By Marcus Uhe
Without sounding alarmist, the time is now for Pakenham to return to winning ways.
It’s been three weeks since the Sam Kors miracle against Monbulk and the Lions have displayed some average football since.
Losses to sides likely to finish near them, in Mt Evelyn and Olinda Ferny Creek, were games they simply could not afford to drop in a contested Outer East Football Netball Premier division season, but losses they were, and through seven weeks, they languish in eighth.
But challenges don’t come much tougher than Wandin, who head to Toomuc Reserve having rediscovered some form.
Heading into the long weekend with a win to their name would do wonders for the group at Pakenham, and they gave Wandin trouble last season by restricting their ability to pile on big scores, but with a depleted 22 at the moment, but it’s hard to see Wandin letting this slip.
Aaron Mullett is back to his dangerous best with six goals in round seven, and their midfield continues to hum, where Pakenham’s is leaving too much to too few.
At Kalora Park, a former favourite son of the Magpies will come face-to-face with his old side from the coaches box when Hayden Stagg’s Titans tackle the Magpies.
Last week’s breakthrough win will lift the winless hoodoo off their shoulders but facing Narre Warren at home is a different challenge – something Stagg is all too familiar with, having won flags in the black and white stripes in a previous life.
Officer and Olinda Ferny Creek will battle for the title of ‘early season surprise packet’ in Olinda.
The winner will entrench themselves into finals calculations with a 5-3 record at the long weekend, with neither having made finals in the top flight last year.
While not expected to go head-to-head, Brenton Hillard and Matt Scharenberg will both have a significant influence for their respective sides.
Bigger tests will come for Officer later in the season, but winning games against sides close to them on the table – unlike what Pakenham have done – is all you can ask of Daniel Charles’ side.
Emerald has a great opportunity to grab a second win of the season against Monbulk at home, while Gembrook Cockatoo has a tough road trip to face Woori Yallock.
Upwey Tecoma, meanwhile, should be too strong for Mt Evelyn.
Tips: EMERALD v Monbulk, Olinda Ferny Creek v OFFICER, Pakenham v WANDIN, NARRE WARREN v Berwick Springs, UPWEY TECOMA v Mt Evelyn, WOORI YALLOCK v Gembrook Cockatoo.
