By Andrew Paloczi
@Apaloczi
Listen back to this week’s The 5th Quarter podcast, featuring SFNL field umpire and former AFL goal umpire Luke Walker as the special guest, in the player above.
ROUND 4 REVIEW
Heatherton 10.11 (71) def by Black Rock 11.10 (76)
Heatherton scrambled a behind to edge in front of Black Rock late in the final quarter.
A valiant Tunners’ fightback appeared to be the story of the day as a low scoring final term nudged into time on.
That was before an extraordinary turn of events.
Three consecutive 50 metre penalties and a yellow card to enraged Heatherton forward Khaled Kandakji set the stage for Black Rock’s Daniel Kick.
Kick, normally a steadying backline presence for the Jets, was advanced to within range of his side’s attacking goal.
Holding his nerve as he so often does in defence, Kick sent the ball sailing through for what proved to be the winning goal.
The Jets had looked on the way to a commanding win after a dominant first term in which they kicked seven goals to the Tunners’ two.
Tunners’ coach Shayne Sheedy demanded his players lift their work rate and questioned why they weren’t doing as planned.
“I don’t understand why you can’t follow instructions, simple instructions,” he said in exasperation.
Sheedy suggested his side didn’t have a winner on the ground at that point.
He urged his players to start winning some one-on-one contests and to “have a red-hot crack”.
The home side’s situation had improved greatly by three quarter time, with Heatherton by then clinging to a one-goal lead.
However, whilst looking at the positives, such as improved tackling pressure, Sheedy also gave his troops what proved a prophetic warning.
He stressed that Black Rock’s only goal of the third term resulted from an act of indiscipline by the Tunners.
That lack of discipline again proved crucial in the dying minutes of the game and Heatherton will rue a chance that got away.
Lachlan Mooney was named best in the Jets’ five-point win, with teammate Nathan Davidson topping his side’s goal kicking with three majors.
Mark Stevens helped Heatherton get so close to victory, with the backman spending time up forward and kicking a couple of majors.
Fellow Tunner, David White finished with three goals.
An enthralling contest throughout the day took place in the ruck with Heatherton’s Callum Cusack and Black Rock skipper, Tom Dalton battling manfully.
The ruck duel appeared pretty even, but Cusack’s work around the ground gave him the edge. He was a major reason his side went so close to a win.
Hallam 2.3 (15) def by Springvale Districts 32.27 (219)
Without taking away from a commanding Springvale Districts’ performance, Hallam’s demise this season is difficult to witness.
The Demons won by 204 points, with a stunning 15 players on the goal kickers list.
Tom Wilkinson, George Angelopoulos and Stefan Feehan led the way, booting four majors each, whilst Matt Thompson was named best afield.
Jack Barrie-Sewell kicked the Hawks’ only two goals.
South Yarra 6.5 (41) def by Ashwood 18.15 (123)
Ashwood was in charge throughout the day at what was once South Yarra’s fortress.
The Magpies’ Carroll brothers were at their destructive best.
Paddy was named best afield, despite Dale’s seven goals.
Ryan chimed in with a goal and was listed as Ashwood’s fourth best.
Endeavour Hills 6.13 (49) def by Hampton Park 10.5 (65)
Accuracy around the big sticks helped Hampton Park maintain its unbeaten record in the SFNL.
The Redbacks withstood an Endeavour Hills’ fightback to win by 16 points.
At the last break, the Falcons sat just 4 points behind, having kept Hampton Park scoreless in the third term.
A Daniel Cann major early in the final quarter gave Endeavour Hills the lead.
However, the Falcons managed only four behinds for the remainder of the contest, continuing their trend of inaccuracy throughout the day.
A positive for the vanquished home team was the effort of youngster Nick Gay who was named Endeavour Hills’ best.
For the all-conquering Redbacks, Kane Bloxsidge was best.
Fellow spider Nathan Carver slotted four goals, taking his season tally to 26 and keeping him comfortably in the lead on the division’s goal kicking table.
