By EFNL Writers
With everyone off and running in 2021 the season is starting to take shape, even in the early early stages of the year.
Anzac Weekend shapes as a massive one for a number of clubs, as some look to finally get their season started and others look to solidify their end of year plans.
We’ve previewed nine key clashes from the weekend ahead – so grab your reading glasses and get the inside word.
Norwood v Balwyn
Arguably the biggest game of the round in Premier Division, with Balwyn showing they’ll be around the mark again in 2021 and Norwood keen to get a seat back at the big boys table.
The Tigers won both of their 2019 meetings by over 45 points, showcasing the gap that was between the two sides when they were last on the park.
The Wooders did what they had to do last weekend, led by goal kicking midfielder Blake Pearson.
Norwood actually had three less inside 50’s than the Saints, but what they did do was get the ball deeper into their forward 50, with 66% of their 56 inside 50’s (37) going deep, with 13 of them finding a target.
They scored 12.6(78) from these entries and 8.2(50) from those that were marked, showing that Pask’s men are playing the percentages when they can.
The men in purple will have to work a lot harder to get the ball where they want it this weekend though, with the Tigers set to bring another level of pressure.
The 2019 preliminary finalists had 64 pressure acts (32 more than Vermont) last weekend, with club stalwart Kris Pendlebury leading they way with seven, and laid 61 tackles (+11) thanks to Koolyn Briggs (7), Bowen Smith and Thomas Wilson (6).
Pressure acts bring turnovers and thats where the Tigers concentrated their scoring in Round One, kicking 6.4(40) from turnovers – almost half their score.
I tipped Norwood to be big movers in 2021 and if they want to live up to that status they have to win this game – and I’m going to tip them… just.
Matt Fotia
Norwood mean business in 2021. Photo – Field of View
Rowville v Berwick
Rowville will be playing their first game of the new season this week against Berwick.
The Hawks will be hoping to have minimal rust after such a long time away from the game, and they will be looking to take advantage of Berwick possibly feeling the effects of a bruising thriller last week.
Berwick will be looking to bounce back after a heart-breaking two-point defeat at the hands of new local rival Noble Park.
Travis Tuck was terrific last go-around, booting two goals and being named amongst the sides’ best on ground. Berwick will be hoping he can continue that type of form in order to avoid falling down 0-2 to start Season 2021 in their new digs.
As the new-comers to the Premier division, Berwick will not be expecting a warm welcome from anyone this season, least of all a Rowville team who just barely scraped into the finals last season, and who knows that every single win will count in 2021 given the expected evenness of the division.
A close one looms, but I think Berwick might be able to come away with their first win in EFNL history.
Mitch Turner
Montrose v Lilydale:
Montrose going up against Lilydale and it should be an interesting matchup with both teams coming off of a loss in Round Two and keen to grab four points early in the season.
The Demons heading into the match on the weekend after suffering a forty-nine-point loss to a resurgent Tigers side, which will surely impact the players in a manner that will assert a motivation and determination to knock off local rivals Lilydale.
However, the game won’t be so easy, as the Falcons will be looking to bounce back after a couple of losses to strong outfits in Park Orchards and Mooroolbark where the defensive structures they’re looking to learn under Brendan Fulton are still yet to be ingrained.
The Falcons had nine goals kicked against them in the second half in Round Two and if they want any chance this week, their effort must be consistent throughout the four quarters.
The Demons will head into this one as favourites, however, both of these teams will want to get their season going back in a positive direction.
Arian Odza
East Ringwood v Park Orchards
The first real test for Park Orchards looms tomorrow, as they travel to the pouch to take on fellow finals aspirant and undefeated side East Ringwood.
The Sharks have been impressive in the first fortnight, but have played two sides expected to really struggle in 2021 – Upper Ferntree Gully and Lilydale – and still have an element of the unknown about them.
They’ve been plagued by inaccuracy in the first two weekends, booting 31.38 in their pair of wins, and will be anxious to make sure they improve this against a side with a better chance of making them pay.
Andrejis Everitt’s debut will buoy Sharks fans though, with the ex Carlton and Western Bulldogs utility looking a class above down forward, offering Park Orchards an aerial threat with a bit of mobility.
Their opponents on the other hand are earning admirers every time the set foot on the park, with wins over Croydon and Wantirna South nothing to turn your nose up at.
They’ve found a goal kicker in Alexander McIntosh (7 in 2 games) and will be excited by the fact their star James Belo has yet to really fire a shot – albeit kicking four goals in two games – with his talent sure to come to the fore as the season progresses.
The Roos have conceded just 86 points in the opening two rounds, but have been the beneficiary of poor goal kicking, with that total coming from 10.26.
The question is – is that due to them only allowing the low percentage shots, or the inability of their opponents to capitalise?
I’m going the former and will tip the Roos to go 3-0.
