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Division 1 – Round 1 Review
With Good Will Hunter
@Will_Hunter89
Bentleigh vs St Pauls
High-profile recruit Pat Nicholls landed at Arthur Street during the off-season with the weight of expectation on his shoulders.
The former Cheltenham spearhead was one of a host of gun additions that many experts had tipped would help propel the Demons to lofty new heights in 2016.
And it didn’t take him long to live up to the hype. By 5:00pm on Saturday, he was the toast of Bentleigh, booting his side’s first eight goals to singlehandedly destroying a depleted St Pauls at Bentleigh Reserve.
The 10.5 (65) to 6.8 (44) victory marked the first time since 1999 the Demons had claimed bragging rights over their local rivals, who were without injured stars Liam Wilson and Justin Berry.
Little separated the two sides all afternoon, but a five-goal-to-one final term saw the home side emerge victorious, with Nicholls proving a decisive factor.
Youngsters Kade Heaphy-Wemyss and Jackson Meredith also impressed for the winners, while evergreen skipper Scott Lawry was also industrious in the Bentleigh engine room.
Livewire Callum Cathcart, big man Nick Shannon and reigning Sparrow Medallist Matt Brown all excelled for the Doggies.
Clayton vs St Kilda City
Elsewhere, an improved St Kilda City pushed Clayton all the way but ultimately fell short at Meade Reserve.
Gabby Irons and Chris Lee were superb through the midfield and helped set up the Clays’ hard-fought 15.16 (106) to 13.10 (88) victory.
The home side overcame an early deficit through their cleaner ball use with Andy Ray particularly prolific off half-back. Teammate Dean Evangelista also nailed three goals.
The Saints were their own worst enemy at times with inaccuracy in the first term (4.6) restricting their lead to just 14 points at the first change and ill-discipline cost them several goals at various stages throughout the match.
Nevertheless, eight majors between Dylan Sloane and Declan Harrington and stellar performances from Caleb Mason and ruckman Brad Neurath should fill the boys from Peanut Farm with the confidence to improve upon the four wins they registered in 2015.
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PHOTO CREDIT: Everard Fenton, Momento Sports.[/caption]
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PHOTO CREDIT: Everard Fenton, Momento Sports.[/caption]
Photos from the Clayton V St Kilda City game can be purchased HERE.
Oakleigh District vs Cheltenham
Meanwhile, Oakleigh District unfurled its drought-breaking Division 2 flag in front of the black and white faithful at Princes Highway Reserve – a celebration 57 years in the making.
And the Oaks marked the occasion with a resounding 16.14 (110) to 6.12 (48) victory over Cheltenham.
The home side announced their arrival in the top grade with a blistering eight-goal opening stanza that all but dashed any hope of a Rosellas triumph.
Star playmaker Paul Fermanis celebrated his return to Oakleigh with three goals, while the electric Kholed Kandakji booted four. Simon Black and key defender Pat Carroll where also prominent for the Oaks.
Chris Neophitou was among the Rosellas’ best alongside Anthony Milesi, while Jackson Barclay, who missed all of 2015 following a knee reconstruction, was also a standout.
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PHOTO CREDIT: Everard Fenton, Momento Sports.[/caption]
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PHOTO CREDIT: Everard Fenton, Momento Sports.[/caption]
Photos from the Oakleigh District V Cheltenham game can be purchased HERE.
Dingley vs Mordialloc
The Division 1 Grand Final replay looked like it would live up to the hype early, with a hotly-contested albeit low-scoring opening first quarter at Souter Oval. But Dingley flexed its muscle after the long break, banging on seven unanswered goals to run out 10-goal winners over Mordialloc, 14.11 (95) to 5.5 (35).
Despite a poor third term and an imposing deficit at the final change, the Bloods refused to roll over and outscored the Dingoes in the last quarter to add some late respectability to their performance.
Cult hero Cal McQueen booted six for the winners, while Travis La Rocca, Matt Morwood and Dan Farmer all found plenty of the ball.
Skipper Todd Bastion, James Morris (three majors) and new recruit Alistair Pike led the resistance for the vanquished Bloods.
East Brighton vs East Malvern
The final game was a 101-point blowout with East Malvern thrashing East Brighton 21.15 (141) to 6.4 (40) at Dunlop Reserve.
Jimmy Dowling, Nathan Robinson and Tremaine Tohiariki were the beneficiaries of Matt Terech’s dominance in the ruck, while Mark Ryan claimed best afield honours with an 11-goal haul.
Newly-appointed Vampires skipper Andrew Jansen led from the front, as did veterans Barry Hope and Mark Jamieson.
