Listen back to this week’s The 5th Quarter podcast, featuring Hampton FNC Football Operations Manager Brad Timms as the special in-studio guest, in the player above.
ROUND 14 REVIEW
Chelsea Heights 2.8 (20) def by East Malvern 15.6 (96)
The Heighters have proven no match for East Malvern, going down by 76 points at Beazley Reserve.
In doing so, the Panthers snapped a three-game losing streak that had threatened to derail its premiership aspirations.
The hosts failed to trouble the scorers in a dismal opening quarter and managed just two goals for the entire day in another disappointing home performance as East Malvern maintained a comfortable advantage for the contest’s entirety.
While the Panthers just did what they needed to do, their seven-goal final term inflated their margin of victory and should replenish the side’s confidence heading into next week’s crunch clash against the Dingoes.
Ryan Mullett played a key role in the victory, booting four goals, while Xavier Linton also added four for the third week in a row. Tom Stephenson was also a standout performer in just his second game up in the senior line up.
Joel Williams and Jordy Peryman were Chelsea Heights’ best.
Mordialloc 4.9 (33) def by St Kilda City 16.10 (106)
St Kilda City have powered to its best win of the year, thrashing the ladder leaders by 73 points at Ben Kavanagh Reserve.
Despite Mordialloc entering the clash on the back of an 11-match winning streak, the Saints were not overawed by the challenge in an impressive display of four-quarter footy.
Their running power and slick ball movement cut a swathe through the midfield as City extended their lead at every change, before finishing with seven goals in the last quarter to cap off a flawless performance.
While there were no passengers for the Saints, Shem Tatupu starred in a best afield performance that included four goals. Ryan Carroll (three goals), Oscar Don and Ray Lengyel where among the others to impress.
For the Bloods, Robbie Evans celebrated his recall from the reserves with a fine display that saw him named the side’s best, while Buddy Spohn and Tim Kovess also shone.
Bentleigh 5.1 (31) def by Dingley 19.12 (126)
What should have been a day of celebrations for the Demons fizzled into bitter disappointment as Dingley handed them a 95-point drubbing at Bentleigh Reserve in their 1000th senior competition match.
Aside from the milestone, this was a critically important game in the context of the season, with fifth spot up for grabs for the winner.
The Dingoes grabbed the ascendancy from the opening bounce, but a dominant second term that yielded 6.4 to 0.0 blew the game open.
In the end, six scoring shots to 31 highlighted the carnage as the reigning premiership sent an ominous warning to the rest of the competition that they are not done with yet.
Chris Horton-Milne seemed to have brought his own footy on the day, so often was it in his hands, while Daniel Farmer topped the goalscorers list with a bag of five. Rob Rusan and Kane Davidson were also prolific and slotted three majors each.
Mitch Smart and Chris Yenofkian were the shining lights on a day in which multiple Demons had their colours lowered.
Cheltenham 21.16 (142) def Port Melbourne Colts 7.10 (52)
Over at Jack Barker Oval, Cheltenham continued its run of form with a tremendous 90-point demolition of Port Colts to keep itself in finals contention.
The undermanned Colts’ made a surprisingly competitive start to the contest, and with just five points separating the two sides late in the second term, there was little indication of the massacre that was to follow.
But as half time approached the Rosellas clicked into gear, booting two goals late in time on to head into half time with a 16-point advantage.
Upon the resumption, Cheltenham simply ripped apart the contest, booting 12 unanswered goals to blow Port off the park in a devastating showcase of its finals credentials.
Sean McLaren returned for his first game since Round 8 and didn’t miss a beat, slotting three goals in a BOG performance for Cheltenham. Teammate Josh Fox did the bulk of the damage on the scoreboard bagging six snags while Jack Barclay and Brendan Dillon were also influential.
Cal Cathcart, Jake Wood and Gazi Assi (three goals) were best for the Colts.
St Pauls 10.16 (76) def Oakleigh District 8.5 (53)
The Doggies have claimed outright top spot on the ladder following their hard-fought 23-point win over the Districts at the Kennel.
It was a heartening display from the visitors, who, despite going in as underdogs, were highly competitive for the first three quarters.
Oakleigh District kept their opponents goalless in the second term as they went into the sheds five points to the good. St Pauls then wrested back control of the match in the third term, but their inaccuracy kept Oakleigh in the hunt at the final change.
As they have done all season, the Dogs finished full of run, with a five-goal last quarter finally sinking the gallant Oaks.
Connor Byrne and Lachie Butler dominated all afternoon for St Pauls, while Steve Muller and Matt Kreymborg were the main contributors up forward, finishing with four goals each.
Paul Fermanis again led the way for Oakleigh, with Daniel Spence (two goals) and Simon Black providing ample support.
@Will_Hunter89
