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Season in Review

A bit of a surprise extra for you all this week.  I thought that with the season now over it would be remiss of me to not end the column for the year with a review of the season that was.  As such, I will now count down my 10 best BHN moments for 2008.

10. A number of players, such as Tommy Gun, No-Doz and Twigs were given the opportunity to show their wares at senior level for the first time in 2008.  While it wasn't exactly a changing of the guard, the ability of these boys to step up to the next level showed some positive signs for the future.

9. I'm sure many of us, myself included, assumed that Lance Keillor's days of kicking bags of goals in the seniors was over.  Well it seems that nobody told Lance, who turned back the clock with 7 sausage rolls in the late season win over Syndal Tally Ho.  He carried that form for the rest year, playing a big hand in the reserves finals run.

8. If at the start of the season you were to ask who were the two players at the club you would not groom as defenders, the names Chris Langley and Rhys Ball might have come to mind, two players who are known for their exploits forward of centre.  On the contrary both played key roles down back this year and should figure prominently in the best and fairest.

7. This very website is one of the best websites in amateur football.  Without wanting to bignote myself, the introduction of Turbo's Friday Preview had a lot to do with this, and provided many a comedic moment and talking point throughout the season.

6. 2008 was the 25th anniversary of Box Hill North, and the dinner held to celebrate this achievement was a great one where past and present came together to reminisce on the past 25 years.  Everyone had fun, perhaps some more than others based on the photos of Carpet that surfaced in the days following.

5. Eley Park are yet to defeat us since rejoining D4, and this year's clash between the two sides kept up that streak, BHN triumphing by a mere 6 points in what was the high point in a year that was probably devoid of too many highlights for the seniors compared to the last couple.

4. The reserves made the finals for the first time since 1995, and they made a big impact.  It was looking like it could be over as soon as it started when they went in down at half time against Richmond Central in the elimination final, however they fought back to win that match by 58 points, followed by a 59-point drubbing of SFX in the semi-final.  The run was ended by Kew in the preliminary final, but the boys should still be very proud of what they achieved.

3. Leon's hanger against Bulleen in round 11 was quite possibly the best mark ever taken in suburban football, and had it been captured on video it would be talked about for years to come.  The downside to this mark was that the landing wasn't as spectacular, with the resultant ankle injury effectively ending his season from a senior football point of view.

2. The reserves showed D4 that they planned to make waves in September with a stirring victory over ladder leaders West Brunswick in round 17.  A barely able to move Dayle Olson starred with 5 goals, and perhaps the highlight of this game was a dribbled goal from the less than graceful Ben Dennison which showed that his claims of having Aboriginal blood in him may actually have some merit.

1. It was very hard to top that win, but the circumstances surrounding the reserves' 8-point win over Richmond Central in round 14 made it worthy of being given the title of the best moment of 2008.  Things were looking dire on the Thursday night prior to the game, with just 15 names on the team list. However enlisiting the help of some Dragons players (who had been overlooked for both Dragons teams that week) as well as the evergreen reserves coach John Hough ensured that we were able to field a side.  With a win required to keep finals chances alive, a classic backs to the wall victory was ground out which showed that if you want it bad enough you can get it.

And so brings to an end season 2008.  Remember to get down to Elgar Park next Thursday at 6:30pm for the AGM, with the first half of the best and fairest vote count included.  And then presentation night, which will take place on October 11 at Box Hill RSL.

Until next year, this is Turbo saying "this exhibit is closed".

Reserves Preliminary Final - Box Hill North v Kew

I am a much more astute football observer than I thought I was.  Either that or I am an untrained expert in human psychology.  If you scroll down slightly you will see that I predicted the first half jitters that occurred against Richmond Central in the first week of the finals would not be repeated in the semi-final against St Francis Xavier.  How right I was.  By virtue of our crushing 59-point victory in that game we now see ourselves up there with the big boys, a preliminary final against Kew in which the winner will earn the right to face West Brunswick in the grand final. 

