By Lincoln Edmunds
@LincolnEdmunds
ROUND 6 PREVIEW
Cerberus V Sandown (McAuliffe Oval)
V
Cerberus are coming off back to back wins and are suddenly pushing for a top four spot after a few sides around them stumbled last weekend. On home turf once again, they face Sandown who are coming off a 104-point drubbing at the hands of the Dolphins. The Dogs will be a great chance to notch up their third win a row but facing the Cobras could potentially be a danger game.
Cerberus have returned tallies of 16 and 11 majors in the past fortnight, a vast improvement in scoring from the opening three rounds. Last weekend was also the first time that the Dogs have clocked up three figures for the season, finishing with 112 points. If the Dogs forward line continues to click, expect them to be a dangerous side to face for the remainder of the season.
The Cobras were brought back down to earth last week after a heavy defeat following their first win the week before. Sandown’s final score read 3.12, with the Cobras spraying their opportunities in front of goal. Straightening up their goal kicking this weekend will be high on the agenda as they need to convert their chances if they are to challenge the Dogs on their turf.
Bradley Thorpe has been playing some solid footy for the home side and Shannon Schonewille will be looking to back up his good performance from last week. Sandown’s Shane Cosstick continues to find the goals despite the limited supply along with Bradley Reiner who has been a consistent performer all season. Both will need to be at their best for the Cobras to take up the fight.
The Dogs form makes them hard to look past here and on their home deck they will be warm favourites to bank the four premiership points.
Cerberus by 28 points
Dandenong V Lyndhurst (Greaves Reserve)
V
The winless Redlegs will be up against it when they host the second placed Lightning on Saturday afternoon at Greaves Reserve. Lyndhurst are 4-1 with a healthy percentage, their only loss coming against ladder leaders CPL. The Lightning’s strong defensive game has seen them concede just 230 points across the first five rounds, as they continue to strangle the oppositions ball movement and forward structure.
In contrast the Redlegs are the worst defensive team in the league surrendering 558 points against, an average of 111.6 points a game, with some heavy defeats coming their way as consequence. Their vulnerability when opposition teams have a run on has also been evident, with several teams stacking on quick goals in a short period of time. The Lightning are certainly one team who can capitalise on this and Dandenong would be very careful to avoid similar fade outs.
Lyndhurst’s Hamish Browning will be sure to attract plenty of attention from the Dandenong defenders after he slotted four goals last week. Palingu Lokupathirage has also featured in the Lightning’s best in the past two weeks, playing an important role for the team.
For the Redlegs, David Barrie and Jayke Hopkins have been consistent contributors and will be in the thick of things once again come Saturday.
This is a mismatch on paper and Lyndhurst will be far too strong here.
Lyndhurst by 50 points
Moorabbin Kangaroos V Frankston Dolphins (Widdop Crescent Reserve)
V
Moorabbin will be out to avenge last week’s abysmal showing when they take on third placed Frankston at Widdop Crescent Reserve. The Kangaroos turned in a truly insipid performance against Carrum Patterson Lakes, registering a paltry 0.6 for the entire game.
Whilst many didn’t have the Roos pushing for a win, the manner in which they were blown away will leave the coaches with some serious concern. The Dolphins, who were just pipped by CPL when they clashed, will be just as tough an assignment for the home side and the Roos will need to be switched on to avoid another blowout.
Moorabbin’s 3-0 start to the season seems a very long time ago now, with back to back heavy defeats to two of the better sides exposing the Kangaroos with a reality check. The one positive they can take from last week’s performance is that they’ll never put in a worse display than that again this season. Expect all 22 players to lift immensely this weekend.
In the other camp, Frankston snapped a two game losing streak when they pumped Sandown by 104 points at home. The Dolphins are extremely dangerous in attack with the best offense in the competition, chalking up 505 points thus far. Luke Kirkland has been central to Frankston’s scoring firepower, kicking bags of eight and nine goals in his past two games. If he gets off the chain once again then look out, this could get ugly!
Moorabbin need to respond here and show some heart after a tough fortnight. Frankston are a quality side however and should prevail here.
Frankston Dolphins by 38 points.
Lyndale V Carrum Patterson Lakes (Barry Powell Reserve)
V
Lyndale plays host to ladder leaders Carrum Patterson Lakes under lights at Barry Powell Reserve on Saturday night. CPL’s undefeated streak continued in empathic fashion last weekend, holding Moorabbin goalless while slamming on 23 of their own. The Lions are the standout team of the competition at the moment and have a healthy percentage of 225.71% to sit comfortably on top of the ladder.
The Pumas currently sit at 2-3 but still find themselves in fifth place. A win here could potentially see them jump into the top four, as their percentage is far superior to Moorabbin’s who currently occupy fourth spot. With massive stakes on the line, Lyndale should be full of energy in their quest to cause an upset.
The Lions have seen off several challengers this season and are humming nicely. The team is full of hunger and will be looking to sustain that appetite for success during the remainder of the season. In a team full of star power and contributors, Brenton Rafferty has consistently hit the scoreboard whilst Tyler Neal also chipped in around goal.
Lyndale have a few weapons of their own however, with Trevor Kumetaitis and Shane Thomas both featuring in the top four in the league’s leading goal kickers. CPL’s dogged defence will provide a difficult assignment for the pair who need to fire if the Pumas have any chance.
This could actually be a danger game for the Lions who coming off a big win and seem to be cruising. With massive ramifications on the line for the home side, expect Lyndale to give this one a red hot crack!
Carrum Patterson Lakes by 22 points
