SFNL is Back! - Round 10 Review Division 1-4
Division 1 – Round 10 Review
Southern footy was back in a big way on the weekend and Round 10 threw up plenty of intriguing results in Division 1.
Dingley continued their strong form with their seventh win of the season, running over the top of Mordialloc 13.13-91 to 6.6-42 at Ben Kavanagh Reserve. Justin Van Unen stole the show in his first senior appearance for the Dingoes this season, kicking four goals to be the best player on the ground. The Dingoes looked to be heading towards a comfortable victory before the Bloodhounds rallied in the third quarter with five goals to two leaving the game in the balance at the final change. But as they so often do, the Dingoes rose to the occasion and ran away with the contest with a prolific final term blitz. Danny Ades led from the front with two snags and Andrew Godfrey was also in the thick of things for the victors. The result ensures the Dingoes maintain top spot while the Bloods quest for September action slips further from their grasp.
It was a one sided affair over at Jack Barker Oval with Cheltenham, 23.20-158, steamrolling Highett ,7.5-47, in a 111 point slaughtering. The Rosellas returned to the winners list in comprehensive style in what resembled a training drill at stages. The Doggies were up for the fight in the first quarter with three early goals but that’s where the joy stopped for the visitors. The second stanza saw the home side pile on nine goals in quick time to bury the contest. 10 goals to four in the second half ensured that the Rosellas would run out with a handy percentage booster. Jack Hutchins and Luke Garnaut dominated up forward with seven goals each while Austin Johnson was damaging with ball in hand.
The Battle of Bentleigh saw St Paul’s register just their second victory, the Dogs holding off a fast finishing Bentleigh by 11 points. The home side entered the game as underdogs but shocked the Demons with a blistering opening term that saw them take a 32 point quarter time lead. The Dees were able to compose themselves after the resumption but still found themselves 27 points in arrears at the final break. The visitors came home with a wet sail in the last with four goals but ultimately left their run too late going down 13.9-87 to 11.10-76. The defeat is a massive blow to Bentleigh’s final aspirations who need everything to go right to sneak into the top five. St Paul’s were the far better side on the afternoon and the victory is well deserved after plenty of toil for minimal reward this season. Stephen Muller continued his solid season up forward with another haul of four goals and Kieran Knox put together another four quarter performance.
No fans were able to witness the contest at Murphy Reserve and it proved to be a blessing in disguise for Saints fans after St Kilda City were humbled by 46 points by Port Melbourne Colts. Billed as close contest pre game, the Colts made a mockery of the Saints in the second quarter to claim a seven goal lead at the main break. The Saints surged back in the third term with six goals but couldn’t maintain the rage as the home side broke away in the last once again. The final score 16.15-111 to 10.5-65. Chris Deluca starred for the winners with four goals while Mitch Sondergeld and Justin Taylor led the way on the disposal count.
The final match of the round was much closer than many anticipated with East Malvern managing to brush off a determined Oakleigh District outfit by just 15 points, 8.19-67 to 7.10-52. At no stage were the visitors ever able to claim control with the margin never exceeding three goals at any break. District were dogged all afternoon, dragging the Panthers into an arm wrestle that they could never break out of. The visitors did begin to get on top in the final stanza but sprayed some chances in front of goal to nullify their dominance. Luke Duffy was best on ground yet again and chipped in with two goals, while Ed Sim enjoyed another solid day at the office. For District, Dan Marchese slotted four majors and Dan Kiellerup dominated with the Sherrin in hand.
Division 2 – Round 10 Review
Hampton’s search for a win continues after the Hammers went down to Skye for the second time this season, 5.4-34 to 7.13-55. It was a scrappy affair early, with just four goals kicked in the opening forty minutes of play. Things opened up in the third with the Bombers booting three third term goals to have victory in sight. The home side battled hard in the final term but ran out time to fall by 21 points. Jack Henderson had a day out for the Bombers to be best on ground and Michael Kelly wasn’t too far behind him. Dan Campisano was excellent for Hampton once again and livewire Shakore Bragg-Taylor booted two goals.
Keysborough made a flawless return to football with an impressive 37 point triumph over Hampton Park at Robert Booth Reserve. It was a cracking contest early, with the Redbacks taking a slender four point advantage after an action packed opening term. But the Burras took the upper hand after the first huddle, kicking four goals to zip to claim a three goal buffer at half time. They carried on their merry way after the break and it was party time in the last as they ran away with a comfortable victory, 14.9-93 to 7.14-56. Geoff Humphreys played out of his skin for the Burras and goal kicking machine Matt Carnelley finished with five goals next to his name.
Chelsea Heights returned to the winners list at Ross Street Reserve, the visitors far too strong for Heatherton recording an 87 point thrashing, 17.11-113 to 4.2-26. The Heighters were under plenty of pressure heading into the clash but eased any doubts early with seven goals in the opening stanza. They never looked back from there and picked up a handy percentage booster in addition to four crucial points. Lachy O’Beirne booted four goals for the Demons and Jordan Peryman finished with three majors in a complete performance. James Norton continued to prove his worth in the senior side with another solid effort up forward with three majors.