When I say big boys I mean that literally.  It would be fair to say that Kew are the biggest and most physical team going around in D4 reserve, so beating them will be quite a different prospect than what our previous two finals were, and selection this week left little doubt that the coaching staff believe that softness has no place at the business end of the season.  Kew will go in confident based on their 112-point demolition the last time these two sides met, however just eight of the men who represented BHN on that day will be taking their place in the side this Sunday.  The early stages of this match will be vital and could go a long way in determining the final result, as it is highly unlikely that Kew would keep us in the game like Richmond did two weeks ago.  Start like we did last week and Box Hill North may very well find itself in its first grand final for a very long time.

Until next week, this is Turbo saying "put her back in, she's not done yet".

Reserves First Semi-Final - Box Hill North v St Francis Xavier

Another weekend, another final for the Box Hill North 2s.  It's all getting a bit predictable and boring isn't it?  Well perhaps if last week's elimination final win over Richmond hadn't been 13 years in the making it would be.  But it really has been that long, and as such the boys on the track this week were like kids in a candy shop who had just eaten their first ever handful of sherbet bombs and were hungry for more. 

What was looking like a quick exit at half-time in that game made way for a much better second half and a runaway 58-point victory, a margin which could have been much higher had it not taken so long to settle into the game.  The boys now know what it takes to perform in a final, so you can guarantee that the nervous, uncomposed first half from last week won't be repeated.  Fortunately too, for a 4-quarter effort will be required to overcome the 'Sound Effects' (thanks for that one Carpet), despite the 129-point loss they suffered to Kew last week.  A win by their seniors means a grand final berth is just one win away, so you can be sure there will be 22 opponents trying to impress the SFX selectors for the coming weeks.  A bit of line-up tweaking by the coaching staff has ensured that the 22 out there for Box Hill North on Saturday will be the best equipped to handle the challenge, and hopefully see a repeat of the one-sided affair that eventuated when these two sides met in Round 16 out in the sticks.  A preliminary final against the loser of Sunday's second semi-final between West Brunswick and Kew awaits for the winner.

Until next week, this is Turbo saying "careful, they're ruffled".

Reserves Elimination Final - Box Hill North v Richmond Central

Finals!  Unless you have been living under a rock you would know that the Box Hill North 2s have made the finals for the first time since that famous premiership of 1995.  This Sunday will see Box Hill North take on traditional rivals Richmond Central at Scammell Reserve in Oakleigh, in an elimination final that will mean elimination for the loser (obviously) whilst the winner lives to fight another day and set themselves up for another sudden-death clash against the loser of the qualifying final between Kew and St Francis Xavier. 

The two matches between this week's combatants are split at one apiece, with the 8-point Box Hill North win in round 14 under very trying circumstances right up there as one of the best victories in club history.  Only eight of the players who pulled on the jumper in that game will be suiting up this weekend so this recent clash is probably not an accurate indication of how this match will pan out.  Suffice to say that Richmond's side will be significantly different from the one that played that day as well, so whilst our side looks better 'on paper' than the one that played that day, the 22 that run out this week will need to show the same heart those boys did to get over the line.  The list of guys who have missed a spot in this match is almost as impressive as the list of guys who are in, so those that play have the double motivation of not only helping their side progress in this finals series but also playing well enough to get a game next week ahead of those snapping at their heels.  

Hopefully we can a get big crowd out to Oakleigh on Sunday to support the boys in their quest to stay alive in 2008, if only to witness the exploits of our very own facebook celebrity, Troy 'Coon' Ellis, whose years of toil and passion for this club have finally paid dividends.  If everyone who pulls on the jumper on Sunday wants it as badly as he does, then the result will be a foregone conclusion.

Until next week, this is Turbo saying "don't praise the machine". 
 

Round 18 - Box Hill North v Bulleen

So this is it.  After a pre-season which commenced with some boxing sessions pre-Christmas, to an 18-round regular season with some ups and downs (probably more downs that ups), we come to the final game of the season against Bulleen Cobras at Koonung Reserve.  Historically this hasn't been a happy hunting ground for Box Hill North, who are yet to win a game on the generally smooth, green turf.  The saving grace is that all these losses have occurred in years where Bulleen has finished higher on the ladder, so past results will have little bearing on how this game pans out.  Neither side is in blistering form at the moment - we have a just a solitary victory (over cellar-dwellers Syndal) since round 12, while last week Bulleen were embarrassed by that same Syndal outfit to the tune of 83 points.  All signs point to a fairly ordinary game coming up, but those who have been witness to past clashes between these two sides know full well that both clubs tend to find something extra when facing each other, so we should be in for a fairly hard-fought and entertaining game.  Pride is on the line here, and the winners will celebrate by perhaps doing the Nutbush whilst the losers can please themselves.

