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Division 1 – Round 15 Review
With Good Will Hunter
@Will_Hunter89
DINGLEY vs OAKLEIGH DISTRICT
Oakleigh District has given its finals aspirations a huge shot in the arm following an impressive 10.10 (70) to 8.15 (63) upset over flag favourites Dingley at Souter Oval.
It was the most impressive performance we’ve seen from the Oaks all season, while the Dingoes looked a bit off the boil in the absence of a few of a few of their big name stars.
Early inaccuracy hindered the Dingoes’ chances, especially early on in the piece – they were 2.8 at half time – and the visitors capitalised, making every post a winner.
Paul Fermanis and Aaron Henneman (two goals each) provided the impetus in attack for the winners, while Hadrian Prest did a sterling job curbing the influence of the dangerous Dan Farmer.
Former Dingo Jake Mullen also put in an inspired performance against his old club.
Josh Ferguson and Chris Morgan did much of the heavy lifting through the midfield for Dingley while speedster Rob Rusan booted three majors, including a sparkling goal of the year contender.
ST PAULS vs CHELTENHAM
Meanwhile Cheltenham’s mid-season resurgence has hit a roadblock after being beaten by St Pauls at the Kennel, 12.3 (75) to 9.6 (60)
Both clubs entered the clash locked on six wins each and maintained hopes of September action. But the Dogs’ solidarity in the second half shut has kept it within striking distance of a top five berth, while simultaneously slamming the door shut on the Rosellas’ chances.
The two sides traded goals for much of the first half, with little separating them at each of the first two breaks.
However, three unanswered majors in the third term gave the home side a lead they never relinquished, before putting the exclamation mark on the victory with another four final-term goals.
Young James Sziller was again outstanding through the midfield for the victors and Josh Verlin also shone up forward with four majors.
Up the other end, Rosella Josh Fox proved a handful in attack with a bag of five.
EAST MALVERN vs BENTLEIGH
Bentleigh looks to have secured a double chance after outclassing a depleted East Malvern outfit at Dunlop Reserve, 13.10 (88) 5.4 (34).
A scoreless second term undid much of the Panthers’ hard work and allowed the Demons to advance to a handy 23-point halftime lead.
To their credit, East Malvern began the second half with vigour, but were hamstrung by inefficient ball use in the front half. The Demons had no such issues moving the ball swiftly out of defence from the resultant turnovers.
For most of the second half, the fleet-footed Demons midfield exploited the bigger bodies in the Panthers’ engine room and simply ran them off their feet. The result was a six-goal-to-two final term that finally gave the visitors scoreboard reward for their superiority.
Athletic tall Saf Balic was exception all afternoon for the winners, while Pat Nicholls and Sam McGarry were rewarded for their endeavour with four and three goals respectively.
Jack Hammond played his best game for the Panthers while teammate Nick Barry also did some nice things around the ball.
EAST BRIGHTON vs CLAYTON
East Brighton’s impressive performances over the previous fortnight were a distant memory on Saturday as Clayton romped to a 22.17 (149) to 8.8 (56) demolition at Widdop Crescent.
A 14-goal first half to the black and whites saw the margin balloon out to 68 points at the long break and another 100-point demolition was a real possibility.
However, thanks to the efforts of skipper Andrew Jansen and Ryan Cosgrave, it was a more competitive East Brighton unit after the major interval and a triple-digit blowout was averted.
Nick Scanlon lead all comers with four goals and several score assists for the Clays, while ruckman Aaron Mills and the consistent Andy Ray were similarly influential.
MORDIALLOC vs ST KILDA CITY
Mordialloc overcame early inaccuracy to record a comfortable 11.12 (78) to 6.8 (44) victory over St Kilda City at Ben Kavanagh Reserve.
The Bloods set about erasing a six-point quarter time deficit the hard way, registering 2.7 in the second term to take a seven-point lead into the sheds.
But they had their radar working better in the second half, piling on 8.2 to cruise to victory with David Marguglio and Carey Neville at the forefront.
