32 www.plainsproducer.com.au
The Plains Producer, Thursday, April 16, 2009
KYM JARMAN’S KISS of DEATH: Eagles by 27 points Peckers by 10 points
other reports: p25 – 27
Light the fuse! Eagles, Peckers favoured in explosive first round
T
he 2009 APFL Football season kicks off on Saturday with the four finalists from last season facing off in what are expected to two cracking matches. At Port Wakefield it will be a grand final rematch between the Eagles and the Magpies and at Long Plains we will see the Peckers out to seek revenge over a United side that knocked them out of last year’s finals series. Two Wells, Virginia and Hamley Bridge all sit out of the first weekend’s action due to the five week “split round” set-up. In the match at Port Wakefield, last year’s premiers Hummocks Watchman Eagles will take on last year’s flag favourites Mallala in what promises to be one of the most eagerly-anticipated grand final re-matches. Although the tide of last season was turned on its ear grand final day last season with the Eagles upsetting Mallala, in regards to this fixture the Eagles will probably start favourites given their off-season recruitment of big guns Joe Hunt from the South East and Daniel Thomas from the Barossa. The Eagles also have a new coach in Mark Brandt, who has come from Gawler Central. His appointment is set to take some pressure off Jared Wilson who now can just concentrate on playing rather than combining his
APFL Round One
PREVIEW
Will it be heads ... or tails?
By Kym Jarman
n Your club’s chances 11-page football & netball feature starts Page 13
whiteboard duties with his ball-getting ability. Mallala on the other hand have lost more than they have gained in the off-season, with midfielder John Southern and centre half forward/onballer Dean Christie both missing from the side that played in last season’s grand final. Along with the loss of ruckman Ben Moffatt the Magpies look a touch behind the Eagles for this round one clash – on paper anyway! It will be a clash of the two most “prepared” sides in the competition as both clubs have come off long pre-seasons and are fit and ready to go. Both are full of quality and despite the small confines of the sea-side oval
restricting the running game of both teams, their skills will certainly be on display, as always. The match will be won in the midfield as this is the strength area of both teams. The Eagles’ Braham, Reid and Wilson will have their work cut out against the likes of Joel Montgomerie, Jason Earl and Liam Whitwell. The Eagle backline should be able to contain the Mallala forwards provided supply is not constant. At the other end, Mallala’s consistent defenders will have their work cut out if Thomas lines up in the goal square as many are predicting. If Mallala does get up it won’t be a complete surprise but given the Eagles’ credentials you simply cannot go past them this week – especially at Port Wakefield.
n United’s Simon Schulz brought new meaning to being at the bottom of the pack and obviously feeling the squeeze in this snap at Long Plains when the Tigers met Burra-Booborowie-Hallett in a recent trial game. United’s Adam Mansfield appears to be tossing up over any rescue attempt.
New talent on show at Long Plains UNITED hosts Balaklava at Long Plains without many of the big names synonomous with Tiger successes in the past two seasons. Broad, Vandenbergh and Serle have all gone and the Tigers this week will also be without classy midfielder Brad Shimmin, who
will serve week one of a three match suspension for giving the umpire a few “pointers” in the dying minutes of last year’s preliminary final loss. The Tigers do regain locals Sam McArdle the youthful Heath Pym, who both return to their home club in time for this week’s season
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opener against a Pecker side looking much fitter than last year and re-gaining the services of locals Benny Lamond, Justin Michael and young gun Todd McPharlin, who all return to their home club. Justin Walker also returns from a long-term injury. n Continued Page 26.
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