The season may practically be over for the 1s, however this is far from the case for the reserves.  Last week's magnificent victory over ladder-leaders West Brunswick sealed a finals berth and sent out a message that Box Hill North 2s plan to have a big say in proceedings throughout September.  Before that however is one more home-and-away game and the opportunity to build on recent form before embarking on the first finals campaign for the 2s since 1995.  The clash between these two sides earlier in the season saw Box Hill North come out on top by 74 points, and if the boys can put together a performance similar to last week that margin may be eclipsed.  As crazy as it sounds, the double chance is still a mathematical possibility, although this will require a 150-point win coupled with a 10-goal loss by SFX against South Mornington.  Based on that, maybe we should be happy to just come away with a win and some good form leading into a probable elimination final against Richmond Central.

Until next week, this is Turbo saying "Taft, you old dog".

Round 17 - Box Hill North v West Brunswick

They say a week is a long time in football.  If so much can happen in the space of just 7 days, how about 9125 days?  Because that is how long this club of ours has been around (25 years for those who hadn't yet worked it out).  This weekend sees the Box Hill North Football Club celebrate its 25th anniversary with a grand dinner at Elgar Park.  Multiple clubs from the area have fallen over in that period of time so this is indeed a magnificent achievement.  So what better way to kick off celebrations than with a win over premiership favourites West Brunswick?  While that task seems a little far-fetched, signs point to this being a closer match than some may anticipate.  When these sides met earlier in the year, West Brunswick were coming into the game undefeated and with a percentage of 341.7%.  As it stands currently they have a 14-2 record with a percentage of 246.8%.  Whilst that is still an impressive record, they are certainly not as dominant as they were earlier in the season.  Add to this the fact that their best key forward in Sudholz recently succumbed to injury while our best key forward in Martini is returning to bolster the lineup, and the task seems slightly less impossible than it did.  The boys that go out there this weekend will be decked out in special brown and gold commemorative 25th anniversary guernseys to pay tribute to all the players who wore that same brown and gold into battle for Box Hill North's first 20 years of existence.  If there was ever a time to have pride in the jumper, this is it.

Last week's victory over SFX has put Box Hill North 2s two games and percentage clear of their closest rivals for a finals berth, so postseason action is almost assured.  But there is still work to be done.  A loss in the upcoming match against West Brunswick will not completely ruin the chances of making the finals, but it will mean a last-round victory is necessary to get there.  On top of this, it is reasonble to expect that they are a side that will make it deep into September, so a performance which shows that any potential finals clash between these two sides would be far from a one-sided affair would provide a vital psychological blow to West Brunswick similar to that dished out to SFX last week.  When you consider last week's results - Box Hill North by 7 goals over 3rd-placed SFX and West Brunswick getting over Eley Park by a solitary goal - this match has the chance to send the competition a message that should Box Hill North 2s make the finals, they will not be there to just make up the numbers.  And let's be honest, how could any side containing the one and only Peter Woods be there to just make up the numbers?

Until next week, this is Turbo saying "you don't have to sue me to get my pants off".