Ruckman Rowan Andrews was sorely missed in the Bloods loss to Cheltenham last week, but made his presence felt with an impressive performance against the Saints.
Dylan Sloan and Henry Sullivan kept St Kilda City in it for much of the day.
Division 2 –Round 17 Review
With Jason Barbin
@JBarbin10
With only three weeks until finals time, the race for the top five continues to rage on and despite another round of football gone and several teams solidifying their position, the top five isn’t set in stone.
CHELSEA HEIGHTS 19.8 (122) def SPRINGVALE DISTRICTS 9.5 (59)
The Heighters rarely looked in trouble as they cruised to a 63-point win against the Districts with Phil Smith in sensational form, bagging a season best nine goals while Luke Behin was also in strong form as best on ground. Springvale enjoyed a strong opening quarter and only trailed Chelsea Heights by seven points at the first change but the Heighters kicked on in the second half, booting 15 goals to six to blow the margin out to 10 goals.
CAULFIELD 9.8 (62) def by PORT MELBOURNE COLTS 19.3 (117)
The Colts dispatch another contender in comfortable fashion, defeating the Bears by 55 points to secure the minor premiership, not that it was in very much in doubt. Jason Butty bagged five goals while Justin Taylor and Luke Mildenhall starred in a match that turned into a blowout after a thrilling first half. Caulfield was right in the contest up until half time, trailing by only three points at the main break but Port Melbourne surged ahead in the second half, banging home 11 goals to two, sealing the victory in the process.
BLACK ROCK 3.6 (24) def by KEYSBOROUGH 13.10 (88)
The Burra might be highly unlikely to make finals but they seem to be back playing some of their best football with their second win in a row, a feat the club hasn’t achieved this season, defeating the Jets by 64 points. Davor Rajic finished with another bag of four goals while Jake Dunn was best on ground as Keysborough took control of the game with six majors in the first term alone. Another four goals in the third quarter sealed the game and kept the Burra in the hunt for a second consecutive finals berth.
HAMPTON 15.8 (98) def by MURRUMBEENA 15.10 (100)
Although four points is four points, this win will be slightly disappointing for the Beena after conceding the opportunity to gain some much needed percentage in a two-point win against the Hammers. Murrumbeena led by 51 points at three quarter time but gave up eight goals in the last quarter in what was very nearly one of the most miraculous comebacks the Southern Football Netball League has ever seen. The win keeps them in fifth, but the Beena’s low percentage is still a factor. Eduardo Espinosa finished the match with four goals while Sam Moloney was named their best.
Listen back to the SFNL Radio team’s call of the Hampton V Murrumbeena game in the player below.
HEATHERTON 3.11 (29) def by HIGHETT 17.10 (112)
The Dogs keep the pressure on Murrumbeena with a decisive victory against the Tonners by 83 points. Chad Ryan put together one of the best performances of the season by a forward with 10 goals as the clear best on ground player as the Dogs transformed a five-goal opening quarter lead into 70 points at half time. While the second half was a tad more lacklustre than the first with the game well and truly in hand, Highett still managed three goals to Heatherton’s one to seal the big win.
Division 3 – Round 16 Review
With Andrew Paloczi
@Apaloczi
ASHWOOD 12.9 (81) def by DOVETON EAGLES 19.15 (129)
With its players resplendent in brown and yellow clash jumpers, Doveton dominated an injury-depleted Ashwood.
The Eagles delivered the ball efficiently to their forwards, with Adam Read the chief beneficiary.
He marked regularly and booted six goals. His teammate Travis Graeske kicked four majors and was named the winner's best player.
Ashwood was already dealing with significant injury problems and was unable to select its most prolific goal kicker, Dale Carroll, due to concussion.
A first-quarter knee injury to Mitch Saunders was a further blow to the Magpies’ chances of toppling the Eagles.
Doveton won by eight goals.
MOUNT WAVERLEY 28.13 (181) def LYNDHURST 6.9 (45)
As expected, Mount Waverley was far too strong for Lyndhurst, winning by 136 points.
