By Will Hunter
@Will_Hunter89
Listen back to this week’s The 5th Quarter podcast, featuring Lyndale President Ed McLean as the special guest, in the player above.
ROUND 7 REVIEW
Mordialloc 16.9 (105) def Cheltenham 3.12 (30)
The Bloods have tightened their grip on top spot following a percentage-boosting 75-point win over a disappointing Cheltenham at Ben Kavanagh Reserve.
The Rosellas were outclassed from the word go as Mordialloc extended their lead at every change. The game was largely decided by half time, but the Bloods really hammered home their advantage after the long break booting 10.2 to Chelt’s 1.10, which further highlighted the difference in class between the two sides.
Speedy winger Nathan Evans was in everything for the winners, finishing with two goals and a stack of possessions in a best on ground performance.
Mordi big man Sean Van Velsen returned to form with his best game for the year in defence, while Jordan Derbyshire and Hamish Curtis were also prolific through the midfield.
Positive performances were much harder to find for the Rosellas on what was a forgettable day for the club.
East Malvern 16.10 (106) def Dingley 6.12 (48)
The Panthers have continued their good form and solidified their flag credentials with a commanding 58-point victory over Dingley at the Zoo.
The hosts were simply too good in all facets of the game and set up their victory following a dominant first half in which they kept the Dingoes to just one goal. By that stage, their lead was 37 points, and the result was largely a formality.
Dingley rallied with five majors in the third term to bring the margin back to 23 points by the final change, but a stunning six-goal final term saw off the visitors’ challenge and helped East Malvern cruise to their fifth win of the year.
There were winners all over the park for the Panthers, with Adam Collinson and veterans Steve Brewer and Ryan Mullett among the stars. Alex Hywood and Marc Lonergan topped a list of 11 individual goalkickers with three majors each.
For the Dingoes, Lucas Walmsley, Joel Sarlo and Josh Ferguson led the resistance.
Port Melbourne Colts 8.8 (56) def by Bentleigh 9.9 (63)
In the closest match of Round 7, Bentleigh staved off a fast-finishing Port Colts to claim victory at JL Murphy Reserve by seven points.
The visitors made a fast start, booting the only three goals of the first term to hold an early advantage. It proved to be a decisive lead, as the Colts fought hard to make up the difference for the remainder of the afternoon.
He home side used the narrow confines of Portress particularly well and sent a scare through the Demons as they reduced to deficit to a single-digit margin in the final term. However, Bentleigh managed to hang on and secure a gritty victory.
Mitch Smart was again a dominant force in the ruck for the victors, while Michael Rogers and Jack Firns were also industrious. Chris Johnson did the damage up forward, booting three goals in his side’s win – his best return for the year.
Max Mitchell-Russell finished with three goals to be named the Colts’ best ahead of Lew Mildenhall and Jake Wood.
St Kilda City 11.6 (72) def by St Pauls 13.15 (93)
The Dogs have returned to form, snapping a two-game losing streak with a terrific 21-point triumph over the high-flying St Kilda City at the Peanut Farm.
It was far from an ideal start, with the Dogs booting six straight behinds to open their account while up the other end, the Saints had three goals to their credit within the first 15 minutes. But the visitors found their range late in the first term, booting three goals of their own to take the slenderest of leads into the short break.
The second term saw St Pauls lift their intensity and build their lead, which by three quarter time stood at 22 points and left City with all the work to do in the last. It proved a bridge too far, with the Dogs running out comfortable winners.
Young pup Dino Karamoshos was superb through the middle, but had plenty of support in Kieran Knox and Curtis Murfett, while up forward Matt Kreymborg and Lachie Butler finished with seven snags between them.
Troy Parker booted a bag of five for the vanquished Saints, with Nick Perry, Aaron Purvis and Cam Hansen all having a major impact on the contest.
Oakleigh District 14.17 (101) def Chelsea Heights 10.8 (68)
The Oaks proved too good for Chelsea Heights at Princes Highway Reserve, running out winners by 33 points in skipper Brody Hodic’s 100th game.
A six-goal opening stanza set the tone for the day, with the home side streaking clear to an insurmountable 58-point lead by the final change.
A spirited fightback from the Heighters saw them add five majors in the final term to restore some respectability to the scoreboard, but the day belonged to the Districts as they claimed their second win of the season to hoist themselves off the bottom of the ladder.
Hodic was one of the star performers for the Oaks in his milestone match, while Paul Fermanis and Jake Mullen were unstoppable in the front half, sharing seven goals.
Nathan Herrington, Jordy Peryman and Peter Gerard fought hard for the undermanned Chelsea Heights, with star defender Harry Czarnecki booting three majors in a new role up forward.
