Local footy 2019: Six senior clubs chasing perfect regular seasons

As we countdown to September, six local clubs in Melbourne metropolitan competitions are on the cusp of a remarkable feat — an undefeated home-and-away campaign.

Keilor locks horns with Pascoe Vale in the EDFL this season. The Blues are undefeated under coach Mick McGuane in 2019. Picture: Jamie Morey

It doesn’t guarantee premiership success, but the sustained excellence required to complete an undefeated home-and-away season should not be underestimated.

These clubs have maintained their standards during the winter months and there is little doubting they will have their eyes on a bigger prize in coming months.

Some are competition powerhouses, one has made an immediate statement in a new competition, while others are looking to make amends for a heartbreaking end to 2018.

These are the clubs with unblemished records in the senior ranks as we countdown to September.

Keilor is looking to atone for last year’s grand final loss to Aberfeldie. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Keilor (EDFL Premier Division)

Run home: Airport West (H), Aberfeldie (A), Greenvale (A), Essendon Doutta Stars (H), Maribyrnong Park (H)

The Mick McGuane-coached Blues have defied a potentially crippling injury toll to be 13-0 with a percentage of 174.90. Keilor, runner-up last season, is the best attacking side in the competition, with spearhead Dean Galea enjoying another standout season. Ex-AFL pair Nick O’Kearney and Damien Cavka has played just five games between them in 2019, but the Blues have enviable depth as they chase their first flag since 2016. Games against Aberfeldie and Greenvale will be the main dangers to their hopes of a perfect home-and-away campaign.

Justin Sherman has guided Laurimar to the top of the ladder. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Laurimar (NFL Division 3)

Run home: Bye, Panton Hill (H), Mernda (A), South Morang (H)

Laurimar declared during pre-season that it was far from satisfied with last year’s maiden finals appearance. In their second season at senior level, the Power rose from eighth on the NFL Division 3 ladder to finish fourth before succumbing to South Morang in the first week of finals. Coached by former Western Bulldogs and Brisbane Lions midfielder Justin Sherman, Laurimar is 13-0 in 2019 and two games clear on top of the ladder. The club’s undefeated run was threatened in close wins over Mernda (four points), Panton Hill (one point) and South Morang (seven points) — the three opponents it will tackle in the run home — but the Power deserve premiership favouritism.

South Belgrave forward Leigh Odermatt in action for the EFL Division 3 pacesetter. Picture: Field of View Sports Photography

South Belgrave (EFL Division 3)

Run home: Chirnside Park (A), Waverley Blues (H), Whitehorse Pioneers (A)

South Belgrave enjoyed a fruitful off-season of recruiting and is living up to the pre-season hype, carrying a 15-0 record and a massive percentage of 374.30. The Saints have won six games by more than 100 points this season, signalling their intent by handing out four beltings in the opening six weeks of the season. Rival coaches have wondered whether they can be beaten. Well, it’s unlikely to be in the home-and-away season, with South Belgrave facing three of the competition’s bottom-four sides before it turns its attention to a finals campaign.

Lachlan Baddeley has been one of Sunbury Kangaroos’ stars in 2019. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Sunbury Kangaroos (EDFL Division 2)

Run home: Burnside Heights (H), Coburg Districts (A), Moonee Valley (A)

Such has been their dominance, some have wondered if the EDFL put the Sunbury Kangaroos in the right division after the club opted to switch from the RDFL. The Kangaroos were all the talk over summer after an impressive recruiting campaign and have justified the hype with a 12-0 record (they have had three byes after Jacana withdrew from the competition earlier this year) and an eye-popping percentage of 329.55. Anthony Leydin’s side has won four games by triple figures, hammering struggling Keilor Park by 285 points on Saturday. While they face the other three teams in the top four in the run home, there is a strong possibility they will complete an undefeated season.

James Perrin has been a key to Whitefriars’ 13-game winning run. Picture: Hamish Blair

Whitefriars (VAFA Division 2)

Run home: Bye, Power House (A), Ivanhoe (H), Bulleen Templestowe (A)

No one has got close to Whitefriars this season, with the club three wins away from a perfect regular season. Yarra Old Grammarians went down to the ladder-leader by 47 points in Round 5 in the closest match, underlining the Friars’ dominance under coach Kristen Height. The club has a 13-0 record, a percentage of 279.66 and has appeared unstoppable so far. Bulleen Templestowe (fourth) is the highest-ranked team Whitefriars meets in the remaining rounds. Available evidence suggests they will be lifting some silverware in September.

Jack Gray gets a kick away for Williamstown CYMS in last year’s preliminary final. Picture: James Ross

Williamstown CYMS (VAFA Premier C)

Run home: PEGS (A), Ormond (H), Old Ivanhoe Grammarians (A), Mazenod (H), Marcellin OC (A)

The CYs have no shortage of motivation in 2019, having finished minor premier last season with a 16-2 win-loss record before a heartbreaking straight-sets finals exit. The club lost to eventual premier Fitzroy by three points in the major semi-final before going down by a solitary point to Old Geelong in the preliminary final the following week. This season Williamstown CYMS has powered to 13-0 with a percentage of 200.41. The run home includes clashes with top-four co-tenants Ormond, Old Ivanhoe Grammarians and Mazenod. Old Ivanhoe pushed the CYs in a five-point loss in the opening round, but they scored emphatic wins over Ormond (59 points in Round 7) and Mazenod (39 points in Round 2).

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