By Lincoln Edmunds
@LincolnEdmunds
ROUND 5 PREVIEW
Cerberus V Dandenong (McAuliffe Oval)
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The Dogs will head into this clash warm favourites after their upset win against Lyndale last weekend. Cerberus were magnificent against the Pumas and finally broke through for their first win of the season after putting up several encouraging displays in the weeks before. It marks their first win in senior football since 2011 and they have another great opportunity to add to their win tally when they face the winless Redlegs at home.
Dandenong have had a turbulent season thus far, being picked apart by some of the stronger teams whilst also being competitive at other times. They will be stinging coming off a six-point loss at the hands of the Cobras but a fresh opportunity against the Dogs awaits.
Cerberus have started to find a better path to goal recently and will be looking to maintain this trend going forwards. Aiden Lochert leads the club for the season with five majors, with the Dogs not relying on a sole player to get the job done. For the Redlegs David Barrie has been in good form and has racked up 11 goals in his four appearances. He looms as important player should Dandenong have any chance.
Coming off a gutsy win and playing at home, Cerberus should be a cut above the Redlegs if they get the game on their terms.
Cerberus by 26 points.
Carrum Patterson Lakes V Moorabbin Kangaroos (Roy Dore Reserve)
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The juggernaut that is CPL continues to roll on with a cracker of a victory against Frankston last round. The Lions are sitting atop of the ladder and remain the only undefeated team after the Roos capitulated in the second half to Lyndhurst last week. The Kangaroos have been particularly up and down throughout games this season and we will learn much more about where they are as a side come the end of Saturday.
The Lions have announced themselves as the team to beat so far, notching up wins against some quality teams in Frankston and Lyndhurst. Playing a good brand of team football, CPL’s array of goal kickers up forward leaves opposition teams with several headaches as there is no obvious target to stop.
Moorabbin have shown some signs of vulnerability but have been able to paper over the cracks with several wins. Both the coaching staff and playing group will know that they need to improve their consistency if they are able to compete with the better teams.
Facing Carrum Patter Lakes on their home turf is just about the most daunting task in the competition right now and Moorabbin will need to be firing on all cylinders if they are to match it with the best of the best.
Carrum Patterson Lakes by 20 points.
Frankston Dolphins V Sandown (Overport Park)
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Frankston play host to Sandown in a twilight clash that is sure to be a grand spectacle at Overport Park. Coming off a heartbreaking loss to CPL, the Dolphins will be looking to register their first win since Round 2 after a couple of narrow losses. However Sandown have just come off their first victory and will be full of confidence as they look to cause an upset.
Frankston have impressed many with their start to senior football but ultimately they sit at 2-2 and will be determined to put in a strong display. Luke Kirkland was a major talking point from the Dolphins game last weekend, with the dynamic veteran booting eight goals and launching himself at several contests. The Cobras will be extremely wary of the competitions leading goal kicker, so do not be surprised if he is guarded closely by more than one opponent at different stages of the game.
Sandown have shown that they are no pushovers all season and will no doubt crack in and take it up to the Dolphins. Shane Cosstick has been lively for the visitors with seven majors to his name in just two appearances, while Nathan Isles has been performing strongly.
Nonetheless, the Dolphins are too good to drop three on the trot and will rebound with a nice victory here.
Frankston Dolphins by 36 points
Lyndhurst V Lyndale (Marriott Waters Reserve)
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Lyndhurst have made a couple of statements in the last few rounds, accounting for both Frankston and Moorabbin in impressive displays of football. The Lightning now have a 3-1 record and are well placed sitting second on the ladder. Lyndale had a slight stumble last round as Cerberus ran over the top of them to snatch victory by the smallest possible margin. The Pumas will be hurting and should come out all guns blazing come the first bounce at 7pm.
The Lighting have fond memories of their previous night clash at home, where they knocked off Frankston in a tight affair. They will return to similar conditions in top form and full of confidence. They have shown how dangerous they are when switched on and are capable of scoring goals in a hurry, evident by their 13 goal second half last week. The Pumas will be wary not to let them get a run on early. Lyndhurst do not rely on one player either, with a good spread of contributors across the board demonstrating the team effort shown so far.
Lyndale has had a mixed season to this point, beating some of the weaker teams whilst stumbling against sides around their mark. They will be keen to claim a big scalp and what a better occasion than to do it against Lyndhurst on their home patch under lights. Trevor Kumetaitis will be the visitors’ main avenue to goal and a big bag will go a long way to matching it with the Lightning.
Lyndale will need to bring and sustain the heat throughout the match otherwise Lyndhurst will carry on with their winning ways.
Lyndhurst by 18 points