The cold, wintery conditions may be on their way, but the heat will certainly be turned up at J.E. Moore Park this weekend when West Preston-Lakeside meets Epping.
With both sides languishing at the bottom of the Division 1 ladder, both will be desperately searching for their second win of the season to alleviate the pressure that is building from a slow start to the 2013 season.
The Roosters have been the competition’s biggest slider so far this year. Premiers in 2010, third in 2011 and fifth in 2012 – the side is struggling to overcome the loss of stars Jake Williams, Bill Morrison, Simon Prestigiacomo and Kris Bardon during the off-season.
In just five rounds they have fallen to three losses by 50 points or more and have averaged just 68 points a game – down considerably only last year’s average of 89 points in the home and away season.
Clearly in a rebuilding phase under new coach Frank Raso, the extent of West Preston’s demise has been surprising, however last week’s result at Heidelberg showed the club might be back on track after a poor opening month.
Heading into the Round 5 clash at Warringal Park as a huge outsider, the Roosters went within a minute of claiming the biggest upset of the season thus far. They led the Tigers for the opening half, and fought back from 14 points down at three-quarter time to steal the lead late. Only a late goal by Mark Favrin denied them a second win.
While the final result was disappointing, the match was arguably West Preston’s best showing this season.
Youngster Mitch Tobin played his best game of the season – named best in only his ninth senior game for the club after stepping up from under-19s football last year. Up forward, James McInerney stood up and kicked four goals in the absence of leading goal kicker Anthony Rocca.
Epping has faced a tough initiation to Division 1, facing three of last year’s top four sides in the opening month of the season – in Bundoora, Heidelberg and Northcote Park.
The biggest issue for last year’s Division 2 premier has been stopping their opposition from scoring. They concede an average of 123 points per game and have conceded less than 100 points just once – that being their come-from-behind Round 3 win over Lower Plenty.
Last week’s 45-point loss to Macleod was arguably their most disappointing effort this year. Against an opponent they would have fancied their chances against, the Blues were blown away from the outset and trailed by 27 points at quarter time. They failed to recover and were never in the hunt.
Experienced duo Daniel Moore and Daniel Santoro have led the way for their side so far this year, however the Blues have struggled up forward with recruit Peter Shepherd missing since Round 2.
Strangely enough, the winner of this weekend’s clash has the potential to move back within one game of the top five, such is the eveness of the bottom half of the ladder this year. However, the alarm bells will be sounding loudly for the loser who will be firmly entrenched in the relegation scrap after six weeks.
WEST PRESTON LAKESIDE
Ladder Position: 8th
Wins: 1
Losses: 4
Points For – 338, Average For – 68
Points Against – 491, Average Against – 98
Average Winning Margin – 15
Average Losing Margin – 42
Leading Goalkicker – Anthony Rocca/Alex Gleeson (9)
EPPING
Ladder Position: 10th
Wins: 1
Losses: 4
Points For – 338, Average For – 68
Points Against – 615, Average Against – 123
Average Winning Margin – 2
Average Losing Margin – 70
Leading Goalkicker – Josh Totino (8)
