The Championship Men's competition is heating up as teams continue to battle it out. Wyndham has surged to the top of the ladder with an impressive 5-1 record, led by standout performances from some new faces. However, the season has been far from predictable, with unexpected twists and turns shaping the landscape of the league. Whilst we sit about one third of the way through the season; let’s take a closer look at the current standings and the performances of the teams vying for glory.
Wyndham sit on top of the ladder after round 5, a move not so shocking for passionate followers of this competition. Despite suffering their first loss of the season at the hands of Bellarine over the weekend, dedicated Wyndham supporters need not fret. With April's Coach of the Month, Lucas Allen, at the helm, there's every confidence that he'll rally the team for a strong comeback, ensuring they reclaim victory this upcoming weekend. Import duo Myles Thomas and Troyce Manassa have shone brightly for this team, but it is Oskar Jones who is their leading scorer, with an impressive average of 19.33 points per game.
Initially grouped among the teams labelled "Are They Ready?" in the season preview, Keysborough has emphatically answered with a resounding "Yes," currently occupying the 2nd spot on the ladder with a commendable 5-2 record. An early highlight would have to be securing a victory against reigning champions McKinnon on the road; a significant achievement for Keysborough. The two losses have come at the hands of Sunbury and Hume City, currently positioned 5th and 6th on the ladder respectively, losses that may hurt them in the fight for playoff positioning. Ahead lies a challenging stretch for the Cougars, facing off against Bellarine, who are riding high after defeating Wyndham last weekend, followed by a road trip to Shepparton and a clash with the formidable Wyndham outfit the following round. Gerrard Newby's consistent performance will be vital in giving Keysborough a fighting chance in these upcoming battles.
Now turning our focus to the mid-tier group of teams, McKinnon, Pakenham, Sunbury, and Hume City all hold 4-2 records, completing our top 6. It's worth noting that this year's finals series only accommodates the top 5 teams.
The reigning champions McKinnon, have showcased their resilience this season, navigating through a few challenges along the way. Despite stumbling against Wyndham and Keysborough, top teams on the ladder, McKinnon remains a formidable force in the competition. Led by local captain Mitchell Barry, who nearly averages a double-double with 10.17 points per game and 9 assists per game, the Cougars are asserting their status as contenders once again. Adding to their strength is the stellar performer Adam Anderson, contributing an impressive 23 points per game, alongside Steve Wooten, who maintains a scoring average of just over 20 points per game.
The fresh faces from Pakenham have joined the Championship men’s league this season and are proving their worth with a solid 4-2 record, placing them in fourth position. They kicked off their debut with impressive wins against Hume City and Blackburn in the initial rounds, but faced stiffer challenges in the following three rounds, resulting in a split of victories. Leading the charge is star import Malik Colvin-Seldon, who currently stands second in the league with an average of 24.5 points per game, greatly bolstering Pakenham's lineup. Their upcoming match against Wyndham at Eagle Stadium presents a significant challenge, serving as a test to determine if they can contend with the league's elite and potentially make a playoff push in their inaugural season.
Despite being labelled as "unknowns" in the season preview, Sunbury has swiftly proven that they should not be underestimated, emerging as contenders for the playoffs this season. The Jets have been engaged in closely contested battles in recent rounds, with their last four games all decided by margins of fewer than 10 points, facing both high and low-ranked teams. Leading the charge in scoring for Sunbury is Joshua Yorke-Frazer, who averages an impressive 23.83 points per game. Additionally, opposing teams would do well to steer clear of the defensive prowess of young talent Dylan Cheyne, who boasts an average of just over one block per game, effectively protecting the rim.
Hume City is making an impressive climb up the ladder with a four-game winning streak, rebounding from a shaky start to the season where they dropped their first two games. Following significant personnel changes during the offseason, including the departure of their entire starting lineup from 2023, it was understandable to see them struggle initially. However, Broncos fans need not fret, as the team is now finding its stride and heading in the right direction. Scott Stone and Malik McKinney are spearheading the scoring efforts, both averaging over 20 points per game, while Trevon Clayton is dominating the boards, currently ranking third in the league with an average of 11.4 rebounds per game. The upcoming stretch of three tough games will serve as a crucial test, providing insight into the team's progress as they approach the midway point of the season.
Just below our mid-tier group of teams you will find Bellarine, Shepparton and Melbourne University, teams of which have only been able to find the winners column 3 times so far.
