By DAVID NAGEL
CRANBOURNE’s push for a fourth consecutive grand final appearance begins at Starling Road on Saturday when the Eagles take on a youthful and fast-paced ROC.
And the core of what has been a brilliant side over the last four years is still intact.
The Eagles will miss one of the best defenders in the league, in Matt Thompson, to a long-term injury, but players like Brandon Osborne, Nick Barker, Matt Rus and Stu Morrish are capable of covering his loss.
Max Gearon and Curtis Barker are just so creative through the middle while new recruit Luke Bee-Hugo joins returning stars in Michael Boland and Brad Hermans in the blue and gold.
New ROC coach Brad Jones has a massive challenge on his hands first up, but will get a great indication early on just which of his chargers can handle the heat best.
Chris Potalej, Shaun Croxford, and Blair Allan will make the Kangaroos a better side … but good enough to beat Cranbourne … we think not, it’s the bigger-bodied Eagles to strike gold.
The only round one encounter involving two last start winners takes place at Westernport Oval where Tooradin roll out the welcome mat for Hampton Park.
The corresponding clash last year resulted in a 150-point pasting of the Redbacks by the Seagulls, but things will be a lot tighter this time around.
“As far as I’m concerned, Hampton Park is the best team in the competition right now and we need to give them our full attention,” Tooradin coach Andrew Clarke explained.
The Seagulls will unleash a band of new recruits … Phil Burns from Garfield will harden up the midfield while his former team-mate at the Stars, Ryan Louch, will be dangerous around goals.
Matthew Cox, Billy Thomas and Brodie Yapp will make a difference to Hampton Park while Luke Nunan, Nathan Dawes, Adam Koe and Jimmy VanElewould will grit their teeth until the end. The Redbacks have improved … but they’re impossible to tip … it’s the Seagulls to get the points.
In other games, Berwick and Beaconsfield will unveil their star new recruits when the long-running Battle of the Creek continues at Edwin Flack Reserve.
Berwick will have Aaron Purvis and Ben Waite slip on the navy blue while the Eagles will be strengthened with the inclusion of midfielder Tyson Mitchem and Bunyip full-forward Brent Heus.
Narre Warren will unfurl a remarkable sixth premiership flag in eight years before taking on Pakenham at Fox Road while Keysborough and Doveton will lock horns at Rowley Allen Reserve.
