Division 3 Round Review

By Andrew Paloczi


Twitter@Apaloczi

 


Listen back to this week’s The 5th Quarter podcast, featuring Lyndale President Ed McLean as the special guest, in the player above.

 

ROUND 7 REVIEW

Ashwood 6.4 (40) def by Springvale Districts 7.8 (50)

On a glorious winter’s day, it was a low-scoring but engaging duel between two of the division’s best sides.

Springvale Districts’ two-goal half time lead was the most that separated the sides at any break, with the Demons up by just three points at the final change.

Peter Heng wasn’t listed amongst Springvale Districts’ best players but was a solid contributor throughout the match and kicked the crucial first goal of the last term.

That came at the eight-minute mark courtesy of a teammate’s accurate handball.

Although the Demons managed only one more major, through Daniel Saldanha, it proved enough.

Late in the term a brilliant Jake Chapman snap sailed through for a goal, trimming the Demons’ lead to 10 points.

But that’s where it stayed, with the siren confirming Springvale Districts’ victory shortly after.

It was a day on which both sides made scoring hard for the opposition, with strong tackling and relentless pressure on whoever had the footy.

David Reilly was outstanding in defence for the beaten Magpies, whilst Nathan Brown was named best for the victorious Demons.

Springvale Districts’ Saldanha and Ashwood’s Jeremy Nelson were the only players to register multiple goals, with two each.

Speaking after the contest, the unheralded but valuable Heng paid tribute to the quality of the opposition and outlined the importance of the win to the Demons.

“I think it was just good to get a win away from home. Ashwood are a really good side. I find our team struggles a bit on the small oval, so good to get a win out here,” he said.

 

South Yarra 9.18 (72) def by Heatherton 11.9 (75)

Zippy small forward Khaled Kandakji booted six of Heatherton’s 11 goals as the Tunners edged out home team South Yarra.

His best on ground performance illustrated the talent of the 2015 Oakleigh District premiership star.

Callum Cusack and Ben Clark-Henry also featured in Heatherton’s best players.

Whilst Kandakji impressed with his ability to split the big sticks, South Yarra’s forwards had little such joy.

An abysmal 1.9 in the last quarter will trigger a measure of soul searching and, most likely, plenty of kicking practice at Fritsch Holzer Park.

The Yarras finished with twice as many behinds as goals for the day, and were made to pay as the Tunners celebrated their second victory of the season.

James Loonstra was the only Heatherton player other than Kandakji to register multiple goals, chiming in with two.

South Yarra had eight goal scorers to the Tunners’ five, but Cory Brady with two was the only Yarras’ player to manage more than one six-pointer.

Heatherton’s strong third term performance proved decisive as the Tunners turned a four-point half time advantage into a 17-point lead at the last change.

Despite adding just a behind in the final stanza, Heatherton snuck home by three points, aided by the Yarras’ bout of inaccuracy.

 

Hallam 3.4 (22) def by Endeavour Hills 26.14 (170)

Daniel Morrison, in just his second game of the season, was best afield with 10 goals, helping propel Endeavour Hills to a 148-point win over Hallam.

His teammate Sam McLean was also damaging with six majors.

Midfielder, Daniel Batson was again instrumental for the Falcons.

Skipper Jonathan Daly, Rory McIvor and Tom Bradley booted the Hawks’ three goals.

 

Hampton Park 22.19 (151) def Black Rock 2.8 (20)

Nathan Carver and Shannon Henwood contributed four goals each as Hampton Park steamrolled Black Rock.

The Redbacks were undoubtedly stung by their first loss of the season and allowed the Jets no chance to inflict another.

Hampton Park raced to a 32-point lead by quarter time, slotting five goals to none, and the dominance never abated.

Midfield coach and star, Michael Henry, was a standout for the victorious Redbacks with another best on ground effort.

Brenton Henry and Chris Knight kicked the Jets’ two goals for the day.

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