Matt Fotia
East Ringwood have started the season on fire. Photo – Field of View
Mulgrave v Templestowe:
Both the Lions and Dockers remain winless after two rounds and are looking to get their season going and ensure the four points are secured with the hopes of moving up from the bottom of the ladder after a tough opening fortnight against some pretty impressive outfits.
The Lions have struggled to hit the scoreboard in 2021 and will have a major focus on getting some flow into their game against a less fancied opponent in the usually sound Dockers.
The Dockers will be looking to produce a more competitive effort after suffering a thrashing of 107 points in their match against The Basin after their round one loss to premiership favourites Ringwood.
The Dockers lost several of their best players over the preseason and therefore are struggling to implement their game style without the individuals that would enable it to prosper.
I expect this to be a low scoring match but think Mulgrave will have an edge with home ground advantage.
Arian Odza
South Belgrave v Boronia
Two red-hot teams will clash in this second division match-up in South Belgrave and Boronia.
South Belgrave, who haven’t lost a single game in close to 1000 days, will be coming off a stirring comeback in the 4th quarter against Heathmont.
The Saints found themselves 22-points behind at three quarter time after trailing the whole match but put together a seven goal to nil final term to steal the win from the young Jets.
Although the Saints will not be looking to re-create their performance in the first three quarters of Round Two, they’ll be counting on forwards Leigh Odermatt and Timothy Smith, who had nine goals between them, to continue their excellent play this weekend.
Boronia, on the other hand, had much less trouble taking care of Mulgrave on the weekend. A seven goal to one final term punctuated the dominant Hawks performance from start to finish.
The Hawks were brought home by spearhead Jarryd Rutherford, who found the goals on four occasions, while Jayden Collins received best on ground honours for the first time this season.
A tough one to pick, with South Belgrave finding no nerves/wobbles in a new division and they’ll be at home, but the Hawks have enough money in the bank to get my tip.
Mitch Turner
FairPark v Scoresby:
FairPark will take on the Magpies over the weekend with both teams striving to get their first win.
FairPark is currently sitting at the foot of the Division Three table after a pair of comfortable losses to Ferntree Gully and Whitehorse, and are looking for the opportunity to climb up the ladder, with no greater chance than against second last on the ladder, the Magpies.
The Lions will rely on Benjamin Dadswell and Mason Byrne to secure the four points as they have been consistent with the footy in both rounds so far.
However, Scoresby will be motivated, aiming to secure the first win of the season as the draw against Glen Waverley is still stinging and the performance against Waverley Blues reflected some uninspired football.
The match should be a nail biter with both teams hungry for their first win where the contests within the game should involve a high intensity.
The Magpies head into this as favourites, out with a sense of motivation following their poor showing last week.
Arian Odza
Warrandyte v Whitehorse Pioneers
Warrandyte showed no signs of rustiness last weekend, as they came out hot, blowing Ferntree Gully away on their home deck out at Wally Tew.
Luke Dunn and Quinn Clark were standouts going forward with three goals apiece and appearances in the best players, whilst new key forward – previously of Vermont and Upper Ferntree Gully – Ryan Phillips bobbed up with a double.
The Bloods were ranked the number three offence in 2019 and will be more than happy with their 100 plus total given it was against the second best defence of their last campaign in the Eagles, and will be hoping to continue their free-wheeling ways this weekend.
Their opponents, Whitehorse, will be hoping returning key forward Andrew Padbury can continue his red hot form having booted five majors in both of their opening two fixtures.
The Pioneers are one of few sides to have kicked more goals than behinds in 2021 (25.14) and have found 11 goal kickers across the opening two rounds, but crucially only Padbury seems to hold a significant threat as no other player has managed multiples in both games.
This shapes as a high scoring game, but the Bloods just have too much in the arsenal for the Pioneers.
Matt Fotia
Surrey Park v Silvan
Surrey Park put together a scintillating performance last round against Nunawading, slamming home 27 majors for the game, including no less than 10 in an astonishing third quarter to kickstart their much anticipated Division Four campaign.
Instrumental to their 140-point win was Mathew Pollock, who in his first game of the season had nine goals and was named as his teams’ second-best player of the match, right behind Callum Ternes, who the Panthers will be looking to for inspiration in this week’s match.
Silvan, on the other hand, were made to work for the four points against Forest Hill. It was an extremely close game the whole way through, with just one point separating the two teams at three quarter time.
Silvan eventually ran out 17-point victors, but Trent Martin will certainly be demanding better kicking in front of goal, as the Cats kicked 6.13 in the second half.
Nonetheless, Leigh Kimpton’s five goals and Ben Riley’s best on ground performance down back were enough to see the side home last week, and Silvan will hope to convert more of their opportunities this week against a hungry and determined Surrey Park side.
Another juicy one, with both sides destined for finals in 2021 it would seem. Panthers at home – just.
Mitch Turner
