A popular excuse for losing in round one was the ‘newness’ of a team and the ‘lack of togetherness’ between players. There will be plenty of swapping and changing this weekend as a number of teams battle to record their first victory of the season.By Glen Atwell
THE Easter Bunny has been, left the chocolates and gone and round two of the Southern Football League is finally ready to kick into action.
Winners in round one have had the chance to build their confidence and decipher what went right, while the losers have had plenty of time to figure out just what went wrong and aim to go from boiled lollies to chocolates.
Perhaps most concerned would be the division three DOVETON EAGLES, after the reigning preliminary finalists copped a 49-point belting from league newcomer SKYE.
Coach Paul Davis admitted the Bombers were a lot better than his Eagles had expected.
“We have a new side, it might take a few weeks for us to gel properly as a team, but it’s something we’re going to work hard on,” he said.
Whether or not the gel sticks is a question that will be answered when the Eagles battle NORTH KEW at Stradbroke Park on Saturday.
The Bears are also winless after round one and will no doubt be keen to win their first home game of the season.
PARKMORE PIRATES could firm their position as division-three premiership contenders in an away match against SOUTH MORNINGTON this weekend.
After a heated victory against the SANDOWN COBRAS in round one, the Pirates travel for the first time and will need to be at their swashbuckling best to return from MOUNT MARTHA with four points.
The Tigers beat MOUNT WAVERLEY by 24 points in round one and the battle with the Pirates this weekend could see the winning side on top of the ladder.
The Cobras play their first home game against CERBERUS at Edinburgh Reserve in Springvale on Saturday.
The Navy boys had 12 of their starting 18 missing in the four-point loss to the DANDENONG DEMONS on Saturday.
A club spokesman from Cerberus confirmed the missing players would return this Saturday and the disciplined side will prove hard to beat.
The Demons, full of confidence after escaping from Cerberus with four points, host BLACK ROCK in their first game at Greaves Reserve.
Coach Mick Hawken said the game is a big test for the young side.
“Our side is very different to last year, but we’ll be up there and giving it everything,” he said.
After SPRINGVALE DISTRICTS thrashed LYNDALE PUMAS by 52-points in the round-one, division-two local derby, both sides have a very different outlook on the rest of the season.
The Demons play HEATHERTON in a Friday night match at Springvale Reserve (7.30pm) and after last week’s eye-catching performance, should have no trouble celebrating Rob Burns’ 300th game in winning fashion.
The Pumas had no answers against the Demons last week, but should have the talent to overcome CANTERBURY and register their first win of the season.
It’s time to put away the chocolates and pick up the footy!
