Round 2 Preview
Wicks over Kew by 18 Pts (It has been a commonly held belief for the last decade, shut down the Mahony boys and you shut down Elsternwick. It was no surprise to see that neither Craig nor Brian featured last week and therefore the Wicks were comfortably accounted for. Kew will be looking to continue this poor start for the home side but can’t it happening at EP2)
Hoes over UHS by 6 Pts (There are at least four games I can see going either way and this is the first of them. Uni High are certainly a club on the up with links to Victoria University and Flemington Juniors in recent times, however, this is just the kind of game they have dropped over the years. Ivanhoe will make them accountable for every possession and might just have better conversion in front of the sticks if Holland continues to fire. Hoes just).
House over Westies by 24 Pts (All reports from Ross Gregory have been glowing in relation to Powerhouse’s performance last Saturday, but the fact remains is that they were jumped by Albert Park early and only hit top gear in the second half, due to Burnside’s dominance. The Magpies may not have beat much in the eyes of many, but that is grossly unfair on the Bears as Truslove’s men played with a confidence unseen for much of 2010. I give them an outside chance, but class should prevail).
Hawks over YV by 2 Pts (I defy anyone to split these two first round losers as we simply don’t know how good their opponents were. Based on this I can only split them by a whisker and will err on the side of caution and side with the home team. Toby “Leonard” Cohen to be amongst the Hawks best.
Falcons over the Rams by 3 Pts (See the review of the Hawks/Yarra Valley game. I simply have no idea in this one and will side with Albert Park. Both sides let leads slip last week. Anthony Lewis to continue his good form).
Blues over Gryphons by 12 Pts (Monash are going for 11 straight senior wins, but one thinks they will meet their Waterloo at Toorak Park. The Gryphs now have a second Mackie starring with Todd joining brother Clint at ECR, however, I think the likes of Josh Chapman and Jimmy Musster will prove too much. Will be an entertaining contest no doubt).
Round 2 Review
My tips were about as accurate as a Drew Morphett commentary. 2/6 for a cumulative total of 7/12, placing me amongst the weakest of the D3 forum. One can only improve…
No doubt that the most underrated team of the season so far has been West Brunswick. Two and zip and the big scalp of Powerhouse has the press salivating and stalwarts like Ocker Fyffe, glowing with pride. I recall Ocker telling me at the VAFA Dinner last month to expect a much improved Magpies, but I thought he like many others on that night was just wording his team up. Full credit to Damian Truslove and his coaching panel for having his chargers ‘purring’. The other big winners last round were The Bushrangers, who easily accounted for a most disappointing Hawks and The Four Blues who gave Monash a football lesson in the premiership quarter at Toorak Park. Uni High won a close one away at Ivanhoe that will leave Leigh Cole and many others at The Boulevard feeling like they let one slip. Truth is the boys from the Zoo were never in trouble with Lachlan Habel playing a blinder. The Bears won well at little Elsternwick, but one feels it could be a long season for the black and reds unless there is a dramatic turnaround in skill acquisition. The Falcons did what most expected to the Rams who are finding the jump in class a bit trying thus far…
Round 3 Preview
Prahran over Hawks by 61 Pts (We are only at the end of April, but Betfair has installed The Blues as clear Premiership Favourites. What has really impressed the scribes has been the evenness of the Prahran squad, few superstars and many avenues to goal. Add to the mix a relentless work ethic and a well structured game plan and you have a professional unit indeed. Unfortunately, Hawthorn has shown few of these traits and will be beaten comfortably. Leigh Northway to be best afield).
Gryphs over Falcons by 16 Pts (Monash would not want to have a third quarter lapse again this week as Albert Park are a fair team that will test them all the way with the likes of James Brick and Dylan Muscat in full flight. However, Monash are always tough to beat at home and should salute in a fiery contest between two old rivals. Dan Baxter to star for the home side).
Wicks over Rams by 14 Pts (Panic stations at Elsternwick if they drop this one, so one has to select them, but their form has been so disappointing in 2011 you cannot pick them with any confidence. The Wicks will look to old stalwarts like Craig or Brian Mahony for inspiration, but will have to be careful as Mt Lilydale are capable of some pretty inspiring football themselves when Justin Roberts and Tommy Wall fire. Will give the Wicks one last chance before I write them off).
Westies over UHS by 3 Pts (The Battle of Royal Park is perhaps the most famous derby in the lower sections of the VAFA and this year has the added flavour of being a battle between co-tenants. These two near neighbours have not always been the best of friends on the field and I expect there to be no love lost. There may be some that are surprised by this selection, as I tipped UHS to come 2nd this year, but if Robert Henham can continue his stellar form, I reckon the parochial McAlister faithful can do enough to get the Magpies over the line).
The House over the Hoes by 33 Pts (I expect Powerhouse to bounce back in fine fashion at home on Saturday as Ivanhoe’s form has been okay, but hardly spectacular. Burnside will give the House first use of the ball and I doubt anyone will be able to quell the influence of big Paul Edwards in front of the sticks. Powerhouse easily).
Yarra Valley over Kew by 11 Pts (I predict the Bushrangers will be the only away winner of round 3, but, by the same token, I would not be surprised to see an upset. Michael Ross is in great early season form and skipper Aaron Carman is an inspirational leader who will make it tough for the visitors. However, half of the Yarra Valley boys found the scoresheet last round and this evenness should see them get the points.
