Noranda
League 1st - 8 wins, 1 loss 189.41% (lost to Ellenbrook)
Reserves 1st – 9 wins 269.97%
Some scoffed when I labeled them premiership favourites preseason but they sit on top at the half way mark. They haven’t lost since they parted ways with their coach after their round 3 loss. Some quality recruiting and excellent depth (indicated by the reserves table topping position) have them primed for a run deep into the finals. They have been there / done that last year, so don’t expect any stage fright once the home and away season is over.
Carlisle
League 2nd – 7 wins, 2 losses, 173.10% (lost to Noranda & Ballajura)
Reserves 2nd – 8 wins, 1 loss, 198.39% (lost to Noranda)
Well positioned at the hallway mark and like Noranda, have the depth to keep a strong side on the park every week. A top 3 spot and the second chance is what they would have aimed for preseason and they look like they will earn it the way they are going. They were involved in a called off game but were awarded the points – should make for an interesting return fixture.
Ellenbrook
League 3rd – 7 wins, 2 losses, 146.70% (lost to Carlisle & Nollamara)
Reserves 3rd – 6 wins, 3 losses, 320.99% (lost to Noranda, Carlisle & East Fremantle)
After 2 losses in the first 4 weeks, the Eels season now looks to be back on track. Depth shouldn’t be an issue as with the top 2 sides. Round 11-13 will probably dictate where the Eels can finish on the ladder so we won’t have long to wait. As with most teams, a top 3 spot is crucial come finals time.
Nollamara
League 4th – 6 wins, 3 losses, 121.05% (lost to Noranda, Carlisle & Cockburn)
Reserves 8th – 2 wins, 7 losses, 44.59% (beat Ballajura & Belmont)
After coming up a grade they would be happy to be sitting in the 5 at the halfway mark. Their biggest area of concern would be the fact they have only beaten 1 of the other top 5 sides, the lack of depth in the reserves and that they had a game called off. You would think that they can repeat the first half of the season and will have a good run towards finals.
Cockburn Lakes
League 5th – 5 wins, 4 losses, 98.91% (lost to Noranda, Carlisle, Ellenbrook & Dianella)
Reserves 5th – 5 wins, 4 losses, 137.06% (lost to Noranda, Carlisle, Ellenbrook & East Freo)
After a dismal year in C2 last year, they would have planned on a finals assault this year. At the half way mark they are in contention but will have to keep Dianella & Ballajura at bay. They have had a few recruits come in but still seem to be lacking the key forward that most others sides possess. Their backline is pretty effective and should stop most teams from trying to beat them in a shootout.
Dianella Morley
League 6th – 4 wins, losses, 1 draw, 96.84% (lost to Noranda, Carlisle, Ellenbrook & Nollamara, drew with Ballajura)
Reserves 6th – 5 wins, 4 losses, 90.44% (lost to Noranda, Carlisle, Ellenbrook & Cockburn)
Just outside the 5, the next 2 weeks could define their season. They play Cockburn and Ballajura, the 2 sides they are fighting for 5th position with. Their ressies are in the same boat needing to beat Cockburn this week to keep their finals dream alive. A lot of work has happened off field with the formation of the colts and the work that has happened to the club rooms. The initiative of providing drinks for the opposition sides is also a winner in my eyes. Now they need to transfer the off field positives into on field wins.
Ballajura
League 7th - 4 wins, losses, 1 draw, 91.67% (lost to Noranda, Ellenbrook, Nollamara & East Freo, drew with Dianella)
Reserves 7th – 2 wins, 7 losses, 62.34% (beat Belmont & Armadale)
I thought they would still be around the mark this year but seem to have dropped off slightly. They will need to win more games than the sides above them because their % isn’t the best. Of real concern is their reserves – thought they would be a strong unit and good feeder for the league side this year but it doesn’t seem to be the case.
East Fremantle
League 8th – 3 wins, 6 losses, 73.10% (beat Ballajura, Armadale % Belmont)
Reserves 4th – 6 wins, 3 losses, 179.63% (lost to Noranda, Carlisle & Dianella)
Another year of missed finals for Easts but they should do enough to avoid relegation – beating Armadale & Belmont should be enough this year. Their reserves seem quite strong and have a couple of older heads running around providing on field leadership. I think they’ll be the dark horse come finals time with the chance of players qualifying once the league side is out of the danger zone.
Armadale
League 9th – 1 win, 8 losses, 58.62% (beat Belmont)
Reserves 10th – 1 win, 8 losses, 23.46% (beat Nollamara)
A proud old club but the writing is on the wall – wins games quickly or C4 next year. They seem to have a lot of clearances out this year which probably has led to the short term pain. On the other hand, a lot of the ins are coming from Junior leagues – keep them playing together for the long term gain. Hopefully they take some confidence out of last week’s win but the second half of the season might drag on for them.
Belmont
League 10th – 9 losses, 48.78%
Reserves 9th – 1 win, 8 losses, 23.46% (beat Armadale)
Nothing is going right for Belmont and they look to be following Brentwood’s double relegation act from last year. The last half of the season could be difficult as they struggled for numbers on the track in a similar situation last year. They only need to look at Brentwood performance this year to see what may happen if they can stick together.
