We’re back, albeit without the entire community, but back nonetheless.
Get your head around the EFNL’s return with our Weekend Preview.
Vermont v South Croydon
Another chapter will be added in this modern day rivalry tomorrow in what looks to be the tastiest match up of the year as the current ladder leaders and the reigning premiers come head to head.
The Eagles and Dogs are not traditional rivals, but since 2017 they’ve delighted the EFNL community with some high octane thrillers and this weekend presents another thigh-rubber.
For a change, South Croydon seem to come into a game against Vermont as the favourite, with their early season form impressing immensely. The Dogs apply an incredible level pressure on their opponents and are the number one ranked side when it comes to tackles (85 per game) and forward 50 tackles (13.3).
The Dogs also look to move the ball by foot when they can, going with two kicks for each handball in 2021. They’re averaging 88.7 marks per game (#1), with Nick Evans and Jordan Walker amassing the most kicks. Evans in particular is a key proponent of the Dogs ball movement.
James Wilsen and Ben Willis have been the biggest beneficiaries down forward, taking 27 marks inside forward 50 between them.
They’ll have to be intelligent going forward against the Eagles though, with Adam Parker’s men the number one Intercept Marking side in the division.
Ruckman Liam Wale-Buxton is adept at filling gaps in defence and is averaging 2.2 intercepts per game, whilst Matt Wilcocks – who has played at both ends of the ground in 2021 – is also averaging two per game.
The young Eagles hit their straps in three weekends prior to lockdown, averaging 116 points per game against the division’s current bottom three, Rowville, North Ringwood and Doncaster. They’ll be without Mitch Mellis however, who is set to debut for Williamstown in the VFL.
With the two best attacking forces coming to a head this game screams goals. South Croydon’s experienced midfield will be the deciding factor for mine, in one of the games of the year.
Matt Fotia
Berwick vs Doncaster East
Berwick and Doncaster East face off for the first ever time at Edwin Flack Reserve this Saturday.
It’s certainly been tough for every club to have no football in the last three weeks, but it would have had to been even more difficult for the Berwick Football Club.
In their most recent match, the Wickers blew a golden opportunity to keep in touch with the top five, going down to the winless Doncaster Sharks. The disappointing result is something the boys from Berwick will be desperate to move on from and the best way to do that is with a big win.
The Wickers have certainly earned their position in the Premier Division of the EFNL. However, their form has been a little inconsistent like many others in the division. With a 2-3 season record, they’re well and truly still a chance to play finals but if they are to, they can’t possibly afford to be dropping anymore winnable games to clubs below them. Travis Tuck has had an outstanding year in the middle of the ground, averaging 23 disposals, 12.8 of those contested
For the Lions, their current season record of 1-4 also may not reflect their on-field performance this year. With multiple close losses, Doncaster East have put up some high scores, largely due to their new recruit and ex-AFL player, Sam Rowe.
As good of a team they’ve been offensively this season, the Lions have struggled at the other end of the field as opposition teams have put up high scores against them. With the side averaging 85.6 points against, coach Steve Buckle will be looking at what his team can do different in their defensive half this week against a fast-moving Berwick side.
Harry Money could be a key focus, the Wickers star forward has started to really hit his straps, kicking 17 goals for the season, an average of 3.4 a match. Limiting his influence and ability to mark inside 50 may go a long way in keeping the Wickers from scoring both freely and largely.
Expecting Berwick to bring their best and be too strong for the Lions this week.
Ryan Long
Croydon v East Ringwood
A massive top four battle in Division One, as Croydon face the Kangaroos for a second time in 2021, this time at Croydon Oval.
Croydon will look to bounce back following their round one loss at East Ringwood, going down by 23 points, after three goals from in form forward Alexander McIntosh.
The Blues have been in good form recently, with their one loss since round one coming against Montrose at home in the final game before the two week hiatus, beating ladder leaders Park Orchards in that run.
East Ringwood on the other hand have only lost one of their first six games, losing only against Park Orchards in round three.