Good luck to all
Quasi
Wicks over Kew by 18 Pts (It has been a commonly held belief for the last decade, shut down the Mahony boys and you shut down Elsternwick. It was no surprise to see that neither Craig nor Brian featured last week and therefore the Wicks were comfortably accounted for. Kew will be looking to continue this poor start for the home side but can’t it happening at EP2)
Hoes over UHS by 6 Pts (There are at least four games I can see going either way and this is the first of them. Uni High are certainly a club on the up with links to Victoria University and Flemington Juniors in recent times, however, this is just the kind of game they have dropped over the years. Ivanhoe will make them accountable for every possession and might just have better conversion in front of the sticks if Holland continues to fire. Hoes just).
House over Westies by 24 Pts (All reports from Ross Gregory have been glowing in relation to Powerhouse’s performance last Saturday, but the fact remains is that they were jumped by Albert Park early and only hit top gear in the second half, due to Burnside’s dominance. The Magpies may not have beat much in the eyes of many, but that is grossly unfair on the Bears as Truslove’s men played with a confidence unseen for much of 2010. I give them an outside chance, but class should prevail).
Hawks over YV by 2 Pts (I defy anyone to split these two first round losers as we simply don’t know how good their opponents were. Based on this I can only split them by a whisker and will err on the side of caution and side with the home team. Toby “Leonard” Cohen to be amongst the Hawks best.
Falcons over the Rams by 3 Pts (See the review of the Hawks/Yarra Valley game. I simply have no idea in this one and will side with Albert Park. Both sides let leads slip last week. Anthony Lewis to continue his good form).
Blues over Gryphons by 12 Pts (Monash are going for 11 straight senior wins, but one thinks they will meet their Waterloo at Toorak Park. The Gryphs now have a second Mackie starring with Todd joining brother Clint at ECR, however, I think the likes of Josh Chapman and Jimmy Musster will prove too much. Will be an entertaining contest no doubt).
Round 2 Review
My tips were about as accurate as a Drew Morphett commentary. 2/6 for a cumulative total of 7/12, placing me amongst the weakest of the D3 forum. One can only improve…
No doubt that the most underrated team of the season so far has been West Brunswick. Two and zip and the big scalp of Powerhouse has the press salivating and stalwarts like Ocker Fyffe, glowing with pride. I recall Ocker telling me at the VAFA Dinner last month to expect a much improved Magpies, but I thought he like many others on that night was just wording his team up. Full credit to Damian Truslove and his coaching panel for having his chargers ‘purring’. The other big winners last round were The Bushrangers, who easily accounted for a most disappointing Hawks and The Four Blues who gave Monash a football lesson in the premiership quarter at Toorak Park. Uni High won a close one away at Ivanhoe that will leave Leigh Cole and many others at The Boulevard feeling like they let one slip. Truth is the boys from the Zoo were never in trouble with Lachlan Habel playing a blinder. The Bears won well at little Elsternwick, but one feels it could be a long season for the black and reds unless there is a dramatic turnaround in skill acquisition. The Falcons did what most expected to the Rams who are finding the jump in class a bit trying thus far…
Round 3 Preview
Prahran over Hawks by 61 Pts (We are only at the end of April, but Betfair has installed The Blues as clear Premiership Favourites. What has really impressed the scribes has been the evenness of the Prahran squad, few superstars and many avenues to goal. Add to the mix a relentless work ethic and a well structured game plan and you have a professional unit indeed. Unfortunately, Hawthorn has shown few of these traits and will be beaten comfortably. Leigh Northway to be best afield).
Gryphs over Falcons by 16 Pts (Monash would not want to have a third quarter lapse again this week as Albert Park are a fair team that will test them all the way with the likes of James Brick and Dylan Muscat in full flight. However, Monash are always tough to beat at home and should salute in a fiery contest between two old rivals. Dan Baxter to star for the home side).
Wicks over Rams by 14 Pts (Panic stations at Elsternwick if they drop this one, so one has to select them, but their form has been so disappointing in 2011 you cannot pick them with any confidence. The Wicks will look to old stalwarts like Craig or Brian Mahony for inspiration, but will have to be careful as Mt Lilydale are capable of some pretty inspiring football themselves when Justin Roberts and Tommy Wall fire. Will give the Wicks one last chance before I write them off).
Westies over UHS by 3 Pts (The Battle of Royal Park is perhaps the most famous derby in the lower sections of the VAFA and this year has the added flavour of being a battle between co-tenants. These two near neighbours have not always been the best of friends on the field and I expect there to be no love lost. There may be some that are surprised by this selection, as I tipped UHS to come 2nd this year, but if Robert Henham can continue his stellar form, I reckon the parochial McAlister faithful can do enough to get the Magpies over the line).
The House over the Hoes by 33 Pts (I expect Powerhouse to bounce back in fine fashion at home on Saturday as Ivanhoe’s form has been okay, but hardly spectacular. Burnside will give the House first use of the ball and I doubt anyone will be able to quell the influence of big Paul Edwards in front of the sticks. Powerhouse easily).
Yarra Valley over Kew by 11 Pts (I predict the Bushrangers will be the only away winner of round 3, but, by the same token, I would not be surprised to see an upset. Michael Ross is in great early season form and skipper Aaron Carman is an inspirational leader who will make it tough for the visitors. However, half of the Yarra Valley boys found the scoresheet last round and this evenness should see them get the points.
Good luck to all
Quasi
