IS Wentworth the real deal in 2022?
After a COVID-hit couple of years, we can finally start to feel excited about finals footy again in the SFNL.
The stakes are high and the pack is starting to split, with three teams already looking certain to play finals footy this year in the likes of Wentworth, Irymple and Ouyen United.
However, the final spot in the top four is still wide open, with every week is a must win for the middle group of teams in the competition.
Unfortunately we can already count out the likes of Red Cliffs, Mildura and South Mildura playing finals footy in 2022. However, they can help shape the final four, and no team can underestimate the importance of games against these teams in the back half of the season.
The teams with the most to play for in the last six rounds of the season are Robinvale Euston, Imperials and Merbein. And as Mildura proved only a week ago by defeating the much more fancied Merbein, the bottom three sides can change the course of a team’s season should they be underestimated. Should one of the middle group of teams on the ladder drop a game against a side in the bottom bracket from here on in, it could mean that its season is over!
For my first column however, I want to focus on who I believe is the frontrunner for this year’s flag, Wentworth.
Wentworth sits comfortably atop of the SFNL ladder without having been defeated all season. It has come off a bye last round and will this week face a desperate Merbein playing for their lives in season 2022.
Of all the teams in the competition I see Wentworth as the most complete side across all three zones across the ground.
Up forward they have the goal-kicking machine in their coach, Wade Hancock.
However, don’t be fooled into thinking he is the only avenue to goal for the Roos.
The likes of Jackson Ferguson, Jordan McKinnon and Aaron Duck are enough to give any backline nightmares. Should the ball move quick enough into the forward line, any player that finding themselves defending one out against any of these options will not have an easy time.
Nick Jensen is the barometer for Wentworth. He controls the midfield most weeks with first use of the ball for their classy midfield led by the likes of the Cottrell cousins, Chirchiglia, Carter, Davison and young gun Sam Cumming.
Their backline is as solid as a team could hope for, led courageously by the Wall brothers and the explosive Cleve Westley (who in my opinion is having his best year of senior footy).
Wentworth is the complete package, it has a strong spine from deep defence right to the goal line in attack. It is structured well, and each player understands the role they play in the team.
They have a great understanding of their game plan and dominate the contested football around the ground as well as being able to link up, find space and move the ball quickly when needed.
The most impressive part of Wentworth, however, is their depth.
Over the past few rounds they have been tested through injury, and the young players introduced into their line up have not let coach Hancock down one bit. In fact, trying to squeeze the likes of McKinnon, Davison, Behr and co. back into the line-up will likely be the toughest decision Hancock and the selectors will have to make in the coming weeks.
Who to drop? I can honestly say no player comes to mind to be considered to make way for the returning stars.
And that healthy competition for spots internally is what makes Wentworth the flag favourites coming into the pointy end of the year for me.