It’s a match between two of the best three defences, with the Blues conceding 54.6 points per game and the Roos only conceding 45.6 points per game.
In what could be the difference on the day, the Blues boast the top goalscorer in Division One in Riley Costantino, who’s kicked 24 goals in seven games, including three bags of five.
Both teams also have stars everywhere. East Ringwood have the Belo brothers, with James kicking 13 goals so far, as well as tough and experienced campaigner Chris Cerni.
However, Croydon also boast the likes of solid defender Ben Cardamone, as well as Billy Dickson backing up Costantino.
This game will go down to the wire in what will be a decider as to who truly challenges Park Orchards. But Croydon will be determined to avenge their losses in round one and round seven before the COVID-stricken break.
Croydon as favourites at home.
Josh Ward
Wantirna South vs Mitcham
It’s a massive Saturday afternoon clash this week at Walker Reserve between the Devils and the Tigers. Both teams are well and truly in the hunt for a finals position, sitting seventh and fourth respectively.
This will be the second time these two clubs have faced off this year, the last time they met at Walker Park, the Tigers kicked five goals to two in the second half of a low scoring affair to celebrate their return to Division One in style. Mitcham beat Wantirna South by creating a high-pressure game style that the Devils found difficult to score against.
The win was highlighted by an impressive performance from Mitcham coach Neil Winterton who lifted in the second half, controlling the Tigers ball movement from the middle as well as hitting the scoreboard. Winterton has since become one of the many casualties on the Tigers injury list this season. The three-week break may be a blessing in disguise for Mitcham as they’ll be keen to have some key position players return for the second-half of the season.
For the Devils, they’ll be looking forward to some mid-season redemption.
Although they currently sit just a game and percentage out of the top five, Wantirna South have had a bit of a slow start to their 2021 campaign.
An early concern for the Devils was a lack of goal kickers which resulted in some heavy losses to the top-end teams of the division. However, they’ve since managed to find more avenues to goal in recent matches, Jack O’Keefe and Nick Beames have led the way with 12 and 11 goals respectively.
Lincoln Wong has also been on fire for the Devils once again this season, and produced a best on field performance in a losing side in their Round One match-up against the Tigers. Expect another solid game from the 2019 Best and Fairest winner, he’ll be the key in giving teammates such as O’Keefe and Beames an opportunity to kick multiple goals.
Have been very impressed with what I’ve seen from Mitcham this season but I’m tipping Wantirna South at home to redeem their round one lost and more importantly, keep their finals hopes alive.
Ryan Long
Ringwood v Heathmont
Another rivalry, this time one determined by geography, that has delivered more than enough action over the last few years, as Ringwood host Heathmont.
Heathmont have won their past two meetings against the Redbacks, one back in Round Three this year under lights at a revamped H.E.Parker Reserve and the other in frosty conditions at Jubilee Park back in 2019.
Both occasions have been low scoring, but don’t take that as gospel, with tomorrow’s encounter shaping as a free flowing one, with the number two and three ranked offences coming to a head on a fast deck.
Heathmont have booted scores of 85, 119, 98 and 199 in their last four outings and the three pronged attack of Jed Hansen, Fin Brown and Ahyan Bajramov have been the catalysts behind the scoring frenzy.
The young Jets will have to be on their game across the board tomorrow as they come up against a battle hardened Ringwood side.
The core group of Jordanov, Blyth, Jackson, Laing and the Farmers are producing the goods once again for the Redbacks in 2021, whilst new addition Tim Jones has been a welcome inclusion for Brett Rowe’s side.
Jones brings two years of Eastern Ranges experience and 75+ games in the EFNL top flight, and helps set up the side behind the ball and will be key to Ringwood keeping the young Jets forwards under wraps.
After three weeks off it’s all on what you think will be more valuable, youthful exuberance or steely maturity?
The mature red for me.
