SEABL MID WEEK PREVIEWS – MEN – ROUND 8

This game is important, not for who wins, but for who loses and the implications that the loss carries with it.

Before the season began, Frankston and Kilsyth had seemingly put into place well balanced teams. They had the two most experienced coaches in the competition at the helm, and they both had a returning import in addition to an exciting new import. In fact, both the Blues and the Cobras had the majority of their line-ups return from last year, and those line-ups combined a pleasant mix of experienced and younger players. And for the opening month, the formula worked. Frankston secured four wins in their opening five including wins over Bendigo and Nunawading. Kilsyth meanwhile went 3-1 in their opening four games and their only loss in that time was to Knox by three points. Everything looked great.

But then things began to slide. The Blues dropped three straight and only shook off Canberra last week in the final term when their height advantage began to reap rewards. Admittedly, Frankston ran into a hot Geelong team and an equally impressive Knox team in that losing streak, but the loss to Hobart at home was definitely an upset for a team that needed to make its mark. Kilsyth’s downturn has been more alarming. They’ve dropped four of their last five. The only win in that time was over bottom-placed NW Tasmania, and their average losing margin in those four defeats has been by an average of a whopping 17.0 points. Most disturbing of all, they’ve looked flat and lacked direction and coherency.

The winner between Frankston and Kilsyth can probably expect a reprieve from unwanted scrutiny, but the loser can anticipate the bright and exploring light of examination to fall on every aspect of their performance, from top to bottom.

Prediction: Frankston by 8.

 

For all their early season troubles, Hobart has shown good form of late. Knox are 1-3 on the road this season, and if the Chargers can get their crowd involved and maintain the momentum for four quarters, an upset could be on the cards.

 

Mt Gambier’s home court advantage was reaffirmed with the win over Knox, and the Pioneers will fancy their chances of another win against Frankston. The Blues need this win to stay in touch with the top four, so should be a tough battle.

 

Brisbane is undefeated at home, and they must try to protect their home court advantage against Nunawading who are still without their import. But the Spartans have been hammered with injuries, making the Spectres slight favourites.

 

With three-straight wins, Bendigo’s form is looking ominous. The Braves are 3-1 at home, and they must be relishing the opportunity to build their confidence with a big win against the Pioneers, who are 1-5 on the road this year.

 

Containing Sandringham’s Cory Cooperwood will be the key to any chance the Gunners have of securing an upset. But the Sabres’ Josh Wilcher is also in top form, and it’s hard to see Canberra staying with their rivals over four quarters.

 

With Blagov Janev and Ben Armstrong due to suit up for NW Tasmania, it will be an entirely new-look Thunder outfit this week. With an injury cloud also hanging over Lester Strong, it could be a tough weekend in Tasmania for the Raiders.

 

Riding a seven-game winning streak, Dandenong are arguably the hottest team in the competition. Ballarat will also be without head coach Guy Molloy, absent with the under-17 national team, so it could be a tough night for the Miners.

 

Geelong can expect a packed Lauren Jackson stadium in Albury this weekend. The Bandits would love nothing more than a win over the 9-1 Supercats, a result that would announce them as a legitimate playoff contender.

 

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