Round 16 - Box Hill North v St Francis Xavier

I'm not normally one for conspiracy theories, however the one I'm going to open up with this week is far too fiendish to be merely a co-incidence.  Cast your minds back to late June when Box Hill North ventured down to the Peninsula to take on South Mornington.  A long trip indeed (especially for those who went to Baw Baw on the way) which would have been much shorter had Eastlink been open.  But no, it wasn't yet complete.  Conveniently though it was ready just one week later.  And now we come to this week's ''Battle for the X II'' (that''s the 2nd battle for the X, not battle for the 12) against St Francis Xavier which will see us take another reasonably long road trip down to Beaconsfield.  Amazingly enough, this game takes place just one week after the tolls on Eastlink kicked in, so the quick, free ride that could have been were this game scheduled one week earlier will now have to be either quick and expensive or somewhat slower and free.  I have little doubt that this is a major conspiracy between the VAFA and Connect East to get a mention in this very column.  Anyways, onto the game.  SFX have wrapped up a finals berth but still have the opportunity to finish 3rd and therefore get the double chance, so they have plenty to play for.  The previous clash between the two sides was a close affair, with Todd Russell and Brant Webb's boys winning by just 3 goals.  With some wild and woolly weather forecast for tomorrow, you would think that the free-flowing, running footy that the X-men are known for may be stifled somewhat, whilst at the same time playing into the hands of the apparently 'workmanlike' BHN side.  Teams who can't make the finals often talk about being able to at least shape them by causing some late-season upsets.  There's every chance that this game could indeed be one of those.

A very important reserves clash is taking place tomorrow.  Box Hill North reserves are in a strong position to take part in their first finals series since 1995, and a win this week would almost certainly cement their spot, 2 games and percentage clear of 6th.  Although SFX took the points last time, the margin was a mere 8 points so there is very little between the two sides. Consider also that a couple of weeks prior to a depleted BHN's famous victory over Richmond in round 14, SFX were defeated by that same Centrals outfit, so the boys from Beaconsfield are certainly not on a different level talent-wise.  SFX have been displaying a bit of inconsistency of late, so the chance to dent their confidence just a couple of weeks before the finals is there.  If cementing a finals berth and gaining a psychological edge over a potential finals opponent isn't incentive enough, the word around the traps is that a certain trainer's other half is going to shout the entire 2s team tickets to the Sex and the City movie if victory is achieved (No, I'm not talking about Kev). If that doesn't get the boys over the line, nothing will.

Until next week, this is Turbo saying "bears can pay the bear tax, I pay the Homer tax".

Round 15 - Box Hill North v Syndal Tally Ho

I''m going to start off with a bit of a whinge this week.  If anybody reads the ''Amateur Footballer'' publication after training on a Thursday night, they will be aware of the piece written by VAFA boss Michael Sholly with regards to D4 football, specifically the competitiveness of some teams compared to others.  Apparently while some clubs have genuine aspirations to reach the higher grades, others are simply "content to play for recreational purposes".  Now I think you will find in tomorrow''s clash between Box Hill North and Syndal Tally Ho, a team that just got knocked out of the finals race and a team that is yet to win a game all year, that neither side is content to play for recreational purposes.  It would be delusional to think that both these teams are playing for any reason other than to win.  To that end, we must ensure that we are switched on, for looking at our recent form Syndal would consider themselves a chance to win this game.  Despite the fact that one of the inclusions for this week''s game apparently resembles Tom Hanks about halfway through the movie ''Philadelphia'', you can be sure that we will not simply roll over and become Syndal''s first scalp for 2008.  Play to our potential and we will continue the winless streak.  Save the ''recreation'' for after the game.

After such a great win by the Box Hill North reserves last week, it is imperative that we don''t rest on our laurels this week and drop this one, as the teams directly beneath us keep winning games also and remain just a game behind. There''s every chance that which teams finish in 4th and 5th spot after round 18 won''t be decided until that last round of games, so every opportunity to grab four points is absolutely crucial.  When a club is no longer in contention for senior finals but their reserves side is still alive, there is the temptation to send a few blokes back to lift the quality of the 2s and artificially lift them to September action, while at the same time depleting the seniors to a point where their competitiveness is noticeably compromised.  Team selection proved that this club is a bit more morally sound than that, and as such the vast majority of players in this week''s side are those who have gotten us to where we sit presently (with the help of Dragon 1 through Dragon 4).  We control our own destiny here, let''s not spoil the opportunity.

Until next week, this is Turbo saying "hello dean, you are a stupidhead".

