Division 3 Round Review

By Andrew Paloczi
Twitter@Apaloczi




Listen back to this week’s The 5th Quarter podcast, featuring Oakleigh District President Rick Nagliati as the special in-studio guest, in the player above.

ROUND 11 REVIEW


Hampton Park 6.8 (44) def by Endeavour Hills 6.10 (46)


Conditions were miserable at Robert Booth Reserve, but the contest was fierce, albeit low-scoring.

Endeavour Hills overcame a slow start with an inspired third term proving decisive against home side Hampton Park.

The Falcons trailed until Jarrod Marolla’s moment of inspiration late in the third term.

17 minutes in, he nailed Jackson Philpin in a tackle, winning a holding the ball call.

Marolla took full toll, his accurate kick putting Endeavour Hills a goal ahead.

Hampton Park could have restored its lead almost immediately, but mustered just a behind.

Falcon Jason Davies then produced a moment of magic at the other end.

45 metres out, in tumbling rain, Davies snapped truly from the boundary line sending the SFNL radio commentators into a frenzy of excitement.

By the final change, Endeavour Hills enjoyed a 13-point advantage.

Hampton Park coach Jason Chapple urged his players to show greater commitment.

Zak Hogton gave the Redbacks hope with his third goal of the contest, eight minutes into the final stanza.

That cut Endeavour Hills’ lead to a manageable nine points.

A couple more behinds edged the Redbacks closer and they continued to attack.

However, a 50-metre penalty enabled the Falcons to clear the danger zone and they took the ball forward for a behind of their own.

Hampton Park surged again.

Redbacks’ forward Nathan Carver completed his return to the side with a juggling mark and goal, his second major for the day.

That came a little too late, with the siren signalling the end of the Redbacks’ hopes and a two-point Endeavour Hills’ victory.

The radio boys named Endeavour Hills’ Andrew Vella their player of the day.

They also praised the efforts of Daniel Soar who toiled well in the ruck, despite being a little undersized for the position.

Reece Smart and Shannon Henwood were solid contributors for the narrowly outgunned Redbacks.

 

Black Rock 8.8 (56) def by Heatherton 9.15 (69)


Although a bitterly cold and windy day, there was surprisingly little rain at Black Rock as the Jets hosted Heatherton.

The Tunners arrived confident after almost toppling Black Rock last time the sides met.

However, the Jets were quickly on the scoreboard with a goal to skipper Tom Dalton.

The strong wind favoured Black Rock and the Jets seemed likely to seize a substantial lead by quarter time.

Although the Tunners failed to goal against the wind, they trailed by just 18 points at the first break.

Heatherton cut the Jets’ lead to 7 points by half time.

Black Rock doubled that advantage by the final change, but it appeared insufficient with the visitors coming home with the wind.

So it proved when action resumed, with the Tunners wasting little time assuming control.

Dashing redhead Ben Clark-Henry continued his rich vein of form for Heatherton.

Seven minutes into the final term he backed himself, taking a bounce and nailing his shot on the run.

That major gave Heatherton the lead for the first time in the game.

Chris Knight could have put Black Rock back in front soon after with a goal, but his behind proved to be the Jets’ final score.

Heatherton recorded a well-deserved 13-point win.

For the third time in his last four games, Clark-Henry topped the Tunners’ best players list.

He finished with two majors, as did teammate Chris Tosin.

Playing just his second game for the Jets, ruckman Sam Nickless again looked the part.

 

Ashwood 9.7 (61) def South Yarra 7.8 (50)


On home soil, top-four side Ashwood was strongly favoured to account for second-last-placed South Yarra.

Although the Magpies didn’t set the world on fire in the first three terms, they won each of those quarters and led by 27 points at the last change.

Upon the resumption of play, South Yarra rapidly set about making inroads into Ashwood’s lead.

Three Yarras’ goals in ten minutes slashed the Magpies’ advantage to just 10 points.

Paddy Carroll’s goal a couple of minutes later gave Ashwood some relief, but South Yarra hit back with another major.

That was still three minutes short of time on commencing, leaving time for the Yarras to post a famous victory.

However, an Ashwood behind was the only remaining score for the game.

The Magpies won by 11 points with Jake Chapman their best.

Dale and Paddy Carroll combined for seven of the side’s nine goals.

Ruckman Gary McDonagh was also prominent for the winner.

Co-captain Scott Stegehuis led by example as the Yarras’ best whilst Cory Brady was their only multiple goal scorer with three.

 

Springvale Districts 18.20 (128) def Hallam 3.2 (20)


Springvale Districts swept Hallam aside, winning by 108 points.

To the Hawks’ credit they broke even with the Demons in the second term.

That showed character, after being outscored 55 points to zero in the first quarter.

Springvale Districts’ coach Kris Thompson handed the reins to his assistant Leighton Ross for the day.

Demons’ youngster Micky Pettit had his first taste of senior footy, showing he has a bright future at that level.

The winner’s David Monaghan was best afield with fellow Demon Sam Raru booting five goals.

Mitch Lambert battled valiantly for the inexperienced Hawks, being named Hallam’s best.

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