Premier Cricket: Round 11 Preview

Premier Cricket returns from the holiday hiatus this Saturday (6/1). Round 11 is a 50 over a side contest, the remaining matches for season 2011/12 (Rds 12 to 16 inclusive) arel two day fixtures.

 

After 10 Rounds the undefeated Carlton (45 pts) lead the pack with a 13 point lead over Melbourne (32pts). Richmond (30pts) season 2011/12’s pleasant surprises are third, Prahran (29pts) are fourth. Only a catastrophic form slump would deny any of the current top four a place in this seasons finals series.

 

Just as I’ve “inked” the current top four sides as finals certainties, you can confidently put a line through the bottom five sides Ringwood (11pts), Northcote (10pts), Melbourne Uni (6pts), North Melbourne (5pts) & Hawthorn Monash Uni (2pts) when considering the candidates for the remaining finals places at the completion of the home and away season.

 

That leaves nine contenders battling for the remaining finals spots. The run home for these teams (premiership points in brackets) is as follows:

 

RD11

RD12

RD13

RD14

RD15

RD16

F Pen (26)

N Melb (a)

N’cote (h)

Melb Uni (a)

F Edge (h)

R’mond (a)

Geelong (h)

C’well (26)

R’wood (h)

D’nong (a)

Fitz Don (h)

MCC (a)

HMU (h)

St Kilda (a)

Geelong (26)

Fitz Don (h)

MCC (a)

HMU (h)

St Kilda (a)

Prahran (h)

F Pen (a)

Fitz Don (23)

Geelong (a)

Carlton (h)

C’well (a)

CSM (h)

Ess’don (a)

R’wood (h)

D’nong (23)

Carlton (a)

C’well (h)

CSM (a)

Ess’don (h)

R’wood (a)

N Melb (h)

F Edge (19)

HMU (h)

St Kilda (a)

Prahran (h)

F Pen (a)

N’cote (h)

Melb Uni (a)

Ess’don (17)

CSM (a)

N Melb (h)

R’wood (h)

D’nong (a)

Fitz Don (h)

MCC (a)

CSM (17)

Ess’don (h)

R’wood (a)

D’nong (h)

Fitz Don (a)

MCC (h)

HMU (a)

St Kilda (16)

Melb Uni (a)

F Edge (h)

R’mond (a)

Geelong (h)

Carlton (a)

C’well (h)

 

What does it mean? Dunno, but let’s take a look at each team

 

Frankston Peninsula: The Round 15 clash with Richmond is the only time the Heat face a top four opponent before the end of the season. Hosting a final at AH Butler (reward for finishing in the top four) isn’t out of the question. Attack strong enough to cover loss of either Holland or Boland to State duties.

 

Camberwell Magpies: Away games at Shepley, the Albert and the Junction will provide stern tests, so the Pies wouldn’t want to drop any remaining home match. Maximum points in those clashes should be enough to get ‘em “in”.

 

Geelong: Hat trick of victories leading into the festive season revived the fortunes of the Cats. Difficult draw includes three clashes with teams above them on the table. Lazarus like victory against Ringwood in Round 9 suggests you shouldn’t discount Geelong, so I won’t.

 

Fitzroy Doncaster: Mash & Maxwell’s absence due to their involvement with the inaugural team based T20 competition has left Fitzroy Donny vulnerable. They return soon, but the Lions need to win at least one of the first three after the break. Don’t think they will.

 

Dandenong: The reigning premier will qualify. Peter Siddle & both Pattinsons (Darren subject to fitness) may be available for selection come finals time. I can’t think of many teams that would relish the prospect of taking on the Panther attack in late March.

 

Footscray Edgewater: Has the worst percentage of all the potential finalists, and will require four, perhaps five, wins in the new year. Much depends on the fitness of opening bowlers McCammond & Robertson, the Dogs need them fit and firing.  Might be a bridge too far, hope I’m wrong.

 

Essendon: Limped into the break having last won in Round 5. No.