Round 14 - Box Hill North v Richmond Central

OK, so last week''s loss to Mt Lilydale was probably a game we''d all rather forget.  Probably a good idea to forget about it too, for surely if we dwell too much on that prior to this week''''s game against Richmond Central at Kevin Bartlett Reserve then we will have lost the game before the opening bounce.  Club confidence is at a bit of a low at the moment, however we are still a mathematical chance for finals action so it is still a time for positivity.  Think good thoughts and all that, yeah?  When I think of our performances at KB Reserve I certainly have good thoughts, dominated by the clash in 2006 when Captain Courageous Dan Penny kicked a ridiculous 13 goals.  No, that''s not a typo. 13!  Fair to say if he can do that again then we will probably take the points, but of course it will take a contribution from all 22 players to get over the line.  Now I know Richmond are a bit stiffer opposition than they were back then, but our heartbreaking two-point loss to them earlier this year showed that we can definitely match them.  This Saturday is the time to prove that this is still the case, especially with the inaugural ''Daryl Brunning Volunteers Memorial Cup'' on the line.

A tough ask for the 9 players who will represent the club in the reserves this week.  OK, so we have a few more than 9 but a couple of days ago it did look like the guys who were playing would have two opponents each.  Fortunately however the phones have been running hot and we''''ve managed to scrounge up enough guys to field a side.  Despite the desparation we find ourselves in with regards to numbers there have been worse sides ''on paper'', so there is a realistic chance that we will cement our place in the top 5 and ward off for another week the likes of North Brunswick and Albert Park who are snapping at our heels and baying for BHN Blood.  The boys are playing for the ''''President''''s Cup'''' (I tried to get the ''''Turbo Trophy'''' idea off the ground but support from the higher-ups was quite rightfully non-existent) so there is plenty of pride at stake.  If that''''s not enough motivation then surely the boys will want to win for Pete Non, who was recently involved in a serious motorcycle accident and is currently undergoing extensive rehabilitation - we are there for you Pete.  Everyone needs to get down to KB Reserve tomorrow to support their quest.

Until next week, this is Turbo saying "why must I fail at every attempt at masonry".

Round 13 - Box Hill North v Mount Lilydale

I''''m not going to bother with any of the pleasantries this week, I''''m just going to get straight down to business (partly because I''''m snowed under at work and can''''t dedicate the amount of time I usually do to this column).  It''''s crunch time. There is no doubt about it.  This week''''s game against Mount Lilydale is the most important game so far for season 2008.  Lose this week and the finals window is slammed shut and firmly bolted.  Win this week and not only do we keep our finals chances alive, we also tighten up the competition for not just spot 5 but spots 3 and 4 as well.  We have struggled against this team in the past, Mount Lilydale owning an average winning margin of 60 points in the three wins they''''ve had over us in the three times we''''ve met since they rejoined D4.  They will not be short on confidence, and we all know how fine a line there is between confidence and arrogance when the blokes from Mount Lilydale are concerned.  But with so much to play for, there is no reason for us to not come out firing.  And when Box Hill North come out firing they can be a very dangerous proposition.  The added incentive of Big Bad Bustling Lance''''s 200th game should leave nobody in any doubt as to our intent this week.

With last week''''s crucial victory over fellow finals aspirant North Brunswick in the bag, Box Hill North 2s are currently sitting a game and percentage clear in 5th spot.  However, Turbo has looked at the draw and notices that the boys from North Brunswick have what ''''on paper'''' is an easier draw than we do, so this week''''s game is still a must-win.  Reserves clashes between these two sides are traditionally as one-sided as the seniors matches, but with the result being reversed.  That said, the Mount Lilydale reserves side that will take the field tomorrow is a far tougher proposition than the side that we handed an 180-odd point shellacking to early last year, so we would be foolish to expect an easy game.  In what could possibly be described as a medical miracle, Gags will once again be pulling on the boots a mere two weeks after his most recent appearance.  If that''''s not enough inspiration to come out and consolidate our place in the five, then I don''''t know what is.

Until next week, this is Turbo saying "lumber has a million uses".

