Round 14 was action packed and as the finals draw closer all of the top 5 positions are still up for grabs.
Chelsea Heights took on Heatherton at Beazley Reserve in what was an important match for the Heighters. With only percentage separating them from East Brighton, the Heighters needed a big win. That big win looked like a good thing until a 6 goal to nil last quarter by Heatherton trimmed the lead. Nevertheless a good win for Chelsea Heights and it keeps them in the hunt. Luke Manders and Erishmiilan Uthayakumar each had 5 for Chelsea Heights.
East Brighton boosted their chances of a top 3 finish with a resounding win over a disappointing St Kilda City. The Vampires had an astounding 45 scoring shots to 11 with leading goal kicker for the game Jacob Lee Percy beating the Saints off his own boot. The win is the 8th in a row for the Vampires who can say they are legitimate contenders for the premiership.
St Pauls held their spot on top of the ladder with a triple figure win over East Malvern at Dunlop Reserve. The Doggies had 11 different goal kickers as they lead at all changes to go on and win by 113 points. The win keeps the Dogs a game clear of Dingley in 2nd spot. Adam McIntyre and Luke James kicked 4 goals each.
Cheltenham gave their finals hopes a big boost with a comfortable win over Clayton at Jack Barker Oval. The Rosellas superior midfield gave them the edge in this close encounter which they took by 18 points. The win puts them a game and percentage clear in 5th spot. Matthew Zacharin kicked for 4 goals for Cheltenham.
Dingley held on to their top 2 spot with an easy win over Highett at Turner Road Reserve. The Dingoes were too good for the struggling Highett as they lead from go to woe to win by 150 points. With 13 different goal kickers the Dingoes showed with this win that they are a real threat come finals time. Phil Ball lead all goal kickers with 6.
DIVISION 2 with THE FOOTY TRAGIC
Round 14 - No surprises last week, as expected, Murrumbeena proved me wrong AGAIN! Technically though that gives me 5 winners again.
Congratulations to Oakleigh District on retaining the Chops Langkau Perpetual Trophy with their victory over the Caulfield Bears.
With only 4 weeks to go I thought it was appropriate to analyse the last four games and see who will be in the Final 5. Unfortunately for Skye, I can only seeing them winning 1 game in the last 4 (Oakleigh District home; Murrumbeena away; Moorabbin home; Bentleigh away), so they should end up on 9 wins and 9 losses for the year. I have Oakleigh District ending up on top with 15 wins and 3 losses, not losing a match in the last 4 rounds (Skye away; Hampton home; Murrumbeena home; Moorabbin home). Bentleigh will be second with 14-4, also not dropping a game before the season end (South Yarra away; Mordialloc home; Caulfield away; Skye home).
Mordialloc, Springvale Districts and Murrumbeena should all end up on 12-6, each winning 3 of their last 4, with final percentages deciding their final ladder predictions. I think Mordialloc have the slightly easier draw (Moorabbin home; Bentleigh away; Springvale Districts home; South Yarra away) and should manage to hold on to 3rd, whilst Springvale Districts should manage to stay 4th (Hampton away; South Yarra home; Mordialloc away; Caulfield home) and Murrumbeena will hold onto 5th spot (Caulfield away; Skye home; Oakleigh District away; Hampton home). Nothing changes from here on in! Could this happen? My track record isn’t that pretty, hence my nom-de-plume of Footy Tragic rather than Footy Legend!
DIVISION 3 with GOOD WILL HUNTER
Sandown kept its finals hopes alive with a stunning upset over Mount Waverley at Mayfield Reserve. In a high-scoring shootout the Cobras had their noses in front for most of the afternoon before seven final term goals got them home by 25 points. John Frenken played an absolute blinder and his five goals were instrumental in getting his side over the line.
Ashwood jumped into fifth spot after a 106-point thrashing of Endeavour Hills at Barry Simon Reserve. The Falcons could only manage one goal in the first half, allowing the visitors to set up an insurmountable lead by the long break. The Magpies then booted nine unanswered goals in the last quarter to push the final margin out beyond triple figures. Jarryd Uren was again terrific for the winners.
At Barry Powell Reserve, Carrum Patterson Lakes worked hard for a gritty 21-point victory over Lyndale. The home side got the jump early, but the Lions worked their way back into it before blowing the game open with four goals to one in the last quarter. Lion Daniel Graves continued his stellar form with a best afield performance.
With Melbourne’s inclement weather rendering Power Reserve unplayable, the Doveton vs Black Rock fixture was transferred to LS Reid Oval. But it had little effect on the result as Doveton cruised to a convincing 52-point win. The Jets put up a fight early, but the undefeated Eagles proved too strong in the last quarter. Peter Dye was the star up forward with six goals for Doveton.
The final game was a very one-sided affair with Dandenong easily accounting for Hallam at Greaves Reserve. The Redlegs were very inaccurate early, and this kept the Hawks in the contest in the first half. But Dandenong began to convert more of their scoring opportunities after half time and they ran away to a 56-point victory. Matt Van Schajik was again a prolific ball-winner for the Redlegs.
UNDER 19s with GOOD WILL HUNTER
In a fantastic contest at Roy Dore Reserve, Carrum Patterson Lakes registered its first victory of the year – eclipsing Dingley by just two points. The home side led comfortably at half time before the Dingoes came roaring back in the third term. But CPL held on in a nail-biting final term to get home by less than a kick. Dylan Cott dominated for CPL with four goals while James Piltz starred for Dingley.
Murrumbeena remains in flag contention after getting the better of St Pauls at Beena Arena. The Doggies were in the hunt up until half time, but a best afield performance from Lloyd Townsend saw Beena power away in the second half to win comfortably. Jarryd Blenkinsop was the Doggies’ best.
Down at the Hangar, Skye cruised to an easy victory over Hampton. Dylan McNamara was pivotal for the home side as a nine-goal third term set up their win. Tim Wighton also fought hard for the Hammers.
And it was a very one-side affair at Bentleigh Reserve with the Demons registering a massive win over Clayton. The Clays went goalless for the first three quarters; meanwhile up the other end Liam Dimattina had a day out booting nine majors.
