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Gentlemen, see below my mid-season review. Please keep in mind they are my personal opinions and shouldn’t reflect that of the CVSFC. I am wrote this for two reasons, one to keep the C2 Posts on here interesting and to give us something to chew on, and two because it kills time on my boring Sunday.

Happy Reading!


1 Canning Vale (C2) 8 - 1 - 32pts
2 Carlisle (C2) 8 - 1 - 32pts
3 Thornlie (C2) 7 - 2 - 28pts
4 Bassendean (C2) 6 - 3 - 24pts
5 Mosman Park (C2) 4 - 5 - 16pts
6 Warnbro Swans (C2) 3 - 6 - 12pts
7 Coolbinia West Perth (C2) 3 - 6 - 12pts
8 Noranda (C2) 3 - 6 - 12pts
9 SNESA (C2) 2 - 7 - 8pts
10 Swan Valley (C2) 1 - 8 - 4pts



Canning Vale – 8-1

Only Loss – Thornlie in Round 1 (worth noting they did have more scoring shots that day)

Having won three flags in their first three seasons, being top of the ladder is an all too familiar position for Canning Vale. With our current record and on the back of a current 8-match winning streak, the Cougars from Canning Vale would hope for a Top 2 finish from here.

Canning Vale play a hard running style of footy, with a great spread. They have a miserly defence and a few forwards capable of 4-5 goals on their day.

With their Reserves side currently sitting 5th and their Colts sitting 7th at the half way mark, they are in a strong position going forward. We do have a couple of League worthy guys running around week to week in the Two’s who could easily stand up and fill in for the League should their depth be tested. With a lot of young guys in the top side, I would think that some of those guys would be getting a rest where they could by playing a game of Colts (which also qualifies them for Colts Finals should the Colts progress further like last season)

My Prediction: Top 2 Finish

Carlisle – 8-1

Only Loss – Canning Vale in Round 8 (worth noting they were in front all day here and lost in the final term)

Coming up from C3 last season, the reigning Premiers were the powerhouse team of the competition through Rounds 1-7 before being knocked off by their Cougar rivals. The Cougars from Carlisle would hope for a Top 2 finish from here.

Having not seen Carlisle, I dare not comment too much, but I hear they play a similar hard running style of footy, with a great spread the same as their Cougar counterparts.

Carlisle are statistically the strongest club in C2 by far. With their Reserves side currently sitting 1st and their Colts also sitting 1st at the half way mark, they are in a strong position going forward. They look to have great depth in their Two’s and their Colts sides. After seeing first hand Canning Vale having a good start last season then fading away as the bigger and stronger opposition took their toll on the young bodies, which in my opinion would be the only shadow above Carlisle. Looking at their depth though, I wouldn’t think they would have a problem.

My Prediction: Top 2 Finish

Thornlie – 7-2

Only Losses - Carlisle Round 2 & Mosman Park in Round 7

Coming down from C1 last season, the Lions have much to prove. They are a proud ex-SFL club and know how to win games of footy. Currently, they are the only team to knock off league leaders, Canning Vale. I would think they will be hoping to at least hold onto 3rd position and the double chance (if not higher) going forward.

The Lions play a hard, inside brand of footy and like to move the ball long and quickly to give their big forwards every opportunity when they go forward. An ex-Sunday League mentality for sure. I would think they could be vulnerable on the counter attack or against sides with more pace.

Again, Thornlie are another statistically strong club. With their Reserves side currently sitting 2nd and their Colts sitting 3rd at the half way mark, they are in a strong position going forward. Only question mark I have on the Lions is their loss to the enigmatic Mosquitoes in Round 7 which perhaps shows a minor chink in their armour. Thornlie, a proud club will be a force come the end of the season.

My Prediction: 3rd – 4th

Bassendean – 6-3

Losses to – Canning Vale in Round 3, Carlisle in Round 4 & Thornlie in Round 6.

Having only lost to teams currently placed above them, Bassendean seem to be cruising at the moment and perhaps could be a dark horse come the second half of the season. When one thinks Bassendean, one thinks ‘Yarran’. As much as one player can’t win a game, he certainly is a massive X-Factor for the Swans and they would be loving the fact he has been cleared home. Going forward I would think they would be looking to chase 3rd position and the double chance.

The Swans play an exciting brand of footy, they are not afraid to throw their bodies around. They have a supremely talented forward who they look for at almost every occasion. One would think that stereotypically, the mental side of their game could be tested at times, but the coach seems to have the Swans quietly going about their business thus far.

The depth at Bassendean may be questionable, with their Reserves side currently sitting 7th and their Colts sitting 5th at the half way mark. Their Colts are supremely talented, but come the pointy end of the season one would hope they aren’t lacking in a few wiser heads who are still able to step up should the call come. The Swans will be there and there abouts come the end of the season.

