By Justin Schwarze
Pakenham’s venture into the unknown becomes even more uncertain this week as the Lions head to Alexandra with almost zero idea of how the Rebels play football.
Alexandra has only played one game on the year, going down to an extremely strong Seville side by 44 points on the road.
The Rebels finished fifth in 2024, with the only piece of intel being the capability and danger of William Stewart as a forward.
Stewart booted 50 goals last year and recorded a haul of four in Alexandra’s first game this season.
It will be a very good litmus test for the Pakenham backline, which generated a lot of spectacular transition and forward drive against Powelltown.
The Lions had 10 individual goal kickers, with Mason Hall and Jake Kidd kicking four each and Sam Cachia booting three.
The Pakenham recruiting management team can pat themselves on the back for acquiring the signature of Tanner Stanton, as he posted 38 possessions, 12 marks and eight tackles in a virtuoso performance.
His midfield leadership, partnered with the silky skills of Cora lynn recruit Luke Ryan, provide the club with stability and amazing ball movement through the guts.
Hall’s monster start to 2025 was on full display versus the Towners, with 27 disposals to go along with his four majors.
However, he missed multiple opportunities in front of the big sticks, potentially foreshadowing massive hauls of goals down the line.
His elite footwork and change of direction complements his flare and foot speed, marking him as an extremely lethal small forward that the Rebels will have their hands full slowing down.
Harry Prendergast brings size in the middle and accumulated 23 disposals and nine tackles in round two for Alexandra, while Nick Meehan and Thomas Massey found the football as the pair had 26 and 24 touches respectively.
The Lions will create elite run out of the back, with their midfield playing as a perfect connector to link to the forwards through crisp ball transition, a trait they made look smooth against Powelltown.
This will produce good opportunities in the forward 50, helping Pakenham steer itself to a five-goal triumph.
On Friday afternoon, Belgrave welcomes Seville to town in what should be a comfortable result for the Blues as the away side.
Seville has posted 100-plus scores in both games this season, with Domenic Aloi picking up his 2024 form with eight majors so far in the campaign, including six goals in round two against Alexandra.
Justin Myers has been arguably the best player in the competition through two games, highlighted by 37 disposals, nine marks and a goal last week.
The visitors will come into Belgrave Recreation Reserve and send the Magpies to 0-3 with a 38-point result.
Yea and Yarra Glen lock horns with both sides coming off a win in round two.
The Tigers are a deep side with multiple weapons, while the River Pigs are spearheaded by elite key forward Josh Hawkins.
Hawkins has enjoyed a prominent start to 2025, with 10 goals on the board, boosted by seven in Yarra Glen’s victory over Belgrave.
Yea at home will have the tools around the ground and the answer to Hawkins, defending the Showgrounds with a 20-point win.
Yarra Junction look to be in for a tough year, especially after losing 2024 club best and fairest Luke Spaulding to Emerald.
Its matchup with Warburton Millgrove on the road is going to be an incredibly tough fixture with the Eagles winless and the Burras loading up as a finals contender.
Warburton Millgrove will be far too strong in the Anzac round and prevail by 10 goals.