Round 12 - Box Hill North v North Brunswick

The spring is back in our step.  Far from becoming disillusioned at three consecutive losses to the leaders of the pack, the last two weeks have seen the boys use what they learnt in those games and beat two of the lower-ranked sides of the competition, keeping their slim finals chances alive.  This week represents another opportunity to not only maintain our ladder position but potentially make up ground on the two other sides vying for that coveted fifth spot in Richmond Central and Albert Park, who both have danger games this week.  We have a danger game of our own in North Brunswick, whose form often belies their ladder position.  The task will be made harder with the loss of the man who many say took the best hanger ever taken at Elgar Park (despite the lack of video or photographic evidence to prove it), but otherwise the team is more settled as its been all year.  With this is mind, and with all due respect to North Brunwick, this is a game where we should aim to at least replicate the 70-point margin of the round 2 clash between these sides if we do indeed see ourselves as finals contenders.

If you want to talk about crunch games, this week''''s reserves clash is the real deal.  The top 4 is seemingly settled but there is one finals spot up for grabs, with two contenders vying for it - and it just so happens that Box Hill North and North Brunwick are these two sides.  Going by the 98-point win we achieved over this mob in round 2, you would expect that this match will be an easy one.  However, North Brunswick''''s 2s have an uncanny knack of putting in much improved performances in the second half of the season.  Now that I think about it, this run of better form often starts at about the time their 1s are out of finals contention.  But I''''m sure that''''s just a coincidence.  Regardless, the importance of this game cannot be understated so the boys will no doubt be doing all they can to end our hoodoo at Allard Park and get one step closer to September action.

Until next week, this is Turbo saying "you''''ve been eating that sandwich for a week, I think the mayonnaise is starting to turn".

Round 11 - Box Hill North v Bulleen Cobras

Rejuvenated.  It is a beautiful word, especially when it can be applied to our season after the successful road trip (via Mt Baw Baw) to South Mornington last week.  This has happened at exactly the right time, as our opponents this week just so happen to be the team we enjoy beating more than any other - Bulleen Cobras.  Unfortunately beating Bulleen has not been a habit of ours.  They have had the wood on us in our time in this league, spoiling our dreams and invading our nightmares on a number of occasions.  We revelled in their ''''re-building'''' phase last year, cruising to a 75-point victory at home.  That re-building has come somewhat to fruition, with the Cobras putting in some much better performances than what they produced in 2007.  No doubt that some of that Cobra arrogance has returned, which would make victory tomorrow all the more sweeter - stay in the hunt for a finals berth while shattering their confidence at the same time.  This would certainly be a great lead in to tomorrow nights "School''''s Out" function.  It''''s probably fortunate we do have a function tomorrow night, otherwise we would hear endless calls from a particular debutant of "let''''s go to Famous, dude".

I get the feeling that the overriding theme for the reserves clash tomorrow will be ''''The Return of Gags''''.  That''''s right, the great man has finally physically recovered from the game against Kew to force his way back into the side.  This has created great excitement amongst the playing group, most notably Turbo who was told to be "very careful" when mentioning that very name in this very preview.  It is vital the most is made of Gags'''' presence, as it will be at least four weeks before he is ready to pull on the boots again.  Whilst the Bulleen 2s are currently sitting last on the ladder with a 1-9 record, that will have little bearing on the outcome of this game.  Off our guard just a touch and they will no doubt grab the bull by the horns and ride us into the ground as they have done a number of times.  I can''''t see us being off our guard though, as an opportunity to bury Bulleen is one that is too good to pass up.

Until next week, this is Turbo saying "that midget taught me a lot about his native Estonia".

Round 10 - Box Hill North v South Mornington

Technology is a marvellous thing, isn''''t it.  Thanks to the wonders of wireless internet I am able to write this from the comfort of my hotel room at Mt Baw Baw, which I decided to hire a day early prior to our season-defining match against South Mornington seeing as it is such a long trip out here to make on a Saturday morning.  Now my knowledge of geography is pretty good, and I was fairly certain that Mt Baw Baw was not located on the Mornington Peninsula.  But after being assured by Stifler and Ginger that I was incorrect,  I find myself here in this lovely chalet.  Anyway, onto the game.  We are yet to lose to South Mornington since they entered the VAFA, the two encounters last year resulting in our 2 biggest wins of the season - 77 points at home in round 1 and by 109 away in round 13.  It is fair to say we were in much better form on those occasions than we are at the moment so this will by no means be a walk in the park.  South Mornington have conceded some big scores in last few weeks though, so if we can overpower our youthful opponents this could be the perfect opportunity to break the shackles and make a charge at the finals in the second half of the season.

