By Matt Fotia
A Parker Cup classic, Doncaster East make history, Chirnside Park snap a long losing streak, Bloods rising and is the Division One top five almost done?
All that in this weeks In + Under
1. Lions Roar
After what feels like an eternity Doncaster East have finally won a game in the Premier Division, following pandemics, restructures and last gasp losses.
The Lions were too strong for their local rivals Doncaster on the weekend, dominant at both ends of the park and overwhelming physical in the middle. The Lions will test any number of sides coming to their home track in 2021, such is their star power at either end of the ground.
Down back ex Blue Simon White organises the half back line and provides a bounty of attacks. The Lions captain is averaging 23.5 disposals, six intercept marks and 10 rebound 50’s per game in 2021, highlighting his key role in both defence and attack.
He’s been partnered with noted goal kicker Tom Gordon in 2021, with the Lions spearhead turned defender looking comfortable at the other end of the field. He’s finding the footy 17.5 times a game and has completed nine spoils across the two fixtures this year and with his ability to read the play and think like a forward, he will no doubt be a more than capable defender.
Up forward Sam Rowe starred on one leg on the weekend, snagging eight majors to take his season tally up to 11, and will give the Lions a pretty handy get out of jail kick whenever they need it, whilst Jake Summers seems to be adapting to his new second string role nicely.
In the middle of the ground the Lions are clearly a contested ball first side, winning this stat by over 25 in both of their games thus far and they’ve also had the better of the clearances in week one and week two as well.
One area that will worry coach Steve Buckle is their ball use, specifically by foot. The Lions went at 47% against Blackburn and 54% against Doncaster. The dimensions of Zerbes Reserve mean they’re able to rectify their errors by heaping pressure on their opponents in an instant, but this is something to keep an eye on when they travel to grounds such as Edwin Flack, Quambee, Pat Wright Snr Oval and Mullum Mullum.
Nevertheless, the Lions look comfortable at this level and will be just fine.
Doncaster East coach Steve Buckle. PHOTO: Davis Harrigan Photography/EFL Media
2. Panther Party
Speaking of waiting an eternity, Chirnside Park got their first win in 38 attempts on the weekend when they cruised to victory over new local rivals Croydon North MLOC. The Panthers booted 13 goals in the first half before taking their foot off the pedal as they lapped up the win and you can’t blame them.
They were led by ex Croydon and Mooroolbark utility,Ben Slattery who continued his hot start to the year with another Best On Ground performance by kicking five goals in the big win.
Regardless of the standing of their opposition, this win could not be more important for the Panthers, who head into a crucial game this weekend against Forest Hill, with both sides keen on returning to the finals calculations.
With the monkey now off their backs Chirnside Park can head into this game with a clear mindset and eye off back to back wins – for the first time in who knows how long!
3. Gully Win makes Bloods look good and Blues look meh
Ferntree Gully bounced back from its home loss to Warrandyte in round two with a resounding 59 point win over the Waverley Blues, led by Kieran Gray – who now has eight goals and three appearances in the best in 2021 – and Corey Preston who booted five majors.
The Eagles kept the Blues to just 14 scoring shots and it is the second time this season the highly rated Blues have failed to kick over 65 points and they’re flattering to deceive, having lost two games at home this season with a massacre of a young Scoresby outfit in between. It’s by no means panic stations for Tom Langford’s side, but there is pressure building as they turn their attention towards Whitehorse Pioneers this week.
While we’re at it, Warrandyte are looking better and better. Their win over Ferntree Gully is now looking even more impressive following the weekend’s results as the Gully smacked the flag favourites and the Bloods shoved aside the Pioneers with ease, thanks to a Ryan Phillips seven goal haul.
Photo – Trewella Sports Photography
4. Div 1 Run + Done?
Is there only one spot left in the Division One top five up for grabs?
Probably not, but the sides down the bottom end wouldn’t want to leave their run any later.
Mooroolbark and Park Orchards seem certainties to feature in September as they both went 3-0 on the weekend, whilst Mitcham further solidified their creditinals with another win, this time over Upper Ferntree Gully. The Tigers are running out of players however, with another couple of injuries on the weekend leaving them vulnerable to slipping out of the five.
East Ringwood suffered their first loss but there’s nothing to fear for the Roos, who led at stages throughout the tight tussle with the Sharks and will be fine if they continue to put in those performances week in, week out.
Croydon seem to be building very slowly – see Geelong in the AFL – and their list suggests they’ll be right amongst it, even if they haven’t got out of first gear as of yet, whilst Montrose have come crashing back to earth since their round one win, losing to Mitcham and just holding off a very young Lilydale under (dim) lights.
Of the four sides yet to register a win are there any that can click and burst into contention?
Lilydale and Upper Ferntree Gully seem to be in mini rebuilds, with Upper likely to surprise a few due to their top-end talent (see coach Tynan) and Bayswater look to be trying an on the go revolution, signing a number of young players as they look towards the future, without completely bottoming out, thanks to their elite midfield.
Wantirna South are the interesting ones.
The Devils on paper should be nowhere near 0-3, but alas here they are.
To be fair they’ve played three of the top four sides, but they’ve barely fired a shot.
James Krikas leads their goal kicking with three goals and their highest score is just 47.
If they gel together, they’ll be a tough side to play against, but if they don’t gel together soon they won’t be playing any later than August.
5. Jets Revival
Heathmont have burst back into the Division Two finals race with a massive victory on Friday Night over local rivals Ringwood.
In front of a massive crowd at H.E. Parker on Friday, the Jets grabbed their first win under new coach Nick Rutley – after a pair of decent efforts in Round One and Two – and have got the monkey off his back in 2021.
Ringwood kicked the first few goals of the game – making it almost 10 straight conceded by the Jets following their loss to South Belgrave – but through the good work of Fin Brown (three goals) and Ryan Burleigh (Best On Ground – 2nd time this year) the Jets managed to hold on as the weekend begun, as the two clubs put on a great spectacle.
This win will make up for the four points they gave away to a side they expected to beat on paper in Round One and will leave them in a good position to make up ground on the runaway leaders at the top as they settle into their work in 2021.
