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SFNL MATCH OF THE DAY - MARBUT STONE ROUND
DIVISION 2
HEATHERTON vs HAMPTON
V 
Heatherton Recreation Reserve, Ross Street, Heatherton – 2:15pm
Listen to the SFNL Radio Team’s commentary live on 88.3 Southern FM from 2:00pm or live stream the radio broadcast and get all live scores at
sfnllive.com.au.
DIVISION 1 – Marbut Stone Round 8 Preview
With Good Will Hunter
@Will_Hunter89
BENTLEIGH vs EAST BRIGHTON (Bentleigh Reserve)
V 
The Bentleigh juggernaut hit a snag in their last start, crushed by the seemingly unstoppable Dingoes, but will be confident of returning to the winners’ circle this week.
Their opponents, East Brighton, remain winless and anchored to the foot of the ladder.
With the backing of their parochial home crowd, and with star ruckman Andrew Walsh set to return from injury, expect the Demons to win by plenty.
CLAYTON vs ST PAULS (Meade Reserve)
V 
The last encounter between these two sides ended in a dramatic one-point victory to the Clays, and given their form of late, this upcoming fixture, incidentally at the same venue, could be similarly close.
Both sit 3-4, and have their sights set firmly on the top five, which makes this game a classic eight-pointer.
Hard to get a read on both of these sides, particularly given their surprise results in their last starts. But the odd shape and size of Meade Reserve, coupled with the Dogs’ lacklustre away record, may be enough to see Clayton home in a thriller.
ST KILDA CITY vs CHELTENHAM (Peanut Farm)
V 
Both of these teams have struggled to make an impact this season, but both will enter this clash confident of emerging with the four points.
The Saints have been terrific in the last month, with two terrific wins and an honourable loss to its credit.
Cheltenham, meanwhile has been competitive, but has lack the class at critical moments to seal the deal and secure victory.
On form it’s hard to go past St Kilda City.
OAKLEIGH DISTRICT vs MORDIALLOC (Princes Highway)
V 
Perhaps the most intriguing clash of Round 8 is this one between the previous two Division 2 premiers.
The Bloods under Jason Chapple have manufactured tough, congested matches this season and possess a terrific defensive structure. As a result, have conceded a competition-low 351 points against this season.
However, their backline will be tested against the Oaks, who are the second highest scoring team in Division 1 with several forwards capable of bobbing up and kicking a bag.
This will be a tremendous contest between two sides in finals contention, but Mordi’s injury woes and the District’s home ground advantage will see them start favourites.
DINGLEY vs EAST MALVERN (Souter Oval)
V 
East Malvern’s premiership credentials will face a litmus test on Saturday against Division 1 heavyweight Dingley.
The Panthers have been well served by several of its new recruits, but overall the side has struggled for consistency in the early stages of the season.
The Dingoes, on the other hand, possess perhaps the healthiest list in the competition, and would at this stage be short-priced favourites to claim the minor premiership come Round 18. On this basis, they should overpower the Panthers at the Den.
DIVISION 2 – Marbut Stone Round 10 Preview
With Jason Barbin
@JBarbin10
A clash between first and third highlights Round 10 of the division two and presents yet another test for both Port Melbourne Colts and Chelsea Heights.
SKYE vs MURRUMBEENA (Carrum Downs Recreation Reserve)
V 
Although Murrumbeena sits only one game outside the five, it still has a lot of work to do in order to secure a finals berth but a win against the odds will certainly help. Skye has been in strong form the last few weeks and with the return of several key players to their line-up, will be sufficiently tough to beat, especially at home. The Bombers will rightly go into the match as favourites and I just can’t see the Beena causing an upset.
Skye by 23 points.
Skye Football Netball Club are hosting their Annual Mid Year Ball in honour of beyondblue on Saturday 18th June. All of the proceeds from the event are being contributed towards this wonderful cause.
The club will be fundraising throughout the day during their home clash against Murrumbeena. The senior team will also be wearing new Blackchrome jumpers especially designed for beyondblue foundation support. The club will be auctioning off some of these jumpers at the end of the day and also on the evening of the event.
Contributions to their fundraiser are greatly appreciated and can be made via their beyondblue Bash Everyday Hero page: https://beyondbluebashsportingclubs.everydayhero.com/au/jodie
If you wish to bid on one of the Bombers’ beyondblue jumpers, please contact Jodie on 0433 879 404 to place your bid. Get in quick as numbers are limited.
SFNC is looking forward to supporting the worthy cause once again in two weeks’ time for the SFNL beyondblue Round.
