2012 season preview
The wait is nearly over, and finally the trash talking can stop and bragging rights (at least in the short term) can be gained. As the proverb states, “absence make the heart grow fonder”, and this is always true come the week leading up to the ‘real’ football season starting. The six or seven month wait is over for all clubs and supporters and as of next week, we can finally begin analysing premiership matches.
Johnny has been patiently awaiting my column all summer and I trust I will please some and disappoint others with my views. The season preview wouldn’t be complete without a predicted ladder and after consulting last year’s form, pre-season murmurings and form in practice matches, I see the order come late August resembling something like this:
1, Therry Penola (One of the best in D2 in 2012 and have great depth)
2. Prahran-Assumption (Were unbeatable in D3 and have a winning culture)
3. Old Paradians (Will appreciate the drop in class and under Boundy will take some beating)
4. Emmaus/St Leos (Ash Duncan reportedly has them ‘purring’)
5. Latrobe Uni (Will be tough to beat at Bundoora, but just fall short)
6. Bulleen Templestowe (2011 was a season they’d rather forget. Serious re-build in process)
7. Monash Gryphons (Have a strong and passionate culture, but may find this grade too hard)
8. Sth Districts (Will win enough games in their centenary to just miss relegation)
9. Eltham Collegians (Depth issues to plague new coach Sutherland. The big descenders)
10. St Mary’s/Salesian (Any of the bottom 4 could be relegated, but I pick the boys from Glen Iris)
I will qualify this by stating that I suspect there will be 3 distinct groups this season:
Top 3 – Almost unbeatable around 15-16 wins each
4—6 – Evenly matched mediocre teams (% the key to finals)
7-10 – No easy beats (will win about 5 games each and once again % will be all important)
Round 1 Preview
Gryphs over South by 11 Pts (Many visiting teams unfamiliar with East Caulfield Reserve will find the oddly shaped ground difficult to master. Monash to be a little bit smarter in the clinches and get the four points that may prove all the difference in the world come August. Harry Madden to be prominent for the victors).
Old Paradians over SMS by 65 Pts (This is the sort of game that could propel The Saints’ percentage into the doldrums for the season. The combine will throw everything at the home team but will be completely outclassed in the end).
Therry over Emmaus by 47 Pts (Ditto the Parade fixture, I cannot see this going either way, even if I believe Duncan’s men are set for a good season, I doubt anyone will beat the Penola boys at Fawkner in 2012).
Trobers over Turtles by 26 Pts (Many are selecting this as one of the tougher games to pick for the opening round, but I feel that Latrobe will show a far superior skill level and look more threatening when moving forward. Any Alan Sutherland coached team will certainly make them earn it though. Could be tight contest for three quarters).
Prahran over Bulleen by 10 Pts (This one rightly deserves the match of the day billing as the four blues unfurl their Premiership flag of 2011. No doubt Bulleen will fancy their chances and look to spoil the party, but Prahran know how to win the close ones and will do enough whilst perhaps not achieving their best structures).
Good luck to all
Quasi
The wait is nearly over, and finally the trash talking can stop and bragging rights (at least in the short term) can be gained. As the proverb states, “absence make the heart grow fonder”, and this is always true come the week leading up to the ‘real’ football season starting. The six or seven month wait is over for all clubs and supporters and as of next week, we can finally begin analysing premiership matches.
Johnny has been patiently awaiting my column all summer and I trust I will please some and disappoint others with my views. The season preview wouldn’t be complete without a predicted ladder and after consulting last year’s form, pre-season murmurings and form in practice matches, I see the order come late August resembling something like this:
1, Therry Penola (One of the best in D2 in 2012 and have great depth)
2. Prahran-Assumption (Were unbeatable in D3 and have a winning culture)
3. Old Paradians (Will appreciate the drop in class and under Boundy will take some beating)
4. Emmaus/St Leos (Ash Duncan reportedly has them ‘purring’)
5. Latrobe Uni (Will be tough to beat at Bundoora, but just fall short)
6. Bulleen Templestowe (2011 was a season they’d rather forget. Serious re-build in process)
7. Monash Gryphons (Have a strong and passionate culture, but may find this grade too hard)
8. Sth Districts (Will win enough games in their centenary to just miss relegation)
9. Eltham Collegians (Depth issues to plague new coach Sutherland. The big descenders)
10. St Mary’s/Salesian (Any of the bottom 4 could be relegated, but I pick the boys from Glen Iris)
I will qualify this by stating that I suspect there will be 3 distinct groups this season:
Top 3 – Almost unbeatable around 15-16 wins each
4—6 – Evenly matched mediocre teams (% the key to finals)
7-10 – No easy beats (will win about 5 games each and once again % will be all important)
Round 1 Preview
Gryphs over South by 11 Pts (Many visiting teams unfamiliar with East Caulfield Reserve will find the oddly shaped ground difficult to master. Monash to be a little bit smarter in the clinches and get the four points that may prove all the difference in the world come August. Harry Madden to be prominent for the victors).
Old Paradians over SMS by 65 Pts (This is the sort of game that could propel The Saints’ percentage into the doldrums for the season. The combine will throw everything at the home team but will be completely outclassed in the end).
Therry over Emmaus by 47 Pts (Ditto the Parade fixture, I cannot see this going either way, even if I believe Duncan’s men are set for a good season, I doubt anyone will beat the Penola boys at Fawkner in 2012).
Trobers over Turtles by 26 Pts (Many are selecting this as one of the tougher games to pick for the opening round, but I feel that Latrobe will show a far superior skill level and look more threatening when moving forward. Any Alan Sutherland coached team will certainly make them earn it though. Could be tight contest for three quarters).
Prahran over Bulleen by 10 Pts (This one rightly deserves the match of the day billing as the four blues unfurl their Premiership flag of 2011. No doubt Bulleen will fancy their chances and look to spoil the party, but Prahran know how to win the close ones and will do enough whilst perhaps not achieving their best structures).
Good luck to all
Quasi
