work on to have a better chance of a premiership run come September. The final score of 69 points was Ferntree Gully’s equal lowest of the year, coincidentally, both coming against the Bloods.
Ferntree Gully’s leading goal scorer Kieran Gray was kept goalless for the first time this year. The Eagles star will be looking to turn things around this week, he was a major factor the last time these teams met, booting three goals alongside Corey Preston who had five.
Daniel De leso finished in the Eagles best for the fifth time in eight games last week, he also had an impressive outing against the Blues in Round Three, ending the game with the best on-field honours. It leaves Blues coach Tom Langford with the question of whether or not they need to spend more attention on limiting the impact of the star Eagle.
The Waverley Blues have certainly been inconsistent this year, only winning consecutive games once this season.
At their best, the Waverley Blues can put away opposition teams with their high scoring and is proven with their 125.50 per cent on the ladder, just one per cent shy of the Eagles. They average 91 points a game with Matt Perry being the standout up forward, averaging over three goals a game.
Scoring power isn’t an issue for the Waverley Blues when they can get on top of the clearance battle. However, when they do struggle in that area of the ground against strong opposition, the Blues are easily scored against. It’s exactly what happened earlier in the year with the Eagles winning by 58 points, dominating the clearances and having 20 more scoring shots than the Blues.
If they can pinch a win here away from home, a top-four finals position suddenly becomes a lot more realistic where a loss will keep them back in the pack with Donvale and Scoresby.
It was a fairly inexperienced lineup for the Blues back in Round Three so I expect it to be a more even battle but Ferntree Gully should still take the four points on their home deck.
Ryan Long
Chirnside Park v Kilsyth
It’s Kilsyth who takes the trip up Manchester Road to Kimberley Drive as they face Chirnside Park for a second time in 2021.
Back in round four at Pinks Reserve it was Chirnside Park prevailing by 65 points thanks to a 50-15 second half scoreline, and five goals from former Wantirna South forward Daniel Beddome, giving them their second win in three weeks (following 37 consecutive losses).
Both teams are right in the middle in ladder position and in terms of attack and defence in Division Four, with Chirnside Park averaging 79.3 points per game (fifth best) and Kilsyth averaging 72 points per game (sixth best).
Kilsyth’s attack is led by the in form Ryan Goodinson, who’s kicked 22 goals in six games in 2021. He also has good support in James Anderson and Simon Clarke.
Chirnside Park’s attack is led by Beddome and Ben Slattery, who’ve combined for 30 goals in 15 games this season so far. Samuel King has kicked nine in four games, including three last weekend against Forest Hill.
Their defences on the other hand have conceded big bags, with the Panthers having conceded 75.9 points per game, the Cougars have conceded 107 points per game in 2021.
The key factors for this game will be if one of these midfields can get the supply into their best forwards in Slattery or Goodinson and if they can kick yet another big bag.
But having not lost against teams lower than them (haven’t played Nunawading yet) and coming off a tight loss at Forest Hill Reserve, I’m tipping the Panthers to get the win.
Josh Ward