By DAVID NAGEL
REIGNING premier Narre Warren confirmed its rating as the team to beat and Beaconsfield and Pakenham look likely improvers after the conclusion of round one in Casey Cardinia football on the weekend.
The Magpies unfurled their 2012 premiership flag, and it fluttered like the Narre supporter’s hearts as the home side went on a 10-goal second quarter rampage on its way to a 45-point win over Cranbourne at Fox Road on Sunday.
Runners like Jackson Parker, Josh Tonna, Chris Lee and Col McNamara were superb feeding the Baskaya brothers, Kerem (5 goals) and Kain (3), while ruck-recruit Dan Harders gave his mid-field an armchair ride.
Cranbourne sharp-shooter Marc Holt showed he’s in for another bumper year with eight goals from limited opportunities, while Stu Morrish, Nick Barker and Andrew Driscoll did well to stem a steady stream of Magpie attacks.
“There still plenty of improvement there,” Magpie coach Chris Toner said.
“We’re fully aware that Cranbourne had a few out today and we’ll need to play better when they’ve got their full side on the park. They’re an exceptional side, they never give up, but we’re at least on a level playing field now.”
Pakenham proved there’s substance behind the talk that it will be a big improver this season with a comfortable 61-point win over Keysborough at Toomuc Reserve.
The Lions still lack a key target up forward but, they worked around that fact, with 11 goal-kickers contributing to a 14-goal score-line. The Lions have really bolstered their midfield with new-coach Steve O’Bryan, Damien Holmes and the returning John Atwell and Beau Wheeler giving the Lions a more resilient look. Corey Lenders was best for the winners while Dean Gentle took the same title for the Burra.
A huge crowd turned out at Beaconsfield’s magnificent new Holm Park Road facility to watch the Eagles win the Battle of the Creek against arch-rivals Berwick by 50 points on Saturday.
The home side rode a wave of emotion to a 39-point lead at quarter time and, despite a lapse in the second quarter, looked impressive as they ran away with things in the second half.
Last year’s All-Australian ruckman, Scott Meyer, was the standout player on the ground as he gave the Eagles mid-field first use of the ball. Recruits Ryan Cotter, Ethan Clasby and Ben Kerrigan joined youngsters Tom Dovaston and Mitch Dyer in giving the Eagles centre-line a fresh new look this season.
Michael McPhie was a key figure up forward with five goals while Troy McDermott (4) and Damien Johnston (3) were creative at ground level.
“Yeah, I’m very proud of the boys right now,” Eagles coach Clint Evans said after the game.
“It’s been a massive week for the club and to win against the arch-rival makes it that little bit more special. Our pressure around the stoppages was fantastic and we looked quicker because we gave the first option. Players run with confidence when they know their effort will be rewarded.”
Tooradin overcame a four-goal, deficit mid-way through the third quarter, to over-run ROC by 20 points at the Tooradin Recreational Reserve.
The Seagulls led a scrappy affair by 13 points at half-time before the Kangaroos came out with a spring in their step after the break. Six unanswered goals, triggered by the clever and elusive Ryan Hendy (4 goals), had the season’s first real upset on the cards.
The Seagulls then showed all the signs of a top team as they settled, kicking eight of the last 10 goals of the match. Julian Suarez kicked four for the winners while Matt Wade, Ryan Eaton, Brett Scarcella and James Cottrell all mad solid contributions.