The twos find themselves in an interesting situation.  Five losses on the trot including a 116-point demolition at the hands of West Brunswick last week, yet we are still sitting 5th on the ladder and if the season ended now Box Hill North reserves would be playing finals football for the first time since entering the VAFA.  As it stands it will require a huge reversal in form to arrest the current slump, so while it is nice to say we are currently in the five, there are a great number of sides snapping at our heels who are probably in better form at the moment.  South Mornington is indeed one of these sides, and having won last year''''s game here by 80-odd points, they will be confident of overtaking our position on the ladder.  Its not the Box Hill North way to lie down without a fight, and there is no better time to prove that than this game.

Until next week, this is Turbo saying "this is just your memory, I can''''t give you any new information".

Round 9 - Box Hill North v West Brunswick

Hello, readers, its Turbo here after a 2-week layoff with the next edition of Turbo’s Friday Preview.  I’m sure you’re all expecting something pretty special considering I’ve had two weeks to create this masterpiece, but to be perfectly honest I’m lacking a bit of passion this week.  How can you blame me though, as the West Brunswick side we play on Saturday is from all reports the best team to ever grace a D4 field, and getting within 100 points of football’s version of Don Bradman’s 1948 ‘Invincibles’ can be considered a pretty good result.  So I have every right to be a bit negative this week, right?  Wrong!  Stuff That.  The ‘experts’ were saying the same things about St Mary’s last year and look what happened to them – the only way they could get out of D4 was to merge with a club in a higher grade.  So while 8 wins, zero losses and a percentage of 341.7 is somewhat impressive, there is no such thing as an unbeatable team.  We have shown in the last few weeks that we can match it with the top sides, now is the time to step it up a notch and take the four points against a more-fancied opponent.  It is time for the league to be shown that West Brunswick is in fact beatable.

The twos also face a very tough task this weekend, as the West Brunwick reserves side has a similar record to their senior counterparts, albeit with a percentage of 625.9.  We certainly showed signs in the game against SFX that at our best we can take it up to the top sides.  I doubt West Brunswick paid much attention to this result as they would almost certainly be expecting a walk in the park like they have had in every game so far this season.  Box Hill North reserves gained something of a reputation in 2007 for beating teams who were above them on the ladder.  This has failed to eventuate so far in 2008 but this week is the ideal time to start.  The only spanner in the works I can foresee is Turbo’s reluctance to tackle someone wearing a Collingwood jumper.  If this can be overcome then we could be in for a very interesting match.

Until next week, this is Turbo saying “dental plan…Lisa needs braces…dental plan…Lisa needs braces…”

Round 8 - Box Hill North v St Francis Xavier

Thank god its Friday, because that means its time for another edition of Turbo''''s Friday Preview.  The string of big games continues (does anyone else get the feeling that every game is a ''''big'''' one?) when we take on St Francis Xavier, newcomers to D4.  SFX have started their D4 career like a house on fire, dropping just the 1 game to Kew.  This is somewhat interesting as it just so happens that we very nearly stole a win against that very same Kew outfit just last week, so with a number of handy inclusions coming into the side this will by no means be a walk in the park for the boys from Beaconsfield (not sure where Beaconsfield is exactly but I think its even more ''''country'''' than Lilydale, if you know what I mean).  This is a must-win game for Box Hill North to keep our finals hopes alive.  And as if that isn''''t enough motivation the last word goes to Plunks, an abstract thinker to match it with the best of them.  And I quote: "They are the only other team in D4 with an X in their name.  We have to beat them so we can own the letter X".  Need I say more.

