ROUND 16 REVIEW
Round 16 of Division 2 saw the top titans of the competition clash in a top of the table battle, with Doveton Eagles coming away with a comfortable victory against Murrumbeena, while the top five has a new entrant with Hampton coming in at the expense of Caulfield.
Doveton Eagles 12.11 (83) def Murrumbeena 8.7 (55)
Doveton has regained its spot on top of the Division 2 ladder with an inspiring second half leading them to a 28-point win.
The Eagles trailed by 12 points at half time in what was an entertaining contest, but six goals to one in the third term put them on top.
Russell Robertson was the primary threat inside 50, finishing with four goals, while Cameron Carmody, Enayte Samadi and Cory Wilson were among the best.
The two sides were on level pegging during the first term, both booting 3.2, before the Beena broke away in the second, registering three goals to one to go out to a 12-point buffer.
Doveton switched on in the third and went up another level, slamming home six goals to one in reply to take a 24-point lead into the final break.
Murrumbeena had its chances to garner some momentum, but some wayward kicking was costly at times as Doveton scored two goals to one to run out winners.
Hampton 23.15 (153) def Clayton 6.10 (46)
Hampton is inside the top five for the first time this season following a devastating victory against Clayton at home.
The Hammers dominated across the majority four quarters, with seven players finishing with multiple goals, led by Michael Ashman with six majors and James Gascard with four.
Gascard was named best on ground for Hampton, alongside David West (three goals), Ashman and Mark Devereaux (three goals).
Hampton put the game just about out of reach during the first term, slamming home nine goals from 10 scoring shots, restricting Clayton to one behind.
While the Clays won the second quarter, kicking 2.7 to 2.2, the rest of the game belonged to the Hammers, who piled on 12 goals to four in the second half to win by 107 points.
Playing coach Jayden Gilmour piled on five goals for Clayton, while Jack Gavin was named best afield.
Keysborough 14.8 (92) def Caulfield 9.7 (61)
Keysborough has maintained its hold on third spot on the ladder following a decisive 31-point victory against Caulfield, knocking it out of the top five.
After a tight first quarter, the Burra were able to break away from the Bears in the second, but the visitors hung around enough to make it a solid contest.
Chris Bryan showed he’s one of the best key position players in the league with a five-goal haul for the hosts, with Glenn Tempany booting three.
Bryan was named among the best alongside James Anwyl and Luke Domato.
The two sides piled on the goals in the opening term, with Keysborough leading 4.1 to three straight, before the hosts surged further ahead in the second, kicking four goals to one to lead by 25 points at half time.
Caulfield stole back some momentum in the third, cutting the lead to 18 points with a three-goal term, but in the end Keysborough was just too good, with four goals in the last sealing the win.
James Backway booted three goals for the Bears with Joel Grimmond named their best.
Highett 20.13 (133) def Mount Waverley 11.14 (80)
Highett kept the pressure on Keysborough in the battle for third spot with a 53-point victory against Mount Waverley in a high scoring affair.
The Dogs rarely looked troubled throughout the contest, able to continuously edge further ahead of the Lions despite both sides scoring freely.
Kyle Hendy and Ed Turner each kicked four goals for Highett, which had six players kick multiple goals, with the pair joined by Yianni Pasialis as the best players.
Highett broke away early in the game, slamming home eight goals from 13 scoring shots to go 40 points ahead, with Mount Waverley cutting the margin back to 33 points in the second term.
Inaccurate kicking cost the Lions in the third, with the Dogs taking their chances to go 43 points up by three quarter time, before sealing the win with a six-goal final quarter.
East Brighton 18.13 (121) def Skye 8.10 (58)
East Brighton’s finals hopes remain well and truly alive after a commanding 63-point drubbing of Skye at home, leaving it a game outside the top five and with a stronger percentage.
The Vampires led by just seven points at quarter time, but were able to pull ahead in the second quarter, before consolidating the win with an 11-goal second half.
Mark Jamieson finished with four goals to lead East Brighton, with Kai Love-Linay and Ryan Stringer joining him among the best players.
A three-goal to two first quarter gave East Brighton the early lead, which it was able to extend to 29 points in the second term, courtesy of a four-goal period.
The Vampires capitalised on their momentum in the third, piling on another six goals to put the game out of reach, before kicking five in the last to seal the win.
Chase Allan and Aaron Harper were listed as Skye’s best.
@JBarbin10