Bellarine aims to build momentum following their victory over the dominant Wyndham team last weekend, as they prepare to host second-placed Keysborough in an upcoming matchup. A win in this crucial game would unequivocally signal to the competition that Bellarine is hitting their stride and emerging as a team to watch in the coming weeks. The addition of standout recruit Kavione Green during the offseason has proven to be a game-changer for the Storm, with Green currently boasting impressive averages of 21.67 points and 12.33 rebounds per game. Despite finishing with a 3-18 record in the 2023 season, Bellarine has demonstrated early signs of significant improvement, raising the question of whether they can make a push for a playoff berth this season.
The Shepparton Gators, Division 1 Champions in 2023, have proven their ability to compete against formidable opponents, particularly in the early rounds of the season. Despite facing tough matchups against Wyndham and McKinnon, they showcased their quality by keeping the games close and even leading at halftime. With a balanced scoring distribution among their starting five, each averaging over 10 points per game, the Gators display offensive depth. However, their roster depth may pose a challenge, as they only have eight players in rotation. The question arises whether they can maintain their performance in crucial late-game situations. Round 7 presents a significant test with a tough double-header weekend against Keysborough and McKinnon, but beyond that, the path to the mid-season break appears relatively smooth for Shepparton.
Sitting in ninth place, Melbourne University has experienced a season characterised by ups and downs, resembling a roller coaster ride. Their games have followed a pattern of win-loss-win-loss, with a recent loss in their last outing, does this indicate a potential victory for the Black Angels this weekend against Bellarine? Centre Liam Killey has been a stalwart in protecting the rim, averaging 1.4 blocks per game in limited playing time, while Nicholas Masunda and Ricardo Time lead the team in scoring, both averaging over 20 points per game. Despite facing a slightly challenging schedule leading up to the mid-season break, the Black Angels appear poised to secure at least two wins, which would bring their season total to five victories.
Wrapping up the ladder standings, we find Camberwell and Blackburn occupying the tenth and eleventh spots, each with one victory to their name. Trailing behind is Western Port, positioned in twelfth place and still seeking their first win of the season.
Despite preseason optimism about their scoring prowess, Camberwell finds themselves struggling to put points on the board, ranking second to last in the competition with an average of 82.5 points per game as a team. Some recent injuries to big name recruits hasn’t helped that cause either. Their lone victory came with a modest score of 79 points, highlighting the ongoing challenge of scoring for the Dragons. Newcomers Christopher Elder and Luke Liesegang have shouldered much of the scoring burden, averaging respectable totals of 19.2 and 17 points per game, respectively. Facing formidable opponents in Wyndham and McKinnon this weekend presents a tough challenge for Camberwell. The question looms whether they can overcome their scoring woes and achieve a winning score against these powerhouse teams.
Blackburn secured a crucial victory in their last game, edging out Melbourne University in a thrilling contest that came down to the wire. Offseason import standout James Legan has emerged as a bona fide superstar for the Vikings, shouldering the bulk of the scoring load with an impressive average of 30.33 points per game. However, the contributions of second import Kortland Martin cannot be overlooked, as he adds significant firepower with an average of 20.83 points per game. Additionally, Anthony Kimble, recently acquired after his release from Western Port, has made an immediate impact, averaging 20.5 points in just two appearances for the Vikings. With these three players forming a formidable trio, Blackburn poses a significant challenge for opponents. However, beyond these key contributors, the team's depth may present a concern moving forward.
Occupying the bottom rung of the ladder, the Western Port Steelers are grappling with significant challenges this season, struggling to secure victories. Following a second-to-last finish in 2023 with a 3-18 record, it appears to be another arduous campaign for the squad from Somerville. Demonstrated by losing to Hume City by only an end of game fadeaway from Kennan Gorski, there are promising signs that a breakthrough win may be within reach. Leading the scoring charge for the Steelers are Liam Ingram and Paul Brotherson, both boasting averages of 19 points per game, while big man Russell Permenter is delivering consistent double-double performances with 16.83 points and 10.17 rebounds per game. It's inevitable that Western Port will notch a win at some point this season; the question remains which team will be on the receiving end of their triumph?
As the Championship Men's competition progresses, each team is facing its own set of challenges and opportunities. From Wyndham's dominance at the top to Western Port's quest for their first victory, the competition is fierce and unpredictable. With every round played, the ladder is shifting dramatically and the contenders for playoff positions shifts. Looking ahead to the remainder of the season, one thing is certain; the standard has lifted, the bar has been raised. We predicted that this was the toughest Big V Championship Men’s competition for some time and if games to this point have proven anything; there are lots of contenders in 2024!
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