A similar story in the 2s this week, where a win over higher-ranked opposition is needed to stay in touch with the top teams.  Being away last week I obviously didn''''t see the game but from what I hear Gags didn''''t quite do enough to keep his spot.  The overall depth improvement when blokes comes back into the 1s generally filters down into the 2s, and as such we will this week see a 2s team more closely resembling that which took the field in the first four rounds.  It will be interesting to see how the forward line functions considering the combined weight of the 6 that were named would put an NRL front row to shame.  Perhaps some crumbing from an unnamed wingmen will be the order of the day?  The SFX 2s have a similar win-loss record to their ones, albeit with some much closer results, so its fair to say that they may have gotten away with a couple that they could have easily lost and are therefore vulnerable if they have a down week.  Hopefully for us that down week is now and we can capitalise and catapult ourselves back into finals contention.

Until next week, this is Turbo saying "when a fire starts to burn, there''''s a lesson you must learn - something, something, then you''''ll see, you''''ll avoid catastrophe".

Round 7 - Box Hill North v Kew

Howdy folks, Turbo here.  And back due to popular demand (or, more accurately, the fact that nobody has said to me that last week’s effort was utter crap) is Turbo’s Friday Preview.  A massive game this week as we travel out to Kew to take on, surprisingly enough, Kew.  A win is vital here to stay in touch with the leaders.  This will be a tough game as Kew have only dropped one game so far this season, and that was to the unbeaten and from all reports unbeatable West Brunswick.  There is little history between the two sides as 2004 was the only season in which both teams have competed in the same grade.  If memory serves, Kew took out both of those games comfortably, however Box Hill North is a vastly different outfit than it was way back when so you can’t read too much into past results.  On form Kew go in warm favourites, but neither side knows a great deal about the other so perhaps the team which works out the other first may be the team which gets over the line.  Taking this into account, it would be stupid to expect me to pick a winner in this one so if that’s what you’re after then you’re in the wrong place.  That’s not an invitation to stop reading though. 

Normally a team sitting in fourth on the ladder with a 4-2 record would think they are going pretty well, but at the moment that is not the case with Box Hill North reserves.  Two losses on the trot has seen the momentum gained from the first four rounds all but evaporated, so a win to boost confidence and morale could not come at a better time.  Kew have gained a bit of a reputation around the VAFA as a club that takes great pride in the performance of their twos, so this will be a very difficult match to win.  Depending on who you speak the task will be made all the more difficult or slightly easier as Turbo (who now likes to speak in the third person apparently) will be a notable absentee.  Blame (or thank) Tiger Airways and their ridiculously cheap airfares.  Regardless, if we can get back to something resembling the form displayed in the first four rounds we are a big chance here. 

Until next week, this is Turbo saying “don’t use the touch of death on your sister”.
 

Round 6 - Box Hill North v Richmond Central

Hello and welcome to Turbo''''s Friday Preview, the first of what will become a weekly feature on boxhillnorthfc.com.au.  This week''''s clash sees us take on Richmond Central in what is sure to be a blockbuster.  We''''ve had the wood on the boys from KB Reserve in recent times, with the Demons taking out the last five matches between the sides with an average winning margin of close to 80 points.  However last year''''s match at the famed Punt Road Oval saw just a 25-point margin, and results from the first five rounds of 2008 show that the Centrals are one of the form sides of D4 at the moment, so don''''t be fooled that this will be one-sided affair.  The key to our hopes may rest with stopping the ''''Big Fish'''' who single-handedly tore South Mornington apart with 10 goals last week.  Richmond will go into this match with plenty of confidence, so we will need to be on our game if we are to come away with the chocolates*.  With this match starting at 2pm on Saturday, Elgar Park will be the place to be seen this weekend.  Remember to stick around afterwards for a Pure Blonde with Desie.

The 2s have a similar record over Richmond in recent times and we will be keen to atone for the debacle that was last week''''s loss to Eley Park by keeping that winning streak alive.  The sight of No-Doz on the track this week surely instilled some excitement in the boys which will hopefully be taken into this week''''s game.  This is tipped to be another close match, and the result may just depend on which BHN 2s team rocks up - the one that won the first four games or the one that capitulated against the Sharks.  I''''m sure our friends down at KB disagree with this point!  There is only one way to find out - get down to Elgar Park at 11:40am this Saturday to be in the know.

Until next week, this is Turbo saying "shut up and eat your pinecone".

*The winner of the match will not actually receive any chocolates.