FIRST CYCLE ENDS TODAY
By Louie Bulzomi
Come Mother’s Day, Round 5 of Millewa footy will be done and dusted, everyone will have played each other once, and the ladder will start to take shape.
Bambill and Gol Gol, regulars up top for many seasons, sit third and fourth respectively with two wins apiece. Their encounter at Carramar Drive should determine who will be better placed to challenge for the double chance later in the season.
The Saints have yet to field their best 22, but with the successful returns of Luke Hubble and Steve Sellens last week, they’re the strongest they’ve been since the 2011 Grand Final. Together with the fine form of Luke Stanbrook and Michael Hickey up forward, Ryan McClelland in the ruck and Jarratt Farley across half-back, they’re beginning to rise.
Many of the new Hawks players have proven their worthiness – David Gray, Tony Albert and Clint Burdett have featured prominently in the best six, and Sonny Lindsay is 12 goals ahead of anyone else in the goalkicking. Given the disappointment of doing all but defeating Werrimull last week, they will be eager to go a step further and take the points at home.
It should be close, but the Hawks are just ahead in team settlement at this stage and should be favourites.
A first versus last contest normally doesn’t promote itself as something to look forward to, but Werrimull travelling to face Nangiloc is an exception.
The Demons have been better than what a 0-4 return suggests, with crucial 10-15 minute fadeouts in either the third or fourth quarters in matches to date costing them dearly. Cameron Peters continues to maintain a high standard, Ben Mansell and Jared Turvey have played well, and Ben Crosbie has been an excellent acquisition with his diversification of abilities.
But the Magpies have been a cut above the rest thus far. Oppositions have been near powerless to stop Ben and Mark Duscher, forwards have succumbed to the close checking of Michael Harradine, and their midfield pool (led magnificently by Paul Jenkins, Ryan Tierney and Graeme Mentiplay) is seemingly deeper than any side.
Nangiloc are a stronger outfit at home, but Werrimull should be able to continue their unbeaten run.
Euston, despite being second with a 3-1 record, need wins on the road to show their credibility as a contender. A win over Cardross at Henshilwood Oval would be a great start.
The Bombers’ spread of contributors is unquestionable – if Ian Mennie needs help, Toby Quirk-Meeks and Linden Duryea provide it. If Phil Connell needs a spell, Zane Hammet can relieve. If Joseph Denaro, Josh Healy and Daniel Rogers are being held, Bryce Denaro, Peter Marciano and Harlan Pettit take over. Along with Anthony McMahon and Cleon Hannah holding the fort in the backline, the Lions are in for a tough afternoon.
But Cardross also contain a bevy of players who can do likewise for Euston – the ruckwork of Jake Zoch has been exceptional, the efforts of Tom Wallace, Andrew Ferguson, Michael Laird and Scott Richards have been top-class, Ben Ransome (when he’s not getting sent off) is hard to match up on, and Darren McCarthy and Mark East can kick plenty of goals if defenders don’t give them proper respect.
If Cardross can maintain their cool for four quarters, they should be able to shoot the Bombers down. But Euston have a huge point to prove (aforementioned earlier), which gives them the slight edge.
Last Modified on 10/05/2012 20:30