Eleven Mountain Lions got their names on the goal kickers list.
James Gough is approaching a milestone, on this occasion adding seven majors to take his 2016 goal tally to 92.
Luke Galle kicked six goals.
Jackson Smith was Mount Waverley's best player.
SANDOWN 4.7 (31) def by SOUTH YARRA 20.10 (130)
South Yarra was far too good for Sandown, dominating the Cobras to win by 99 points.
Kieron Finlayson was the Lions’ best and kicked three goals, as did teammate Eamon Hanney. Cory Brady booted four majors for the winner.
ENDEAVOUR HILLS 22.14 (146) def MOORABBIN 8.10 (58)
Daniel Morrison helped guide Endeavour Hills to an 88-point win over Moorabbin, kicking seven goals. His teammate Byron Hoe was the Falcons’ best, just as he was last week.
Moorabbin was in the contest until quarter time, trailing by just a point at that stage, but was dismantled thereafter.
DANDENONG 6.7 (43) def by HALLAM 17.17 (119)
Hallam restricted Dandenong to a sorry total of four points in the first half.
The Hawks’ lead was nine goals at the major break.
The Redlegs managed six goals in the second half, but went down by 76 points.
Steve Sigeti featured in the Hawks’ best with seven goals. Rory McIvor was named their best player.
CARRUM PATTERSON LAKES 11.9 (75) def by LYNDALE 15.15 (105)
Trevor Kumetaitis kicked five of Lyndale’s goals, helping set up a 30-point victory over Carrum Patterson Lakes.
CPL was just nine points behind at the last change.
Lyndale rectified its previous inaccuracy, booting six goals straight in the final term.
Aiden Paton was the Pumas’ best.
Under 19 – Round 15 Review
With Alex Charles
@charlesy93
Round 15 delivered a few surprises. None of these were bigger than Hampton’s drubbing at the hands of St Kilda City. There were other interesting results but this particular score line again reinforces just how open the competition is and how any of the finals sides could take out the flag.
As mentioned, the biggest talking point of the round was the ladder-leading Hampton side going down by an astonishing 74 points to St Kilda City. The Saints were prolific with 31 scoring shots to 12 and completely outclasses the Hammers in a stunning display. Ten goals between Mykelti Lefau and Dallas Peut completely overwhelmed Hampton and the result is a big reality check for the side. For St Kilda, it’s a performance which may be the catalyst for them to go back-to-back.
Oakleigh’s win over Dingley propelled them into top spot thanks to Hampton’s difficult weekend. The side defeated the Dingoes by 29 points in a closer-than-expected outing in a game that reminded us of Dingley’s quality. Oakleigh needed a six-goal last term to overrun the Dingoes in an impressive quarter that displays just how threatening they might be come finals time.
Close rivals St Pauls and Cheltenham faced off in a thrilling contest on Saturday morning. Cheltenham got the early jump with another strong early performance from Brad Parker but St Pauls managed to crawl back into the game. A tremendous individual effort from Dylan Bone ensured the Bulldogs would remain in the game until the final siren. And while they momentarily took the lead, Cheltenham proved to be too strong as they ended victorious by eight points.
Elsewhere, Highett and Carrum Patterson Lakes battled in a game that was to likely decide who would finish on the bottom of the ladder. The game was never in doubt for the Lions and they gained some percentage in the process with a 78-point win.
Highett will need to continue to build on their third quarter effort as a base for the coming games and season. They only managed five behinds, but accurate kicking could have made the scoreboard much more respectable. Alex Wilson’s terrific five-goal haul in his side’s well-rounded team performance will give all involved at the club plenty of motivation in the final rounds of the season.
Lastly, Endeavour Hills maintained their finals chances with a solid 52-point win over the Vampires. Their strong last half to the season may prove too late for a finals run, but the Falcons aren’t going to give up. East Brighton-Bentleigh made them work for the first half but a powerful 6-goal third term ensured a comfortable result for the Falcons.
