By Jason Barbin
@JBarbin10
The Southern Football Netball League had one standalone match played across the Queen’s Birthday long weekend, with premiership hopefuls Doveton Eagles hosting another premiership fancy in Keysborough.
Doveton Eagles 13.18 (96) def Keysborough 10.13 (73)
The Burra’s freefall continued on the weekend, with their third straight loss, this time at the hands of premiership contender Doveton by 23 points.
The Eagles were able to break away during the second half of action, after leading by six points at half time, booting four goals to one in the third.
Darren Sheen was the star up forward, booting five goals in just his second game in Eagles colours, while Russell Robertson chipped in with three majors.
Michael Callinan continued his good form on the field, named best on ground for Doveton, alongside Steven Ognjenovic and Sheen.
The two sides competed hard in the first quarter, but it was Doveton with the early advantage, booting three goals to two to lead by eight points at the change.
Keysborough begun to win more ball across the ground and peppered it inside 50 during the second term, but wayward kicking resulted in only three goals from eight scoring shots, trimming the margin to six points at the main break.
Unfortunately the match was held up for around 30 minutes early in the third term following a sickening collision that saw Burra midfielder Damian Collins knocked out cold. Collins was taken by ambulance to hospital, where he was later cleared of serious injury.
Doveton resumed control of the match after play restarted, and finished the third term with four goals from 10 scoring shots while restricting Keysborough to just one major, which extended the lead to 28 points at the final change.
The Burra had one last role of the dice during the final term and was able to hit the scoreboard with three goals, but the Eagles responded with three of their own to hold on to a 23-point win.
Troy Cullen was listed as Keysborough’s best in the result, alongside Chris Bryan (three goals).
