I will have a crack at changing the subject.
Big improves Lancefield and Wallan. Big game this week winner will be a big chance of finals footy.
I am surprised how well Rupo and sunbury are going, all the talk before the season was they have lost heaps of players, and will struggle this year. However both are going very well. Rupo been very close in all games as have sunbury. Both young sides, wet winter may take toll on young bodies but they r doing better than many expected at this stage.
Broadford the biggest surprise to me at this stage, got a gun coach in, lots of experienced players on their list and they r yet to win a game. To make finals they will need to win 10 out of the next 12. Tough ask with their draw.
Romsey can't see them making it, new committee building for the future.
Riddell always there abouts can never right them off, on the third line of betting behind...
Diggers the ones to beat. (If they don't beat themselves)
And
Macedon keep,winning but not as impressive as I thought they would be.
Woodend and Melton some good performances but lack depth.
Woodend in particular doing the right thing working hard to get locals back to the club which MUST be the way to go.
Nice post. Agree with everyone that there are too many pot shots on here. New accounts turning up just to attack a handful of clubs.
My take on the season so far
Macedon/Diggers- both 4-0 but just going really and just doing enough. Macedon have an excellent draw and have started well and I think have a couple of players to add to the mix. Really need Fitzpatrick up and running and out of injury. Diggers such an even side with good depth and as always will be right up there. Importantly both teams have been sneaking a few kids in too. Toby Sims at Macedon is one to watch.
Sunbury- 3-1 and a surprise packet for mine. Probably should have seen it coming. Well coached and did well to keep most of their players. Solid back 6 with Wallace, Gregory, Leonard and Baumgartner. Importantly they have a nice point of difference to some sides with good leg speed through their small brigade. Not relying on anyone in particular and seem to be buying in. Will be extremely hard to beat at home which makes them almost a top 4 certainty from here. Had they not been stripped of 4 points you could probably mark it down now.
Riddell- 2-2 Hard side to read at this stage. Have blown a couple of sides off the park and been beaten by two of the better sides. Missed Brayden Allen on the weekend who is in their top 2 most important players and the best ruck in the comp. Seemed to recruit heavily this off season bringing in Nelson, Said and Treweek from Sunbury, two former team of the year defenders from Gisborne and a league medalist from Gisborne in the Walsh brothers and Sonogon. Finished top last season so you would expect 2-2 to be disappointing for them but could be 4-0. Did start slowly last year as well though. Have a string of games against lower teams now to get their game together.
Rupo- 2-2 but could be 4-0 with a bit of luck really. Went down in the last few minutes to Sunbury off a 5 day break and were the better side for 3 qtrs against Macedon. Copped some criticism from people including me about their recruiting but Burlak kicked 4 on the weekend and Sullivan has complimented their other mids nicely. Chambers injury free is huge for Rupo as he gives them top end quality. Egan a very underrated full back who will shut down most key forwards.
Broadford- Have been smashed by injuries. Once they hit some of the lower sides will start to string some wins together. Smith, Wearne, Holland, Mihocek, Svarc, Viani, Picione have all missed games so far which is hard to cover. Personally I think they will still make the 6 and are more than capable of beating some sides once they get there. Still building fitness too which is an important factor for them.
Wallan- Recruited fairly heavily and some have been very handy pick ups. Think they probably recruited too many fringe EDFL types who won't cut it against the top 6 teams. Some of them are probably not up to the standard against the better sides. Watch out for Stewart one of the few Craigieburn players they recruited who has the potential to be a top liner. On the improve in general and a chance to sneak into the 6. Will beat most of the bottom sides because they have a genuine key forward in Rexhepi.
Lancefield- Going to be around the 6th-8th position. Have some top line talent in Kent which helps and they have lots of honest triers. Might be the best chance of taking a top team down out of the bottom sides.
The rest are probably making up the numbers in terms of top 6 chances but an important year for some to build and move forward. Centrals and Woodend have definitely improved their lists. Woodend were really impressive on the weekend just didn't really know how to win. Shocking miss by Hepburn could have almost sealed the game. Rebuilding year for Rockbank and Romsey at this stage.