KEYSBOROUGH vs SPRINGVALE DISTRICTS (Keysborough Reserve)
V 
Like Murrumbeena, Keysborough sits only one game outside of the top five, but also like Murrumbeena, it has a lot of work to do if it wants to play finals in 2016. A big win against Springvale at home is the step number one for the Burra and although they’re not in great form, it’s better than that of the Districts and the boys from Keysie should be able to scrap together a victory.
Keysborough by 20 points.
BLACK ROCK vs HIGHETT (McDonald Reserve)
V 
The boys from Black Rock put up a spirited effort at times against Caulfield but much of the same and for longer periods of time will be needed if they’re going to upset Highett. The Dogs have been in strong form as they finally begin to look like a team ready to challenge for the finals again and another win here will firmly cement their spot as a finals contender.
Highett by 35 points.
PORT MELBOURNE COLTS vs CHELSEA HEIGHTS (JL Murphy Reserve)
V
Easily the game of the round, the Colts and the Heighters go head-to-head in a match that is intriguing to say the very least. Port Melbourne looked a tad vulnerable against Hampton last week and spearhead Jason Butty will be keen to fire up after being held goalless against the Hammers. I’ll say this about Chelsea Heights, if their spearhead Phil Smith plays and kicks goals the Colts first loss of the season may be just around the corner.
Port Melbourne by three points.
HEATHERTON vs HAMPTON (Heatherton Recreation Reserve)
V
The Hammers fell out of the top five after their loss to the Colts and will be keen to remain in touch with a victory against the Tonners. Heatherton has lost its early season spark with six straight losses but an upset is not unachievable for a side that has improved despite sinking lower on the ladder. Heatherton are tough to beat at home so Hampton will need to bring its A game to get across the line.
Hampton by 19 points.
BYE: CAULFIELD
DIVISION 3 – Marbut Stone Round 9 Preview
With Andrew Paloczi
@Apaloczi
LYNDALE vs LYNDHURST (Barry Powell Reserve)
V 
Lyndale has had an inconsistent season, winning half its games, but showed against Doveton that it can challenge the top sides.
This week’s opponent, Lyndhurst, has managed a couple of wins, but in its first season is not yet in a position where it is likely to beat Lyndale.
Expect to see a bag of goals from Lyndale spearhead Trevor Kumetaitis and a comfortable win for his side.
SANDOWN COBRAS vs CARRUM PATTERSON LAKES (Edinburgh Reserve)
V 
There will be pride on the line in this battle between the division’s bottom teams.
Even a win won't be enough to take Sandown past Carrum Patterson Lakes on the ladder.
CPL has one win and a significantly better percentage than the as yet winless Cobras.
CPL will increase the Cobras’ misery.
SOUTH YARRA vs ASHWOOD (Fritsch Holzer Park)
V 
Sixth-placed South Yarra hosts fourth-placed Ashwood in what promises to be a gripping contest on the tight confines of Fritsch Holzer Park. Expect to see plenty of fierce tackling and pressure.
Ashwood should make it a successful visit, but only just.
MOORABBIN vs DOVETON EAGLES (Widdop Crescent)
V 
Moorabbin has the home ground advantage and Doveton seems likely to be without the services of spearhead Peter Dye. His mobility was hampered throughout the clash with Lyndale due to a knee problem.
Moorabbin's season has been disappointing, but the team managed a competitive showing against a good Ashwood side.
These factors suggest a Kangaroos’ win over the Eagles is plausible, but far from likely.
HALLAM vs MOUNT WAVERLEY (Hallam Reserve)
V 
Those tough enough to venture to Hallam Reserve on what is likely to be a freezing Saturday night should be rewarded with a great game of footy.
Top side, Mount Waverley takes on the team on the next rung, Hallam.
Mount Waverley's experienced players and physical strength will give it the edge.
Manny Peresso will be critical for the Hawks' chances of upsetting the Mountain Lions. He uses the ball efficiently and can pinpoint forward targets. One of those is Shane Thomas who has booted 21 goals in his five games this season.
But the challenge for Hallam will be applying enough pressure on Mount Waverley's midfielders to prevent them picking out power forwards Luke Galle and James Gough.
Mount Waverley, just.
DANDENONG vs ENDEAVOUR HILLS (Greaves Reserve)
V 
Dandenong is looking to make it three wins in a row when it hosts Endeavour Hills.
However, Endeavour Hills enters this contest having won its last four matches. The Falcons are the only team to have got the better of Hallam this season and, in the last round, obliterated Sandown. They are unlikely to ease off or become complacent.
The Falcons will comfortably account for the Redlegs.
This weekend's round is proudly sponsored by Marbut Stone.