 

Casey- South Melbourne: Despite victories in Rounds 9 & 10 leading into the break Casey SM need a miracle to qualify for their third consecutive finals series. Clive Rose has been huge (270 runs/26 wkts) and must be favourite to win the Ryder Medal.

 

St Kilda: Aiming for their 13th consecutive finals appearance but need to and win all remaining matches. Has the ability to “run the table”, but like CSM I think they may have left it too late.

 

ROUND 11 – MATCH OF THE DAY

Richmond (3rd) 30pts v  Melbourne (2nd) 32pts @ Central Reserve Waverley

2011/12 R’mond LWWLWWDWDW MCC LLWWWWDWWL

Last time they met: Round 16 2010/11 Sat 19 & Sun 20 February 2011 @ The Albert Ground Melbourne

MCC 9/226 (dec) (Dart 96, Yeo 5/66) def Richmond 125 (Delmont 40, Quinn 3/32)

It’s been a superb team effort from the Tigers in 2011/12. 10 different batsmen have scored half centuries, 4 bowlers have 10 or more wickets. Star recruit Manou has made only two appearances, Cam White is yet to step out for the Yellow and Black. Melbourne couldn’t cover the loss of McDonald, Hodge, Hill & Cooper and fell to the Dogs just before Christmas, their first loss in eight clashes. Whilst they have Kent & Dart in the side the Dee’s remain dangerous. Neither team will be at full strength due to T20 obligations which is a shame. Grand Final preview? Could be.  TIP: Richmond in a close one

 

Footscray Edgewater (10th) 19pts v Hawthorn Monash University (18th) 2pts @ M G Hughes Oval Footscray

2011/12 F’scray Edge WLLDWWDLDW 2011/12 HMU LLLLLLDLDT

Last time they met: Round 16 2010/11 Sat 19 & Sun 20 February 2011 @ Monash University Oval #1

FECC 279 (Dean 51, Bird 5/74) def HMU 70 (Kelliher 4/20) & 6/65 (Kelliher 3/20)

The Dogs victory at the Albert Ground three weeks ago was their best for 2011/12 and kept their finals heartbeat flickering. Hawthorn’s last three efforts read Loss, Draw and Tie. The form line suggests they’ll salute this Saturday in what would be their first win in 62 weeks. I wish picking winners was that easy.

TIP: Footscray Edgewater

 

Melbourne University (16th) 6pts v St Kilda (13th) 16pts @ Melb Uni Main Oval 1

2011/12 Melb Uni LLLWLLDLLT StK LWLLLWDLDW

Last time they met: Round 16 2010/11 Sat 19 & Sun 20 February 2011 @ Junction Oval St Kilda

St Kilda 9/281 (dec) (Handscomb 106, Simpson 5/64) def Melb Uni 194 (Keely 49, Forbes 3/34)

The Saints have a tough run home and can’t afford to leave campus without the points. They’ll be too good for the students. TIP: St Kilda.

 

 Northcote (15th) 10pts v Prahran (4th) 29pts @ Bill Lawry Oval Northcote

2011/12 N’cote LLLLWWDLDL P’ran TWWWWLDWDW

Last time they met: Round 16 2010/11 Sat 19 & Sun 20 February 2011 @ Toorak Park

Prahran 7/331 (De Bolfo 105, Hoare 3/71) def Northcote 264 (Brook 67, Sealy 3/47)

Victory at “Proboscis Park” will see the Two Blues enter the Top 3 regardless of the outcome between Melbourne & Richmond. The Dragons last effort with the willow was 55 in 31 overs against St Kilda. That’s terrible. TIP: Prahran.

 

Casey South Melbourne (12th) 17pts v  Essendon (11th) 17pts @ Casey Field #4 Cranborne

2011/12 CSM TLWLLLDDWW Ess’don WLWWWLDLLL

Last time they met: Round 16 2010/11 Sat 19 & Sun 20 February 2011 @ Windy Hill Essendon

Essendon 4/223 (dec) (Carton 81, Perera 2/35) def CSM 162 (Blandford 70, Buhagiar 5/46)

The Bloods finished the pre-Xmas section with back to back victories. Essendon have dropped their last three starts and will complete the quaddie on Saturday.  TIP: Casey South Melbourne.