Division 2 – Round 2 Review
With Jason Barbin
@JBarbin10
Round 2 has been completed and again there were some surprising results as one team becomes the clear leader of the pack.
Chelsea Heights 11.23 (89) def Black Rock 8.5 (53)
The Heighters are on the board with their first win in Division 2 but it wasn’t the most convincing performance with poor kicking costing them throughout the match. Phil Mathieson bagged three goals while Luke Behin was best on ground as the Heighters booted eight second half goals to secure the win after leading by only five points at half time. To its credit, Black Rock pushed Chelsea Heights for parts of the game with Kristian Bliesner kicking three goals and Mitch La Fontaine named as the best for the Jets.
Port Melbourne Colts 16.12 (108) def Skye 7.8 (50)
Port Melbourne has stamped itself as the definitive team to beat in Division 2 this year with another thumping win, this time over Skye. Jason Butty was again in superb form, bagging another eight majors while Jayme Lawson and Mitch Clarke (four goals) were best on ground. A nine-goal opening half cemented the win for the Colts as Skye struggled to hit the scoreboard with consistency throughout the match, though the Bombers showed improvement with a three-goal final term. Ben Evans bagged three goals for Skye while Caleb Ellis was named its best.
Heatherton 13.14 (92) def Murrumbeena 5.8 (38)
Murrumbeena’s disappointing start to the season continues with another heavy loss, this time at the hands of Heatherton. The Tonners looked to be one of the most improved sides in the competition in 2016 as Matt Van Schajik bagging seven majors in a best on ground performance. Heatherton led at every break but after only being in front by eight points at the main break, piled on nine goals to two in the second half to pull away for the win. Dean Spanos was the best for Murrumbeena with two goals.
Caulfield 12.7 (79) def Springvale Districts 9.8 (62)
A persistent final quarter effort from Caulfield has lifted it to a 17-point win over Springvale, which saw a much improved effort from the Districts. Nick Gilbert continues to show he is one of the recruits of the year in Division 2, nailing seven goals while Tim Kennedy was best on ground for the Bears. Springvale led by two points going into the final quarter after leading by four points at half time, only for Caulfield to kick four goals to one in the fourth term to steal the victory. Sam Blackburn (three goals) and Lance Baptist were Springy’s best.
Highett 21.11 (137) def Keysborough 10.10 (70)
The Dogs have announced themselves as one of the teams to keep an eye on after a thorough dismantling of Keysborough on Saturday. Tom Brown started the season in scintillating fashion, kicking six goals in a best on ground effort for the winners while Daniel Morland (two goals) was the best for the Burra. Highett sprung into action early, booting six goals in each of the first three quarters to lead by 89 points at three quarter time. Keysborough showed some ticker in the last with seven goals to three but the glory belonged to the Dogs.
Division 3 – Round 2 Review
With Andrew Paloczi
@Apaloczi
South Yarra 8.7 (55) def Moorabbin Kangaroos 5.11 (41)
It was an exhilarating clash between South Yarra and Moorabbin, featuring tremendous tackling.
Early in the game, Moorabbin threatened to break away.
Nick Stanlan-Velt goaled for the Kangaroos a couple of minutes into the contest.
The Lions could find little time or space.
However, when Zac Maher kicked a major from a tough angle, it brought South Yarra back within a point of Moorabbin.
From that moment, 12 minutes into the game, the Lions’ confidence rose.
It was a low-scoring affair, with South Yarra leading at every break.
Moorabbin’s deficit at the start of the final term was 15 points.
The Lions booted the first major of the last quarter, with Joey Smith kicking one of his four goals for the day.
But Moorabbin persisted with goals from Stanlan-Velt and skipper Shaun Jackson.
However, South Yarra’s backline remained organised and committed, thwarting a number of Moorabbin attacks.
The Lions won by 14 points.
Maher played a big part in South Yarra’s win and was its best player.
It was an emotional week for the Kangaroos who paid tribute to former player, Luke Johansson who passed away recently.
Dandenong 5.3 (33) def by Mount Waverley 22.26 (158)
Mount Waverley stormed to a 125-point win over home team Dandenong, with best on ground Luke Galle leading the charge with a nine-goal display. This takes his tally to 19 majors from two games.
The Mountain Lions are sitting on top of the ladder with an intimidating percentage of over five hundred.
Carrum Patterson Lakes 7.9 (51) def by Ashwood 26.13 (169)
Carrum Patterson Lakes endured a 118-point drubbing from Ashwood.
Jake Chapman led the way for the high-flying Magpies in a best on ground performance that included three goals.
