Magpies are the benchmark

Narre Warren has sung the song seven times already this season. 181546 Pictures: ROB CAREW

SOUTH EAST FOOTBALL NETBALL LEAGUE

MID-SEASON REVIEW

Narre Warren has so far been the benchmark in what has been a fairly even season to date. So who can challenge the mighty Magpies from here on in? SEFNL reporter NICK CREELY takes a look at how each club is placed as the season heats up.

BEACONSFIELD

POSITION: 3rd (5 wins, 2 losses)

LEADING GOAL KICKER: Nathan Langley (23)

BEST AND FAIREST: Scott Meyer

NEXT THREE: Cranbourne, Berwick and Officer

THE VERDICT: Leigh McQuillen’s side began the season struggling to hit the scoreboard, but it’s been no coincidence the form has picked up with Nathan Langley’s return to the top of the goal charts. Champion ruckman Scott Meyer continues to be a colossal, and has so far been one of the standouts of the competition. The form of the likes of Jake Bowd, Sean Dwyer and Matthew Homfray has been particularly impressive. A testing next three rounds will really show exactly where the Eagles sit in the pecking order, but they are well placed for a top three tilt.

BERWICK

POSITION: 4th (4 wins, 3 losses)

LEADING GOAL KICKER: Harry Money (23)

BEST AND FAIREST: Ash Smith

NEXT THREE: Officer, Beaconsfield and Cranbourne

THE VERDICT: It’s certainly no panic stations for the Wickers just yet, but two losses in a row after leading late prove they are simply not invincible. Apart from those slip-ups, they are motoring along ok and will look to build their form from here on in. The form of Ash Smith has been pivotal to their run, while Jo West and Michael Riseley are playing some solid footy down back. Harry Money is also having a good, old fashioned breakout year, and his dynamic play has given the Wickers an exciting edge. A lift from stars of the calibre of Travis Tuck, Madi Andrews and Bryce Rutherford is needed to click back into gear. But in saying that, the Wickers know that premierships are not won in June, and are just taking some time to find their feet after the highs of 2017.

CRANBOURNE

POSITION: 2nd (6 wins, 2 losses)

LEADING GOAL KICKER: Marc Holt (18)

BEST AND FAIREST: Michael Boland

NEXT THREE: Beaconsfield, Narre Warren and Berwick

THE VERDICT: The Eagles are in irresistible form, and are knocking every challenge out of the park to date. Steve O’Brien’s team began the season inconsistently, but are building their game steadily and are a serious premiership contender, as shown by their powerful final term blitz of Berwick. Like all good sides do, they cashed in against an undermanned Doveton and increased their percentage significantly. Michael Boland, Glenn Osborne, Dillan Bass and Shaun Marusic are all enjoying strong seasons. This team is in good shape but face an enormous three weeks against the other big contenders.

DOVETON

POSITION: 8th (0 wins, 8 losses)

LEADING GOAL KICKER: Riley D’Arcy (11)

BEST AND FAIREST: Mitch Cotter

NEXT THREE: Tooradin-Dalmore, Pakenham and Narre Warren

THE VERDICT: After losing so many key cogs and champions, the Doves were always going to struggle. It’s simply now about youth, and looking at maybe getting one win on the board by the end of the season. Former Dandenong Stingray Mitch Cotter is simply a star and has been a shining light, while the likes of Matt Stapleton, Matthew Boyd and Gach Nyuon have been solid. Finding goals after the departure of Riley D’Arcy will be difficult, but it gives the chance for a couple of players to bob up.

NARRE WARREN

POSITION: 1st (7 wins, 0 losses)

LEADING GOAL KICKER: Nick Scanlon (20)

BEST AND FAIREST: Brad Scalzo

NEXT THREE: Pakenham, Cranbourne and Doveton

THE VERDICT: They have been sublime, too fast and too good so far. The youth that returning coach Matt Shinners has injected into this side has lifted them and brought about so much energy, and they have such a stable leadership group. The clash against Berwick only a couple of weeks ago was a classic, and proved that the Magpies can handle the heat when their backs are against the wall. In a season where everyone has been so even, Brad Scalzo has been incredible since returning, while the likes of Jesse Davies, Trent Cody, Jake Richardson, Col McNamara, Michael Collins, as well as both Nick and Stew Scanlon have been almost untouchable.

OFFICER

POSITION: 5th (4 wins, 3 losses)

LEADING GOAL KICKER: Matthew Clarke (12)

BEST AND FAIREST: Ben Tivendale

NEXT THREE: Berwick, Tooradin-Dalmore and Beaconsfield.

THE VERDICT: Officer’s season so far can be summed up in just one word, inconsistent. The Kangaroos’ best is very good, but the gap between the best and the worst is still too great. The Kangaroos are clearly not in the bottom sides, but are yet to beat a side above them, something that needs to happen if they want to still stay in touch. Veteran Ben Tivendale has been brilliant so far this season, while big ruckman Sean Roach and defender James Waldon are playing solid footy. After some early injuries, the Kangaroos are starting to get their best side on the park, and the form of recruits Ben Curtiss, Matt Laskey and Jayce Valentine is only going to get better.

PAKENHAM

POSITION: 6th (2 wins, 5 losses)

LEADING GOAL KICKER: Chris Cardona (7)

BEST AND FAIREST: Chris Cardona

NEXT THREE: Narre Warren, Doveton and Tooradin-Dalmore

THE VERDICT: Credit needs to go to the Lions, they have been super competitive, and therefore, they still remain with a sneaky chance of staying in the finals hunt. The Lions have an opportunity to keep pressure on Officer with games against Doveton and Tooradin in the next few weeks, and that is motivation enough. Skipper Chris Cardona is enjoying another great year, while defender James Harrison, Jay Jay Peni and Steve O’Bryan have been impressive.  A big test against Narre Warren awaits, how long can they stick with the Magpies?

TOORADIN-DALMORE

POSITION: 7th (1 win, 6 losses)

LEADING GOAL KICKER: Andrew Dean (11)

BEST AND FAIREST: Dylan Wilson

NEXT THREE: Doveton, Officer and Pakenham

THE VERDICT: It’s hard to pin point what exactly is going wrong on-field for the Seagulls at the moment, but they are struggling to remain competitive. There is certainly talent there, and the nucleus of a good side, but they need to start putting wins on the board. Dylan Wilson has been great all year, while Luke McKenna and Brad Lenders have been consistent, but they need a lift across the board to gain some respectability back in the season. Winnable games against Doveton, Officer and Pakenham provide the perfect chance to do just that.