Blockbuster start to Footy Year
The second game in the round 1 Double Header at 3.15pm pits 2012 Premiers North’s against the unlucky South runner ups. In a game of two halves the Bulldogs recovered from a 33 point half time deficit to win a thrilling grand final by 3 points. Just how that all unravelled for the Roos will have caused the Players and Coaches many a sleepless night.
That’s all consigned to history now and both Clubs have moved on with North replacing the retired Coach Karl Berryman with former star player Mark Pitt. Over the Hill Robert Hickey has also retired, but importantly stayed involved by becoming the Women’s Coach. Back in charge is Peter Johns and with him is Darren Smith who has built an impressive Junior Coaching career.
The playing stocks for both Clubs have taken a big hit for the rematch with North needing to find new soldiers to replace Wes Burton, Chris Billings, Tom Billings, Patrick White, Nathan Rayner & Jackson McInnes.
South have a whopping 12 changes led by Bill Dolan, Ty Corey, Marc Purcell, Drew Hardy, Justin Spratt, Alan Mackiewicz, Simon O’Brien, Wes Judd, Jayson Higgins, Riley Elliott, Dylan Stuart and Riley Schorn
North has recruited well with Brad Mannion jumping ship from the Pies and Ben Perkins arriving at the kennel via the Sunraysia competition. New faces include Jackson Parsons from Adelaide, Davin Bates, Nathan Hiscock & junior Keenan Ellis.
South will welcome back to town two of their best juniors of the last decade in Heath Caldwell (not named?) and Jordan Johns. Both showed in the lightning cup that they have that x factor to make things happen, plus the fitness base to break the lines. Also impressive last week was the veterans in Dustin Stephens and Mick Vlatko. Both have had long careers and whilst the annual Birthday cake is now a “fire hazard’ both have the footy smarts to be vital cogs in Peter Johns game plan.
The other in’s are seasoned players Kane Barrie, Cohen Caldwell, Todd Davidson, Bryce Pollard, Tyson Boland, Sam Lines & Alex Page whilst youngsters Luke Lines and Mitchell Henderson may well be on debut! Both had outstanding years in the Under 18’s in 2012.
This round one match will throw up many important contests none more so than in the middle where Jayden Kelly & Brett Johnson will be big ball winners but will be looking for help with the likes of Codie Howard earning a quid at work! Quinton Beavan is a seriously capable midfielder and Matt Garrick can be a ball winner or a shut down runner as the team needs.
South’s appear to have more players that regularly run through the middle in Johns, Caldwell, Michael Westley, Marcus O’Brien & Jordan Staker and with Stephens & Vlatko good targets in attack they may have the aces to kick the 13 or 14 goals needed to ensure a win. Interestingly Dylan Browne played a more forward role under the new Coach and he could be the answer at CHF.
Defensively both sides have solid workmanlike players with North looking at Jake Napier and Jacob Borlace to stand the talls and Tobias Hack to play the zone off attacking defender.
South’s looked very settled last week with Casey Paul & Arlen Bird solid in the key defensive posts whilst Luke Jones & Phil Neal could become great rebounding defenders.
Picking round one winners is a nightmare, but South’s do appear to be up and about having played 3 steady games last weekend, so the Kiss of Death the Roos by 18!
Last Modified on 13/04/2013 09:20