Other prominent goal kickers for Ashwood included Dale Carroll with five, and Frank Martinicchio and Paul Wineberg with four each.
Sandown Cobras 4.5 (29) def by Lyndhurst 6.7 (43)
Lyndhurst kept Sandown to one first-half goal and led by 24 points with a term to play.
The Cobras held Lyndhurst goalless for the rest of the game, but couldn’t stop Lyndhurst’s first senior win, with Lightning getting home by 14 points.
Coach Paddy Cooke and David Ford contributed to Lyndhurst’s success with a couple of goals each, and Hamish Browning was named its best player.
Endeavour Hills 5.14 (44) def by Doveton Eagles 13.12 (90)
Doveton started as a strong favourite against Endeavour Hills, but the Falcons held their own to go to quarter time just four points behind.
The Eagles then took charge, rocketing to a 37-point half time advantage.
With a commendable effort, the Falcons hit back in the third term, trimming five points off the margin by the last break.
In the end it was a comfortable 46-point win to the Eagles.
Peter Dye continued on his merry way with four goals for Doveton and Josh Bevis added a couple of his own, being named the winner’s best.
Hallam 9.10 (64) def Lyndale 5.12 (42)
Hallam overcame a slow start in which it scored just a behind in the first term to record a 22-point victory against Lyndale.
The Hawks have moved to third on the ladder.
Matt Neve was Hallam’s best player after not having played in round 1.
Andrew Daly, Kieran Smith and Shane Thomas managed two goals each for the happy Hawks.
Under 19 – Round 1 Review
With Alex Charles
@charlesy93
Dingley and St Pauls kicked off the season in interesting fashion with the Round 2 fixture brought forward to launch the new year of football. Despite the Bulldogs proving too strong, they had to quickly shift focus to their next fixture with East Brighton-Bentleigh, while the Dingoes faced Hampton to complete a challenging opening two fixtures.
The combined East Brighton-Bentleigh side would kick-off what would be considered the opening round of the season as the Vampires would give fans their first glimpse of the team and its direction. St Pauls were ultimately too strong for the Vampires in the impressive 132-point victory. The Bulldogs were relentless as they ended with 23 goals including three quarters where 6 goals were kicked. In addition, they had 11 goal kickers with Round 2’s Leader Shooting Star Ryan Kreymborg backing up his six-goal haul with three majors in his side’s dominant display.
Elsewhere, last season’s finalists Oakleigh District looked to be heading towards a comfortable victory after kicking 6 early goals to lead by 24 points at the opening break. However, Cheltenham slowly began to create a contest by proceeding to win the next two quarters of football. The ability of Cheltenham’s Shaun Cusack and Jordan Jolly to win the ball in contested areas meant their side only trailed by seven points at the final change. And despite a solid last-quarter performance, Oakleigh managed to hold on by four points to secure a crucial win to begin their 2016 campaign.
Meanwhile, Hallam and St Kilda City were to commence their seasons with favourable fixtures. Highett played host to the Hawks, and considering the Dogs’ struggle to get players at Under 19 level, a 40-point defeat was more than acceptable and a move in a positive direction as the club battled until the very end in front of their home fans. Hallam had seven goal kickers in an impressive team display which they’ll look to continue next week against Carrum. Whereas, the Highett Football Club will be feeling positive ahead of their upcoming games given their 20-point deficit after three quarters.
As for the Saints, last year’s premiers faced new entrants Endeavour Hills at Barry Simon Reserve. The Falcons only managed one major during the opening half as they were 27 points down at half time. Unfortunately, the second half continued in similar fashion as the Saints ran out 67-point winners to begin their premiership defence.
Finally, what was touted as ‘the Match of the Round’ between Dingley and Hampton ultimately managed to live up to initial expectations. It was one of the better games of Round 1 with the Hammers winning by 26 points. After a difficult game to open the season, Dingley needed to show some heart and they did. The Dingoes were boosted by the return of Madison Talarico and the spearhead provided a contest for the entire morning, finishing with three majors. For Hampton, it was a great team effort as they managed to win the opening three quarters on their way to a successful opening start to the season. Dingley will be disappointed with their opening two games but are likely to remain a finals contender throughout the season.
Let’s take a look at the scores for the opening round.
Round 1 Results:
East Brighton-Bentleigh 3.2 (20) defeated by
St Pauls 23.14 (152)
Oakleigh District 12.10 (82) defeated Cheltenham 12.6 (78)
Highett 7.6 (48) defeated by
Hallam 12.16 (88)
Endeavour Hills 2.2 (14) defeated by
St Kilda City 11.15 (81)
Dingley 8.8 (56) defeated by
Hampton 13.4 (82) 
