Through one round of competition and it looks as if the top five may be settled.
Irrewarra have been outstanding all year with only the one defeat on a wet day at the hands of Birregurra who have also been prominent this year. We thought it pre season and half way through it seems we were correct in our predictions of Birregurra as the big movers this year. There firepower up forward in jacob mason and matthew whelan has been difficult for opposing sides to stop and defence has been solid, conceding only 715 points through 10 matches. Adam Wilkinson has his men up and firing and no doubt that they will be dangerous come finals time. The other danger to Irrewarra is Alvie who, like Birregurra, have the goalkicking power to kick big scores and their pace should suit on the big ground on the central reserve. Josh Goonan, Tom McCrickard, Christian Kelly and Paul Cass have all shown that they are able to kick multiple goals and Joel Flanagan and Andrew Kelly have been very good all year in the midfield. Under seventeens Ben Lynch, Liam McGuane and kEIRAN mAWSON have all cemented regular spots and their young legs will be hard to stop on the big ground. Lorne and Forrest have both shown glimpses of good form throughout the year and Forrest are yet to hit their straps. The departure of David Timms may hurt them but they have enough targets up forward to counter that with Ben Hood and Andrew Hill being able to kick forrest a competitive total. Big Saltimacchia has been a handy recruit and leak has been plagued by injury. Lorne have a quick young side and the reigning premiers have enough class to prove dangerous in September. Blokes like Tully and Alford are all class with Lee Hollmer a proven star. Jack Hollmer is a handy in when available and they will not be pushes aside easily when crunch time comes. Early losses to sides they shouldnt have lost to like South Coalc has hurt Apollo Bay and they may pay the price because of it, being two games and percentage out of finals contention, their hardness at the football will ensure that they will make the most of the oppurtunities afforded to them and if they squeeze in, could be a wildcard. So where does that leave us? Irrewarra have been the bench mark all year and their main strength may be their many avenues to goal with five players all booting over 20 goals this year. Their supporters are licking their lips at the prospect of winning a premiership, something they are not familiar with in recent years and Dan Casey, it seems, already believes that they are over the line. With $90 000 worth of spending you would hope they would win it and they may well do that but the whole competition is waiting for a slip up and a couple of injuries brings them right back to the pack.
Irrewarra have been outstanding all year with only the one defeat on a wet day at the hands of Birregurra who have also been prominent this year. We thought it pre season and half way through it seems we were correct in our predictions of Birregurra as the big movers this year. There firepower up forward in jacob mason and matthew whelan has been difficult for opposing sides to stop and defence has been solid, conceding only 715 points through 10 matches. Adam Wilkinson has his men up and firing and no doubt that they will be dangerous come finals time. The other danger to Irrewarra is Alvie who, like Birregurra, have the goalkicking power to kick big scores and their pace should suit on the big ground on the central reserve. Josh Goonan, Tom McCrickard, Christian Kelly and Paul Cass have all shown that they are able to kick multiple goals and Joel Flanagan and Andrew Kelly have been very good all year in the midfield. Under seventeens Ben Lynch, Liam McGuane and kEIRAN mAWSON have all cemented regular spots and their young legs will be hard to stop on the big ground. Lorne and Forrest have both shown glimpses of good form throughout the year and Forrest are yet to hit their straps. The departure of David Timms may hurt them but they have enough targets up forward to counter that with Ben Hood and Andrew Hill being able to kick forrest a competitive total. Big Saltimacchia has been a handy recruit and leak has been plagued by injury. Lorne have a quick young side and the reigning premiers have enough class to prove dangerous in September. Blokes like Tully and Alford are all class with Lee Hollmer a proven star. Jack Hollmer is a handy in when available and they will not be pushes aside easily when crunch time comes. Early losses to sides they shouldnt have lost to like South Coalc has hurt Apollo Bay and they may pay the price because of it, being two games and percentage out of finals contention, their hardness at the football will ensure that they will make the most of the oppurtunities afforded to them and if they squeeze in, could be a wildcard. So where does that leave us? Irrewarra have been the bench mark all year and their main strength may be their many avenues to goal with five players all booting over 20 goals this year. Their supporters are licking their lips at the prospect of winning a premiership, something they are not familiar with in recent years and Dan Casey, it seems, already believes that they are over the line. With $90 000 worth of spending you would hope they would win it and they may well do that but the whole competition is waiting for a slip up and a couple of injuries brings them right back to the pack.
Alvie 2ND-8 WINS 2 LOSSES
DANGER MAN: Tom McCrickard-impossible to match up on and his athletic ability will ensure he enjoys the open ecspances of the central reserve
Apollo Bay 6th-5 wins 5 losses
Danger Man: Damien O'Connor. Probably the form player of the year and his ball winning ability means lots of votes. Could be leading the league best and fairest.
Forrest 4th- 7 WINS 3 LOSSES
Danger Man: Jason Rathje. Getting on but still playing well enough to be a handful for opposition sides.
4th- Lorne
5th- Forrest
Irrewarra Beeac 1st- 9 wins 1 loss
Danger Man: Khan Beckett. Big name signing on $700 a game and his prolific kicking ability sets up many forwards with goal kicking opportunities and he has been able to kick plenty himself.
Lorne 5th-7 Wins 3 Losses
Danger Man: Casey Tully. Premiership player who is in the elite bracket of colac and district midfielder's.
Birregurra 3rd- 8 wins 2 losses
Danger Man: Jacob Mason. Has been the recruit of the year and together with Mark Whelan, holds the key to the Birregurra forward line. Top notch player.
PREDICTIONS
Premiership: Alvie
BEST ON IN FINAL: Joel Flanagan
Runners Up: Birregurra
League Best and fairest: Damien O'Connor
Goal kicking: Mark Whelan
IRREWARRA? To choke...again. Wrong bloke in charge and would love to see them bomb out come finals, maybe im going with my heart rather than my head but i reckon the others may be a bit tougher
BEST ON IN FINAL: Joel Flanagan
Runners Up: Birregurra
League Best and fairest: Damien O'Connor
Goal kicking: Mark Whelan
IRREWARRA? To choke...again. Wrong bloke in charge and would love to see them bomb out come finals, maybe im going with my heart rather than my head but i reckon the others may be a bit tougher
4th- Lorne
5th- Forrest