By: Matt Fotia
Twitter: @FotiaMatt
We’re really moving now in season 2018 as the ladders begin to take shape and we get a good read on sides. So here’s five things we learnt from the weekend’s action…
Delightful Doggies, worrying Wooders
South Croydon showcased exactly why it continues to hit the scoreboard with vigour in 2018 on the weekend out at Cheong Park in its big win over Norwood.
Only Vermont has scored more points than the reigning premiers at this point of the year.
Speed off half-back headlined by Dylan Marshall and Dale Walker, a composed and clean midfield group of Daniel King, Matt Jones and Liam Cox, and tall targets of Tucker, Max King and Birch who at bare minimum bring it to ground for the high pressure forwards of Patrick Rosier, Michael King and co. If you fancy some free flowing football grab your season ticket to the Kennel.
On the other hand, Norwood trotted out another listless performance. Expected to fire after last week’s lesson from Vermont, Norwood continued to be the opposite of its opponents.
Slow build-up from half-back with the exception of Nelson Lane, indecision aplenty, and despite his undoubted star power, maybe too Williams-centric.
The Norsemen may need to push Williams higher up the ground in a Nick Riewoldt/Matthew Richardson role working back towards goal from the wing, increasing his influence. Patrick Bowden also has to figure out how to get the best out of Jamie Bennell, whose elite skills are rendered useless if he doesn’t get the ball.
The leaders break away from the peloton in Division 2
Lilydale and Doncaster East sent a resounding message to the competition in the first half of the split round.
The undefeated Falcons passed their biggest test with a six-point win away from home against an in-form Devils.
The Falcons weren’t at full strength either with co-captain Lochie Wilson missing. His replacement Douglas Wooton finished the best Falcon.
They go 5-0 and only a vibrant Doncaster East side (who beat Croydon off the back of Steven’s nine goals) and Upper Gully (presuming the Kings win against Mulgrave) will be in touch.
Should results go to plan, we’ll have Lilydale, Doncaster East and Upper Gully breaking away from the three sides at 3-2 and Mooroolbark at 2-3.
It might only be Round 5 but we’ve already got sides that just can’t afford any more losses.
One spot up for grabs in Division 3
Let’s lock in the top four in Division 3. There seems to be a fair difference between the best football of the top four sides (Boronia, Ringwood, Scoresby and Heathmont) and the rest of the competition.
The final spot in the five could be anyone’s, however.
Ferntree Gully seemed the early front-runner but it has been pretty poor in recent weeks.
Warrandyte is on a roll with back-to-back wins (young recruit Jordan Powell grabbing another best-on-ground performance).
The Basin has shown its best footy is good enough to mix it but can’t seem to hold it for four quarters, whilst Templestowe and Donvale are just going along.
Seems we’ve got a couple of mini divisions within the division. The top four battling it out for a double chance, the next final five fighting it out for the last finals spot.
Cougars under pressure
Fairpark and Forest Hill won games they were expected to, and therefore improved and steadied their seasons respectively off the back of big bags from Michael Cardamone who kicked seven against his old side, and the Lions’ James Gough continued his fine form making it 11 goals in the last two weeks.
But for me, it’s Kilsyth who has been affected the most from the weekend. Another five-goal loss to a fellow finals aspirant leaves it in a difficult spot.
Expected by many to be a big improver in the division this year, the Cougars have to improve next week against East Burwood. They don’t necessarily have to win, but they do need to show that they can compete with the top sides this season.
Jake Hammond and Burners starting to click.
The Blackburn spearhead has returned looking leaner and meaner after a big pre-season with the big boys; North Melbourne’s VFL outfit.
Hammond’s improved mobility and fitness have aided his influence around the ground without influencing his ability to hit the scoreboard.
He’s snagged 17 goals this year with 14 in the past fortnight along with four appearances in the best thus far.
The Burners themselves may have finally found a gear at half-time last week as well. Since the main break against the reigning premier in Round 4, Blackburn has kicked 29 goals to 14 and beat a fancied North Ringwood pretty easily. The Burners have a big clash next week against Balwyn that could really set their season alight.
All views expressed in this article remain those of the author and not the Eastern Football League or its affiliated clubs.
