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ROUND 14 REVIEW
A thrilling comeback from Murrumbeena, an improved performance from cellar dwellers Clayton and a dominant performance from Doveton Eagles’ star Russell Robertson were the clear highlights of Round 14 in Division 2.
Murrumbeena 13.10 (88) def Highett 10.19 (79)
Murrumbeena has made it an incredible 12 wins in a row following a gutsy final quarter comeback against a somewhat wasteful Highett outfit.
The Dogs will be ruing their missed opportunities, missing 19 of their 29 scoring shots while also conceding seven goals in the final term after leading by 24 points at the final change.
Highett kicked two of the first three goals of the final term and lead by 30 points at one stage, only for Murrumbeena to rattle off six unanswered majors to come away with the nine-point win.
Harley Ambrose was inspirational with his efforts during the comeback and was named best on ground, while the likes of Cory Hargrave (two goals) and Tommy Valenta were also impressive, along with Eduardo Espinosa who booted three goals.
Highett was in control right from the start, holding Murrumbeena scoreless while putting 3.7 on the board to lead by 25 points.
The Beena hit the scoreboard in the second, registering four majors to another three from the Dogs to cut the lead to 22 points by half time.
The game was played on an even keel during the third, with each side kicking two goals which resulted in a 24-point lead for the home side.
Murrumbeena had plenty left in the tank however and surged home in the last, booting the last six goals of the game to win by nine.
Yianni Pasialis was names best afield for Highett, while Mitchell Hoar booted three goals.
Keysborough 14.12 (96) def Skye 8.3 (51)
After a wasteful start to the game, Keysborough was able to comfortably account for Skye on its home deck, winning by 45 points and also moving back into the top three.
Booting 1.5 in the opening term, the Burra trailed by a point at quarter time, but kicked 13.7 to 6.3 the remainder of the game.
Chris Bryan resumed his role of the dominant forward for the Burra with six majors while former captain Ryan Goodes was best on ground alongside Tim Werner.
Inaccuracy in front of goal was costly for the home side during the first term, where it trailed by a point, before a strong second quarter saw them add five goals to one to jump ahead by 18 points.
The momentum continued going Keysborough’s way in the second half, as it piled on nine goals to five the remainder of the way to come out with a 45-point win.
Marc Frizell and Joel McConville were listed as Skye’s best.
Hampton 13.9 (87) def Mount Waverley 8.7 (55)
Hampton moved to within one game of the top five following a decisive 32-point victory against Mount Waverley.
The Hammers led from start to finish with a nine-goal first half setting up their sixth win, after being on the end of two straight defeats.
Three players finished with three goals for the victors, led by best on ground Mark Devereaux and Luke Hayes, while James Gascard also hit the scoreboard.
Hampton started strong booting the first five goals of the game to settle into a 25-point quarter time lead, which stretched to 35 by half time after outscoring Mount Waverley three goals to one in the second.
The Lions were able to hit back slightly in the third, booting two goals to one, cutting the margin to 33 points, but were unable to make more significant progress into the deficit in the last, going down by 32.
Michael Dennis was named the Lions’ best alongside Philip Schulz.
East Brighton 12.7 (79) def Clayton 8.5 (53)
East Brighton ended with a somewhat comfortable 25-point win to move it within two games of fifth place, but it didn’t have it all its own way against Clayton.
The Clays put together arguably their best performance of the season to date and stuck with the Vampires throughout the game.
Ryan Stringer was named best afield for the victors, alongside leading goal kicker Mark Jamieson (three goals) and Kai Love-Linay.
In a hard-fought opening term, it was Clayton which held the lead at the first change, booting two goals to one, before a five-goal second term for East Brighton put it on top by 14 points at half time.
The Vampires were able to pull away from the Clays in the third, stretching the lead to 27, but to Clayton’s credit it fought out the last quarter with aplomb and outscored East Brighton to cut the winning margin to 26.
Christian McCrae was best on ground for Clayton, while Jack Gavin booted two goals.
Doveton Eagles 24.24 (168) def Caulfield 5.5 (35)
Former AFL star Russell Robertson was a one-man wrecking ball for Doveton during its 133-point thumping of Caulfield, booting 15 majors.
Robertson was the clear best on ground performer in the win but received able support from the likes of Nick Battle, Darryl Thomas and Matt Neve.
The Eagles were in complete control from start to finish, booting 13 goals – from 30 scoring shots – to one in the first half to lead by 85 points.
The hosts added another 11 goals to four in the second half to go on and win by 133, maintaining top spot on the ladder.
Patrick Kelly and Jake Buggy were listed as Caulfield’s best.
@JBarbin10
