SFNL Football Round Review
DIVISION 1
Local rivals Port Melbourne Colts and St Kilda City kicked off the 2019 SFNL season under Friday night lights at JL Murphy Reserve. After a tight first term, the Colts gained the upper hand in the second and never looked back, running out 79-point winners in a clinical display, with star forward Lochie Harris booting five goals.
On Saturday, Highett celebrated the unfurling of their 2018 Division 2 premiership flag with with a first up victory over Oakleigh District at Turner Road. Little separated the two sides in the first half, but the Dogs, led by best afield Kyle Hendy, pulled away after the long break to secure a five-goal win.
The GameFace SFNL Match of the Round lived up to expectation with Mordialloc recording a 12-point victory over East Malvern in a cracking contest at Ben Kavanagh Reserve. Despite the Panthers booting 7 unanswered goals in the second term, the Bloods proved two strong, with new recruit Josh McPherson booting five goals in a best afield display.
Over at Jack Barker Oval, Dingley lead from go to woah as they defeated Cheltenham by 20 points. It was an accomplished display from the Dingoes, were simply too slick around the ground for the Rosellas.
On Saturday night, St Paul’s and Bentleigh resumed hostilities in a local derby under lights at McKinnon Reserve. The Demons came to play early, but the reigning premiers flexed their muscle with six second half goals to one to record a 38-point victory.
DIVISION 2
Division 3 premiers Springvale Districts celebrated their return to second division with a comprehensive 81-point triumph over Caulfield at Springvale Reserve. Star recruit Matt Weitering booted five goals in the Demons’ clinical display.
Heatherton produced the upset of Division 2 as they knocked off Chelsea Heights by 20 points at Beasley Reserve. Despite trailing for most of the day, the Tunners stormed home with a five-goal-to-one final term to steal victory over the Heighters.
East Brighton got their 2019 season off to a high as they downed Skye by of 33 points at Hurlingham Park. The Vampires were in control for most of the afternoon, with Liam Reidy booting four goals.
Doveton Eagles proved too accomplished for Hampton as they cruised to a 93-point win at Power Reserve. Despite the Hammers best efforts, the Eagles were never threatened, with Jarrod O’Neill booting six majors.
Two of Division 2’s pace setters in Keysborough and Murrumbeena went toe-to-toe at Keysborough Reserve, and as expected the match was hard fought right to the very end. After a slow start, the Beena clawed their way back into the lead by the final change, but a five-goal final term lifted the Burra to a thrilling 7-point victory.
DIVISION 3
Hampton Park cruised to their first win of the year, downing Clayton by a mammoth 140 points at Robert Booth Reserve. Peter Dye booted 8 goals on debut for the Redbacks, who were brilliant from start to finish.
Last year’s Division 3 runners up Endeavour Hills made a superb start to the 2019 season, crushing 2017 Division 4 premiers Cerberus by 103 points at McAuliffe Oval. Under new coach Gary Connelly, the Falcons were simply too good in all facets as they led from go to woah.
A seven-goal opening quarter has propelled Black Rock to a 30-point victory over Ashwood at Essex Heights Reserve. The hosts dug their heels in after the first change but with new recruits Ryan Handley and Lochie Dobson booting three goals each, the Jets held the Magpies at Bay.
DIVISION 4
Frankston Dolphins opened their 2019 account with an 80-point win over Dandenong at Greaves Reserve. The Redlegs fought valiantly, but ran out of legs in the last quarter as the Dolphins, led by a four-goal, BOG performance from Lachlan Fielding, proved too strong.
Hallam provided the shock of the opening round in Division 4, stunning flag fancies Carrum Patterson Lakes at Hallam Reserve. The young Hawks led at every change, before running out 41-point winners to snap a 595-day losing streak.
2017 Runners up Lyndhurst proved too good for South Yarra, recording a comfortable 67-point win at Marriott Waters Reserve. Although the Yarras were competitive in the first term, the Lightning kept them goalles thereafter to open their account for 2019.
Moorabbin’s offensive firepower was on full display at Widdop Crescent as they booted 36 goals in a 152-point thumping of Lyndale. The damage was done in the second half as the Kangas piled on 23 goals to the Puma’s four, giving newly appointed coach Paul Youle plenty of reasons to smile.
