By Jason Barbin
@JBarbin10
ROUND 2 REVIEW
A potential grand final preview yielded an intriguing result to headline Round 2 action in the Southern Football Netball League in the Division 2 competition, while Doveton Eagles continue to surprise.
Keysborough 9.18 (72) def Murrumbeena 7.6 (48)
The premiership favourites when down in a blaze of glory in Round 2 with a strong second half from the visitors spurring them to their second straight win.
Keysborough was simply too good for Murrumbeena, booting six goals to two in the second half, including keeping the host side goalless in the final term.
Chris Bryan made it seven goals from two games to top the score sheet for Keysie, with James Anwyl and Damian Collins among the best.
A strong start in the first half from Murrumbeena saw it overcome an eight-point quarter time deficit to lead by eight at the half time break.
From there it was all the Burra however, as they booted home four goals to two in the third to take a five-point lead at the final change, before another two goals in the last secured a 24-point win, which could have been more if not for inaccurate kicking.
Dechlan Turkington and Thomas Valenta were named Murrumbeena’s best.
Caulfield 16.8 (104) def Hampton 8.16 (64)
The Bears went about their business on Saturday, overcoming a Hampton side which led five points at the three quarter time break.
The visitors had all the momentum going into the fourth quarter, but the home side found their kicking boots and slotted home seven goals to one behind in the last.
Leading the charge for Caulfield was best on ground Tom Heagney with five goals, while Chris Ryall and ruckman Adam Ballard were also impressive.
The Bears enjoyed a strong start to the game, booting three goals in the first term and four in the second to lead by 15 at half time, with Hampton hanging around.
The Hammers then flicked the switch in the third, but were unable to capitalise on several opportunities, kicking 4.8 to two straight goals to only lead by five points at the final change.
Caulfield made them pay for their inaccuracy in the last, slamming home 7.4 to one behind to ultimately cruise to a 40-point win.
Mark Devereaux and Callum White were listed as the visitor’s best.
Mount Waverley 8.4 (58) def Clayton 5.10 (40)
Mount Waverley key forward Caleb Schulz continued to show he’s one to keep an eye on, booting five goals in his side’s 18-point win against Clayton.
In a match where goals were sometimes hard to come by, Schulz made the most of his chances as the Lions pulled away in the final term.
Schulz was named among his side’s best with Jamil Tye named best on ground alongside Ben McLeod and Ethan Tobias.
Clayton opened the game in stirring fashion to boot three goals in the opening term, but were held scoreless in the second as Mount Waverley opened up an eight-point lead.
Both sides could only manage one goal in the third term with the lead decreasing to five before the Lions pulled away in the last, with three goals to one to eventually win by 18 points.
Glenn Tuckwell and Lachlan Caine were best on for Clayton.
Doveton Eagles 13.14 (92) def East Brighton 9.11 (65)
A scintillating first half was the key behind Doveton Eagles’ 27-point win against East Brighton at home, though the second half was a cause for concern.
The Eagles booted eight goals to two in the opening half to lead by 40 points at the main break, but conceding seven goals to five in the second half.
Peter Dye and Enayte Samadi combined for six goals in the win, while Nicholas Beer and Nick Battle were named best on ground.
Doveton was flying in the first quarter, kicking five goals to one behind, before adding three goals to two in the second to lead by 40.
To East Brighton’s credit, it refused to lay down in the second half and booted four goals to one in the third to get to within 20 points and a sniff at an upset.
Doveton was able to switch back on in the fourth and held back the Vampires with four goals to three and come away with the win.
Mark Jamieson (three goals) was best on for the visitors alongside Ryan Cosgrave.
Highett 12.11 (83) def Skye 4.7 (31)
Highett has gone about shaking the Jekyll and Hyde tag very nicely in 2018, winning its second straight game with a commanding 52-point win against Skye.
The Dogs set up the win with an eight-goal first half and while the scoring dried up in the second, they only conceded two majors.
Tom Brown showed he can still be considered one of the top players in Division 2, booting four goals in a best on ground performance, while Nathan Scott was also impressive.
In a competitive first half, Highett broke away early to lead by two goals at the first change, before holding Skye goalless in the second, increasing its lead to 41 points.
The Dogs chipped away throughout the second half, kicking two goals to one in both the third and fourth quarters to eventually win by 52.
Daniel Turner and Zach Harland were among the best for Skye.
