SFNL Football Round 4 Review
By Jason Barbin
Division 1
In a low scoring contest at Ben Kavanagh Reserve, Mordialloc has overcome a three-quarter time deficit to defeat Cheltenham by six points on Saturday.
The lead changed hands at every break, with the Rosellas leading by eight points at the final change, before the Bloods booted two goals to one behind to secure the win with David Marguglio and Ryan Semmel among the best.
Bentleigh has bounced back to record its second win of the season, narrowly accounting for Highett in a thrilling clash at Bentleigh Reserve.
The two sides were neck and neck for the majority of the afternoon with Mitchell Smart and Sam Lewin influential for the Demons in the seven-point result, while Matt Troutbeck kicked three majors.
Port Melbourne Colts are back on the winners list with a big result, knocking off reigning premiers St Pauls at home to the tune of 29 points.
The two sides were separated by just five points at the three quarter time break, before the Colts slammed home five goals to one in the final term to run out winners.
In just his second match for the club, ruckman Matthew Dalla-Libera put together his best performance with two goals.
St Kilda City has smashed Oakleigh Districts by 49 points at the Peanut Farm to climb off the bottom of the ladder and record its second win of the year.
The Saints were simply too good for the Districts, with a 10-goal opening half the catalyst for the win, as Perry O’Hehir-Vargas put together a best afield performance. Ryan Carroll and Ed Greene also combined for nine majors.
East Malvern has caused potentially the upset of the round, defeating the ladder leaders, and previously undefeated Dingley by 47 points at Souter Oval.
Former GWS and Carlton player Liam Sumner was outstanding in the win, which saw the Panthers pull away in the second half, booting nine goals to one, as the Dingoes wasted countless opportunities in front of goal.
Division 2
Springvale Districts has won its fourth game of the season, accounting for winless Skye by 29 points in a low scoring contest.
Only six goals in total were booted for the match, with the Bombers’ 1.3 the lowest registered senior score for the season.
Stefan Feehan booted three goals for the Districts in the win.
Caulfield is off the bottom of the Division 2 ladder after recording its first win of the season, a 42-point victory against East Brighton at Koornang Park.
The Bears were well served by a strong start to the game, an eight-goal first half, before a solid second half sealed the maiden win.
Fred Jenkins and 100-gamer Jake Buggy were the stars, combining for eight goals in the win.
A final quarter surge has lifted Keysborough to its fourth straight victory, overcoming a gallant Hampton at the Toolbox.
The Burra trailed by 12 points at the final break before booting five goals in the fourth quarter to steal the win, with star ruckman Bryce Sutton recording another strong performance.
A decisive performance from forward Eduardo Espinosa has spurred Murrumbeena to a comfortable 54-point triumph against Heatherton at Ross Street Reserve.
Espinosa booted three goals in a best on ground effort for the Beena, who kicked nine majors in the first half to set up its second win of the year.
A sensational 10-goal third term from premiership contenders Doveton Eagles has lifted it to an 82-point demolition of Chelsea Heights on its home deck.
The Eagles trailed by five points at the main break before flipping the switch and surging ahead of the Heighters to record yet another victory.
Piva Wright and Ryan Hendy combined for 13 majors for the Eagles.
Division 3
Hampton Park made it four wins on the trot with a scintillating performance against Ashwood on the road, coming away with a 53-point win.
A six-goal opening term was the catalyst behind the outcome, with Mitchell Woolgar playing his best game for the season, while Nathan Carver booted five goals.
Clayton has climbed into the top four of a competition for the first time since 2016 after a strong 70-point thrashing of Cerberus at McAuliffe Oval.
The Clays led the game from start to finish, keeping the three-headed dogs scoreless in the opening term before piling on seven goals in the second half for their second win of the season.
Endeavour Hills has held off a fast-finishing Black Rock to record its third win of the season, a 10-point result at McDonald Reserve in Round 4.
The Falcons were too strong through three quarters of the match, leading by 26 points at the three quarter time break, before the Rockers fought back bravely, booting four goals to one to close the gap.
Division 4
Lyndale has pulled off a sensational second half comeback in Round 4, overcoming a 21-point half time deficit to defeat Dandenong by 29 points at Barry Powell Reserve.
The Pumas booted five goals in the third term to take the lead going into the final break before adding another five in the last to secure the win, which lifts it off the bottom of the ladder.
Trent Day and Trevor Kumetaitas were in excellent form for Lyndale, each kicking five goals.
South Yarra has caused one of the upsets of the round, defeating Hallam narrowly by seven points to record its second straight victory.
The Lions led at every change in the win, but hearts were in mouths during the final term as the Hawks booted two goals to one behind in the final term to send a scare through the South Yarra camp.
Julian Belfrage and Tom Rogers were best afield for the victors, while Mitchell Wood and Joel Danilo stood out for Hallam.
Lyndhurst has caused another upset in Division 4, defeating ladder leaders Frankston Dolphins by 40 points, sending its opponents crashing down for the first time this season.
The Lightning were superior defensively throughout the afternoon, restricting the Dolphins to one goal in three quarters while piling on six themselves.
Jarryd McGrath was outstanding with five majors for Lyndhurst with David Ford best afield.
Carrum Patterson Lakes and Moorabbin have played out a high scoring thriller at Roy Dore Reserve, with the home side coming away with a four-point win.
The two sides were level at three quarter time and each kicked five goals in the final term, with Carrum Patterson Lakes’ four finalquarter behinds the difference.
Paul Mauracher and Ben Guy were the best for the home side while Moorabbin finished with an astonishing seven multiple goal kickers.