 

Carlton (1st) 45pts v Dandenong (9th) 23pts @ Princes Park #1 Oval Carlton

2011/12 Carlton WWWWWWDDWW D’nong WWWLWLDWDL

Last time they met: PC Semi Final 2010/11 Sat 19 & Sun 20 March 2011 @ Princes Park #1 Oval Carlton

D’nong 6/182 (J Pattinson 50no, Dickinson 3/38) def Carlton 181 (Buszard 35, Butterfield 3/47)

The previous meeting of theses two sides saw Dandenong knock Carlton out of the 2010/11 comp at the semi finals stage. It wouldn’t surprise me if these two teams meet in the 2011/12 finals. Carlton will be keen to gain a psychological advantage with a win on Saturday. They get the reigning premier at a good time i.e. Siddle and Pattinson J are elsewhere. TIP: Carlton

Geelong (7th) 26pts v Fitzroy Doncaster (8th) 23pts @ Geelong Cricket Ground

2011/12 G’long WWLLLDDWWW F Don WWWWLLDWDL

Last time they met: Round 16 2010/11 Sat 19 & Sun 20 February 2011 @ Schramms Reserve Doncaster

FDon 9/310 (Huntley 81, Hart 4/87) def Geelong 9/309 (dec) (L Buchanan 55, Fagg 2/54)

The Cats are in form and managed to overcome the loss of Finch & Buchanan M to record a marvellous win at Dandenong before the break. The Lions enter this clash minus Mash and Maxwell who are irreplaceable. The home side will start warm favourites and should make it four wins on the trot. TIP: Geelong

 

North Melbourne (17th) 5pts v Frankston Peninsula (5th) 26pts @ Junction Oval St Kilda

2011/12 NM LLLDWLDLDL FP WWLWLWDWDL

Last time they met: Round 16 2010/11 Sat 19 & Sun 20 February 2011 @ AH Butler Reserve Frankston

F’ton Pen 259 (Nankervis 64no, Adams 6/70) def N Melb 118 (Grenville 35, Miller 5/17)

Frankston had Prahran in a lot of trouble early in their last game but couldn’t deliver the knockout blow. They’ll find the going a lot easier against a North side that is mediocre at best. TIP: Frankston Peninsula

 

Camberwell Magpies (6th) 26pts v Ringwood (14th) 11pts @ Camberwell Sports Ground

2011/12 C’well LWWDLWDWLW R’wood WLLLLWDLLL

Last time they met: Round 16 2010/11 Sat 19 & Sun 20 February 2011 @ Russell Lucas Oval Ringwood

R’wood 8/297 (dec) (Osborne 117, Fekete 5/66) def C’well 218 (Howell 69, Holland 4/31)

The Pies have been pretty consistent should take the points at home against a Rams team that despite the efforts of DA King & Topp haven’t been able to replace Gale, Gilmour and Stray, the talented trio all departed at the end of 2010/11. TIP: Camberwell Magpies

 

 

Comments

  1. John Butler says

    Mic, with the Aussies playing ODI’s and tests in the West Indies from mid March, it will be interesting to see if Siddle & Pattinson are allowed to participate in Premier Cricket.

  2. John

    Forgot about the trip to WI. How slack am I ? (I’m on holidays, that’s my flimsy excuse).

    Can’t imagine Siddle or Pattinson J (before injury) getting the all clear to step out on a PC ground. Too bad, wouldn’t mind seeing the Panthers go back to back.

    MCR

  3. John Butler says

    Mic, there’s nothing slack about these PC updates.

    They’re way more comprehensive and informative than anything in the press.

    This would be one more small example of how the vaunted structure of Australian cricket gets eaten away by international demands now.

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