My Prediction: 3rd – 5th

Mosman Park – 4-5

Losses to – Noranda in Round 1, Swan Valley in Round 2, Canning Vale in Round 4 & Carlisle in Round 5, Bassendean in Round 9

The most enigmatic side in the competition by far. Last season, Mosman Park lost their first 4, only to win their next 8 on the trot. One must question the Mosquitoes when they have lost to two of the bottom three sides. However, they are a dangerous side when they are on, as Thornlie found out in Round 7. If they can get their act together, they are capable of aiming for a Top 3 position, but realistically, I would think the main aim from here would be to finish in the 5.

The Mosquitoes are unique this year by style as they play both hard running and hard inside footy, but probably aren’t the ‘best’ at either types in comparison to the other sides. Much the same as Warnbro, they rely on their skills as they go forward and like to hit players up on the lead. I would think they almost lack a ‘Plan B’ when coming up against the out and out running teams.

Unlike other teams pushing for finals, statistically, Mosman Park seriously lack depth with their Reserves side currently sitting 9th and their Colts sitting 8th at the half way mark. The question would be whether the current talent they have can stay on the park and whether they can gain some consistency going forward. The enigma – I can never write them off.
My Prediction: 4th - 7th

Warnbro – 3-6

Wins against – SNESA in Round 1, Swan Valley in Round 4 & Noranda in Round 5

I was expecting big things from Warnbro this season, they were a powerful team last season. Currently on a 4 match losing streak, one would think things do look bleak for the second ranked Swans side. They haven’t beaten any side above them this season, and have lost to Coolbinia who are on par with them at the moment. Realistically, I would think at best they would be aiming for 5th position and a spot in the finals.

Warnbro have a unique playing style as they play a very strong version of ‘The Press’, and they play it as deep as anyone I have ever played against. From personal experience, their defenders aren’t overly athletic and they tend to try and wrestle you for the ball, perhaps making them vulnerable to a small forward kicking a few goals. I would think they are also susceptible to having goals kicked against them on the rebound. Last season they had extremely good skills, I am not sure if they have lost some players in the guts, but they do have a star forward who looks to have been starved of opportunity thus far this season.

However, the Swans are another statistically strong club. With their Reserves side currently sitting 3rd and their Colts sitting 4th at the half way mark, they are in a relatively strong position depth wise, going forward. The question for them is whether they can start getting wins on the board against the top sides in the competition.

My Prediction: 5th – 7th

Coolbinia-West Perth – 3-6

Wins against - SNESA in Round 4, Swan Valley in Round 7 & Warnbro in Round 8

The Dark Horses. Coming down from C1 last season, CWP seem to have found some form of late. After a slow start, and with an important win against Warnbro AND a good showing against league leaders Canning Vale, there must be plenty of optimism going into the second half of the season. I would think the CWP lads will be aiming to put in some good shows against the top sides, maybe snatch an upset win or two and beat all sides below them and hopefully forcing themselves into the 5.

Haven’t seen much of their game to comment on game style. However they look to be a tall side with some nuggety in and under midfielders.

Much the same as Mosman Park, and unlike other teams pushing for finals, statistically, CWP seriously lack depth with their Reserves side currently sitting 8th and their Colts sitting 6th at the half way mark. The same question would be whether the current talent they have can stay on the park and whether they can gain some consistency going forward. Obviously have some talent running around having come from C1, but still, the question marks are there.

My Prediction: 5th – 7th

Noranda – 3-6

Wins against – Mosman Park in Round 1, CWP in Round 2 & Swan Valley in Round 3.

Oh didn’t the arrogance come prematurely from a couple of bloggers from the promoted side from C3? After three impressive wins in the first 3 rounds, all the talk was around the Hawks. Since then, they have crashed hard and they have lost their last 6 matches on the trot. Having seen first-hand how hard it is to come from C3 to C2, injuries do take their toll and that seems to be the issue down at Lightning Park (as they say). From here, I would expect them to still try and make finals, but realistically, I would think it could be a long second half of the season for the Hawks and they should simply be doing their best to stay in C2.

Having a plethora of $uper$tar$ last season, I can imagine that the Hawks game plan might’ve had to be altered in 2014. They do however have a couple of silky midfielders who need to be kept an eye on (Number otherwise they can tear you to shreds. Other than that, they have a few too many passengers for my liking, and their defencemen lack accountability.

One thing in their favour is their remarkable depth, the Hawks have 5 Senior Sides this season and statistically, that makes them a strong club. With their Reserves side currently sitting 4th and their Colts sitting 2nd at the half way mark, they are in a relatively strong position…. BUT one would suggest by their recent form that the ‘quality’ of their depth is what needs to be questioned. If what they are saying is true, and they are being screwed by injuries, I would hope those injuries are not long term, so this proud club can again be competitive in this grade – and as a recent post shows, they are extremely happy and proud of their efforts to even be in this grade.