Matt Fotia
Boronia vs South Belgrave
Two of the Division Two premiership contenders meet for the second time this season as the Saints travel down to Tormore Reserve to take on the Boronia Hawks.
In their last encounter, it was Boronia that came from behind in the last quarter, kicking four goals to one to record an impressive nine-point win. The Hawks defence had a stellar performance with Jarrod Lake keeping South Belgrave star Tim Smith quiet while Harry Burgess finished the game with best on ground honours.
Since then, the Hawks have lost three games to Heathmont, The Basin and Ringwood on their home deck, a place they only lost twice at in the 2019 season. They’ve been forced to make several changes each week with important key players, including star recruit Taylor Leggate, finding themselves on the ever-growing injury list.
South Belgrave also find themselves in a similar position, they too have only beaten one of the other four flag contenders, that win coming against Heathmont earlier in the season. However, the positive is that they haven’t been blown out in any of these games, all being 18 points or under.
The Saints are one of the best offensive teams in the division, currently ranked first, averaging 87 points per game. This is partly due to the dominance of key forward Tim Smith who’s kicked 22 goals for the year and has managed to score at least two goals in every match he’s played. The team’s final score of 51 against the Hawks was their second lowest of the year, something they can’t afford to let happen again if they’re to come away with a win.
The wider ground at Tormore will be an interesting factor, quite a difference to the narrower ground at South Belgrave. With much better conditions predicted than the last time they met, we might see a more open free flowing game.
The importance of winning here cannot be underestimated, the losing side will sit outside the top four by a full game, making their run home even tougher.
South Belgrave are travelling along nicely but I still believe the Hawks have enough experience and star power to win and get their season back on track.
Ryan Long
Donvale v Waverley Blues
Two potential finalists come together once again in a battle between attack and defence at Donvale Reserve when Donvale face the Waverley Blues.
It was a rip-snorter the last time these two met, with the Magpies just sneaking over the line by three points at Mt Waverley Reserve, with Jarred Crabtree and Matt Perry kicking three goals each.
These two have very contrasting styles to each other, with the Blues averaging a 96 points per game whilst Donvale on the other hand are averaging only 67 points per game, but have scored 98 and 79 in their previous two games.
The Magpies concede only 65 points per game, the second best defence in the division. Waverley, however, also only concede around 70 points per game.
Both also have stars everywhere, with Perry kicking 19 goals so far (fifth best in division three) for the Blues as well as red hot Matt Sharpe and Paul Savage.
Nick Murphy is doing what he does best for the Magpies, kicking 11 goals in five games. James Rausa continues to shine and Matthew Leardi is back to his best.
This will also be another close one, with both in really good form. The Blues will look to win following the three point loss back in round one, but Donvale have only lost once at home in 2021. I’d be tipping the Magpies in yet another low-scoring and close encounter in Donvale.
Josh Ward
Surrey Park v Silvan
In another battle of the cats in division four, Silvan travels to Panther Park yet again as they face Surrey Park for the second time in 2021.
It was a close game the last time these two met, but a strong first half was the difference for the Panthers as they won by 24 points in round two.
And that’s been the story of the Panthers season, they kick away early on in their wins, averaging 61 points in first halves per game in 2021. They also only concede 24 points in first halves per game this season.
Silvan on the other hand, finish games off strongly as shown in their round two clash. They average 53 points in second halves per game this season whilst only conceding 32 points in second halves in 2021.
Both sides do have some of the best forwards, with Leigh Kimpton the third top goalscorer, kicking 21 in six games this year, including 14 in his last three. Matt Pollock is continuing to shine up forward, kicking 19 in the first six, including four against Chirnside Park.
This could be yet another intriguing game between two sides vying for a finals spot in 2021. If Silvan can prevent the Panthers from starting quickly, they’re a chance. If Surrey can stop Silvan from finishing quickly, then they should win.
But with the home ground advantage yet again for Surrey, and having won four of the last five encounters between the two sides, the Panthers could be set to win yet again against the Cats.
Josh Ward