ROUND 13 PREVIEW
Sandown V Cerberus (Edinburgh Reserve) - Friday Night
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Last time they met – R6, 12 May 2018, Cerberus 8.13 (61) def Sandown 5.10 (40).
Sandown host Cerberus in a standalone Friday night clash at Edinburgh Reserve to kick off Round 13. The Cobras are coming off a terrible mauling at the hands of Frankston last week and will be keen to put in a better showing for the big occasion on their home deck.
Unfortunately for them they will face an in-form Cerberus side who have now won seven of their past nine games to sit inside the top four. The Dogs have been the most improved side in the competition this season and are now starting to be recognised by many as serious finals contenders.
They will head into this clash as warm favourites but should be wary of the wounded Cobras who pushed the Dogs all the way in their previous encounter earlier in the season.
Michael Schwarz and Simon Vanderfeen have been instrumental in the Dogs resurgence and will once again be key players in this clash.
There hasn’t been too much to cheer about for Sandown this season but a Friday night clash on their home deck should lift the spirits of the battling club.
Despite his team’s struggles, James Tate has barely put a foot wrong but he will need all his teammates to come to the party if they are to inflict the Dogs third loss since Round 4.
Finals is well and truly on the cards for Cerberus and another win here will take them closer to securing a prized top four berth.
Cerberus by 40 points.
Lyndhurst V Dandenong (Marriott Waters Reserve)
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Last time they met – R6, 12 May 2018, Dandenong 9.9 (63) def by 10.17 (77).
Lyndhurst are powering along beautifully at the moment and have their attention firmly set on claiming top spot when they clash with Dandenong on Saturday.
Sitting on a winning streak of 10 games with an unblemished record at home this season, the Lightning will be hot favourites to add to their tally against the improved Redlegs.
Dandenong has showed solid form in their last month of football but they will be severely tested against one of the premier sides in the competition.
It is no secret that the Lightning’s game is built around their defensive structures, with the club holding opposition sides goalless in 16 quarters so far this season.
If Dandenong are to give themselves any chance at all they need to turn this contest in a low scoring scrap and hope that they can create enough chances in their forward half.
The club will take some confidence from their previous encounter earlier in the season where they pushed the Lightning all the way to the final siren, giving them a mighty scare in the process. The Redlegs have improved significantly since then but no one has found the formula to beat Lyndhurst on their home deck so far.
Dandenong simply must keep leading competition goal kicker Hamish Browning quiet otherwise they will be in for a tough day. Browning has had a fabulous season so far but it’s no secret that he is his team’s main source of scoring.
Even if the Redlegs do keep Browning quiet they then have the stiff task of breaking through the dogged Lightning defence.
The home side are slow starters so expect a fairly even contest in the early stages of this one before the Lightning power on.
Lyndhurst by 35 points.
Frankston Dolphins V Moorabbin Kangaroos (Overport Park)
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Last time they met – R6, 12 May 2018, Moorabbin 12.12 (84) def by Frankston 15.10 (100).
Frankston have Moorabbin in their sights after returning to some of their early season form following a huge win against Sandown last weekend.
The Dolphins had been battling somewhat before their whopping victory but now seemed to have turned the tide in their favour and will fancy themselves against the Kangaroos at home.
There are still a few areas of concern for Dolphins however, especially their terrible inaccuracy in front of goal which has plagued them on several occasions this season. They cannot afford to waste so many chances against the better sides in the competition, as this could prove the difference between a win and a loss.
Regan Hall has been a consistent performer for the home side all season and will be looking to put in another good performance here.
In the opposition corner, the Roos have lost eight of their last nine matches but put in a much better display on their home deck last round against a quality side in CPL. If they can sustain a similar effort for four quarters here they are certainly in with a shot.
Benjamin Lindsey has been one of the shining lights for the Kangas this season and if he can produce another stellar effort here it will go a long way to determining the Roos fate in this one.
Frankston on their home turf should be too good but if Moorabbin can show similar signs to last week it could be closer than many think.
Frankston Dolphins by 12 points.
Carrum Patterson Lakes V Lyndale (Roy Dore Reserve)
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Last time they met – R6, 12 May 2018, Lyndale 6.6 (42) def by Carrum Patterson Lakes 13.13 (91).
Lyndale’s battle to stay in touch with the top four will face a severe test this weekend when they face ladder leaders Carrum Patterson Lakes on their home deck this Saturday afternoon.
The inconsistent Pumas have stumbled significantly in the past fortnight and are now in serious danger of being three games out of the top four if other results go against them.
Lyndale’s inconsistency has been a major problem all season and is something that will need to be addressed if they are to make finals. They are the type of team that on their day that can suddenly click and devastate sides, it’s just a question of which side will show up.
The Pumas have several attacking weapons upfront that can cause plenty of damage but they have been well held in recent weeks and CPL’s defenders will present another tough task.
Trent Day, Trevor Kumetaitis and Shane Thomas have all kicked 20+ goals so far this season and all three will be required to fire to give the Pumas a chance here.