by The Bedge » Thu Jun 02, 2016 10:30 am
Zartan's Mid Year Review - West Croydon
A Grade
Won - 8
Lost – 0
Drawn - 1
Percentage – 72.21%
Position – 1st
Players Used - 29
Run Home: A – H – A – H – H – A – H – A - H
Most Goals – Luke Woodcock (30 goals)
Most Valuable – Jacob Sumner
West Croydon have paid their dues. Preliminary finalists the past two seasons, the Hawks decided enough was enough, and brought back premiership coach Mat McPherson, as well as former A grade forward Jeb Stubberfield to oversee the B grade as part of a full change in coaching personnel. The Hawks topped up their already impressive list, and the result – an 8/0/1 first half of the season, undefeated with the TOS draw their only hiccup so far, to sit aloft the premiership table.
Long serving champion Luke Woodcock has proven formidable up forward, collecting 30 goals so far to lead a swag of Hawks goal kickers. Cam McKinnon and Kyle O’Toole with 22 goals each highlight the firepower West Croydon possess.
Last season’s D6 medallist Jacob Sumner has picked up where he left off, and is arguably their most valuable player. Despite only being recorded amongst the best once this year, I think anyone whose seen Sumner would agree his electrifying pace, footwork and contested ball efforts make him one of the best. Nicholas Symons and Ryan Davies have performed well to earn the plaudits of the coaching panel, while Luke Nicholls is another who appears to be flying under the radar, and is arguably the Hawks second most dangerous player behind Sumner.
A side that will be hunted in the second half, the challenge for the Hawks will be to maintain their start – or have they peaked too early? A favourable draw in front of them, they won’t hold any fears of the upcoming fixtures. Minor premiership is theirs to lose from here, and a Grand Final appearance seems all but a formality at the moment.
Rating: A+
B Grade
Won - 9
Lost - 0
Percentage – 72.89%
Position – 1st
Players Used - 41
Run Home: A – H – A – H – H – A – H – A - H
Most Goals – David Campbell (33 goals)
Most Valuable – Dylan Emery
Arguably the biggest surprise packed for 2016 has been the emergence and subsequent dominance of the Hawks B grade. After winning just 5x games in 2015 and missing the finals, the Hawks were coming from a long way back to be considered competitive let alone a contender, but thanks to some astute recruiting and their ability to keep most of their side together regularly (only 41 players used – lowest in the div), they’ve taken the comp by storm to find themselves a perfect 9/0 at the hallway point.
David Campbell has been the big revelation for West Croydon, with the former B grade captain returning to the B grade this season after a year in the 1s, and it seems he’s come back a far better player, terrorising fullbacks on his way to 33 goals so far. His main partner in crime Elias Cuellar not to be outdone has slotted 29 goals from Centre Half Forward and proven to be a pivotal cog in the Hawks line-up.
The experienced Dylan Emery is the Hawks most valuable, with 16 goals and 5x in the best players, Emery along with David Sawtell have been the catalyst for the West Croydon start to the seasons.
As with the A grade, the Hawks will become the hunted over the back half, and their depth will be tested at times. Should they maintain a consistent side, top 2 if not top spot is guaranteed. They should win between 7-9 games to close the season.
Rating: A+
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