My Prediction: 8th – 10th

SNESA – 2-7

Wins against – Noranda in Round 6, Swan Valley in Round 9

Struggle-town for the Saints. The Saints surprised everyone in 2012 when they beat Ellenbrook to gain promotion to C2 for 2103. They did reasonably well last season, and were thankful that Kenwick and Manning were in the grade. In 2012, they had quite a few handy players and two VERY good forwards capable of turning games on their own. Since then, one of those forwards has retired and the other one was seriously injured last week. In saying that, they always play with plenty of heart. Their new coach this year will instil more of that fighting spirit and hardened ‘never say die’ attitude. Avoid relegation at all costs would be their plan for the second half of the season.

They play a hard running game style and with lots of young legs on the park, this will suit them against certain opponents but again, the lack of class within their squad will be shown as the season wears on.

The Saints are statistically the worst team in terms of depth. Their Reserves are sitting 10th at the half way mark and they don’t have a Colts side this season. Ben Harris being injured is massive, as he was the one player IMO who could perhaps save them from relegation. The Saints can only play each week with the cattle they have, and the question will be whether that cattle will be good enough to keep them from relegation this season.

My Prediction: 8th – 10th

Swan Valley – 1-8

Only Win – Mosman Park in Round 2

The honourable side. Swan Valley are a proud club full of a great bunch of blokes. They fought hard to stay in C2 last season and they will again. They have beaten Mosman Park – although it was way back in Round 2. Their big problem is they are prone to having BIG scores kicked against them. I would think the only option for them this season would be to continue to fight to stay in the grade and avoid relegation. Wins against Noranda and SNESA in the second half of the season are paramount.

The Valley play a similar brand of footy to Mosman Park, but probably lack the class to execute it as well. If conditions suit and they are ‘on’, they may steal the odd win, but other than that, it looks like a complete lack of depth and class is their problem. In saying that, they do have a few classy players running around.

Statistically, my theory is backed up here with the Valley seriously lacking depth with their Reserves side currently sitting 6th and their Colts sitting 9th at the half way mark. It will be an interesting second half of the season for the Valley as they fight for survival.

My Prediction: 9th – 10th

Nice write up LAG. It has been an interesting season so far. It is looking like the top three are almost set for finals action but it will be interesting to see how the middle of the table pans out.

Looks like yarran may have help up forward as it looks like andy krakouer has applied for a clearance from west Perth!!

Great work LAG
Good read

Leggo33 wrote: Looks like yarran may have help up forward as it looks like andy krakouer has applied for a clearance from west Perth!!

You serious Leggo? How do you get to see this? If that is the case a very big tick for my club.

confirmed by the clearance page on the waafl

MASSIVE recruit.

That would surely put Basso as out an out Favorites

Nice write up LAG.

Krakouer and Yarran back into Basso changes my end of year prediction significantly.

1. Basso (1-3)
2. Carlisle (1-3)
3. CV (2-4)
4. Thornlie (2-4)
5. Mosman Park (5-7)
6. Warnbro (5-8 )
7. CWP (5-8 )
8. SNESA (7-10)
9. Noranda (8-10)
10. Swan Valley (10)

Basso takes first place now with ridiculous star power adding to an already strong backline. The 2 up forward will be near on impossible to stop.
Carlisle and CV were a toss of the coin, but in the 2 games I have seen CV play, Damo was a major reason that they were so dominant. A player of that quality is hard to replace. Best wishes on the recovery for Damo, but CV will definitely miss him.
Thornlie had one off game in 9 rounds and it cost them. If they are able to find the same consistency as they did in the other 8 games, for the rest of the season, I would not be surprised to see them leapfrog CV and Carlisle.
Mosman Park are an up and down side, but their good is very good.. I expect them to scrape into the 5.
CWP and Warnbro... the 2 biggest unknowns. Hit their straps and Mossie Park will be pushed out of the 5. Lose a few players and SNESA will be there to pounce and claw their way out of relegation danger.
SNESA had a deplorable first 4 rounds. After looking at WAAFL team lists, there were more than 10 changes to the league side from those 4 rounds and they are very competitive now.
I think SNESA will scare a few teams, even without Ben Harris at FF, but their depth is a concern and they will lose more than they will win. I don't believe they are a bottom 2 side however.
Noranda are in injury trouble which explains their slide, but I am not sure you can just get a player or 2 back and burst back into a quality team. They have the cattle to play good footy, but I am not sure if it will come in time to save them from a bleak run home. (Swan Valley game in round 12 is a must win)
Swan Valley.. by far the weakest team in the grade. Good players all over the park but no GREAT players and that seems to be their only (and very major) downfall.
Struggles against a powerful forward line and pushes numbers up the ground to help put a score on the board but gets punished hard on the turnover.

Awesome write up LAG.
Good to read on a cold wet day like to day.

also just wanted to add a all the best asnd speedy recovery to you young bloke from your club after reading the article in the paper this morning.