It was billed as a potential Grand Final preview pre-game and for the majority of the afternoon the clash between Springvale Districts and Caulfield certainly lived up to the hype. The Bears got the jump on the Demons early before the home side fought back in the second stanza to take a three point lead to half time. The third term was riveting arm wrestle as both sides traded goals with it still anyone's game with one term to go. But the cream rose to the top, with Springy slamming through seven final quarter goals to run away with yet another impressive victory, 14.8-92 to 10.7-67. Mladen Josic and Mason Russell’s performances were crucial in the home side’s victory and Matt Wetering proved once again why he’s one of the best in the business with another haul of seven majors. The Bears were brave but it was Chris Smith or bust up forward with the key forward booting eight of his team’s 11 goals. A fantastic individual performance no doubt but this unhealthy reliance is unlikely to be sustainable at the pointy end of the season.
East Brighton took one more step in their journey towards September action with a comprehensive 69 point belting of Murrumbeena, 17.16-118 to 7.7-49, at Beena Arena. The match followed an entirely predictable script with the lowly Beena simply no match for a finals bound unit. The Vampires forwards feasted on Beenas defence with Liam Reidy, Marcus Lavender and Tom Larby all slotting two majors each. Nathan Foster was clearly the best man on the ground with half a dozen goals capping off a dominant performance.
Division 3 – Round 10 Review
Division 3 football returned with a shock upset as South Mornington registered back-to-back wins following a thrilling one point victory over South Yarra at Citation Reserve. No one gave the Tigers much hope of recording their second win and even less so after the Yarras kicked the opening three goals to make the early running. The home side bounced back in the second with two goals to keep themselves in the hunt at half time. Things stepped up a notch in the third quarter with both sides booting three goals each with the Lions holding just a five point advantage with twenty minutes to go. In a grandstand finish it was the Tigers who dug deep, kicking three crucial goals to claim a stunning one point victory, 8.8-56 to 8.7-55. Adam Nekic pumped out another best afield display for the home side and Kyle Benallack made his mark in his first game with three crucial goals.
Black Rock returned to football with a comfortable but at times patchy 89 point victory over Doveton at Conway Cranes Power Reserve. No one was expecting much from the top against bottom match but the Eagles put up a terrific fight in the first half to trail by under four goals. The Jets got their skates on in the third before completely overpowering the home side in the final term to clock up a decent score, 16.17-113 to 4.0-24. Mick Donehue took his goal tally to 32 for the season with four majors here and Ryan Minahan continued his strong pre-lockdown form. The Eagles battled hard and were led once again by playing coach Josh Johns who never gave up for his team.
Clayton remain in the hunt for a top two finish after they downed Endeavour Hills by 17 points in an absorbing contest at Meade Reserve. The Clays bust the game open in the second with up a four goal buffer before the Falcons fought back to cut the margin to two kicks at the final change. Both sides trading goals in a final quarter slog with the home side finding the answers to hold on for a professional victory, 11.6-72 to 8.7-55. Dean Evangelista and Paul Tsoucalas combined up forward with five goals between the pair while star ruckman Jesse Henderson dominated around the ground. The loss bumps the Falcons out of the top four and they have plenty of work to do to claim back a finals spot. Sam McLean, brother of Western Bulldog Toby, was excellent for the losers with two goals.
The final game of the round saw another boilover as Narre South claimed a big win over Ashwood to reclaim a spot in the top four. It was an absolute belter of a contest for the opening three quarters, with the margin never straying into double figures at any change. But the Saints were sensational in the last term, kicking four key goals to run out with a ripping victory, 11.10-76 to 5.17-47. Brandon Nolan was enormous up forward with five goals for the winners and Brad Little and Regan Hall powered their side to victory with strong performances around the ball. The Magpies were sloppy in their return to action and will rue their inaccuracy in front of goal, especially in the second half where they booted 2.15 in a woeful display.
Division 4 – Round 10 Review
While it didn’t look the most appetizing game on paper, the clash between Lyndale and Dandenong certainly made sure that Division 4 football returned with a bang as Dandenong recorded their first victory in thrilling fashion. The Pumas started strongly before the Redlegs hit back with the game well and truly in the balance at the main change. With the Pumas holding a two goal break heading into the last it appeared as though the visitors were in line for yet another heartbreaking loss. But it wasn’t to be as Dandenong dominated in an inspired showing, kicking five final quarter goals to pinch a classic victory, 10.11-71 to 10.5-65. Dylan Diacono was absolutely superb and dragged his side over the line with five crucial goals in a best on ground effort.
Carrum Patterson Lakes maintained their status as the team to beat with a resounding 55 point victory over Lyndhurst at Roy Dore Reserve. The top of the table clash turned into a fizzer as the Lions blew the Lightning away in the first quarter with seven goals to zip. The visitors fought hard in the second half and managed to stop the bleeding but were simply no match when it mattered most. It’s an ominous sign for the rest of the competition with the gap between CPL and the rest of the clubs seemingly widening as every week passes. Kristian Harper and Tyler Neal both found the big sticks with four and three goals each respectively, while Sam Simpson also chipped in with two goals to go with his dominant display. Charlie Gardiner the lone hand for the losers with two majors.
They’ve had to wait since early May but at last Cerberus returned to the winners list to get their finals campaign back on track. The Three-Headed Dogs proved too strong for Moorabbin to run out big winners, 20.13-133 to 11.6-72. It was raining goals in the first half with 25 majors kicked by both teams in an entertaining display. Things slowed down after the half time address but the visitors were able to maintain their grip on a big lead. Jake Hinder was impactful in front of goal with six goals, while Anthony Spence and Brendon D’Rozario both chipped in with four majors each.
Even a pause in play couldn’t stop the Hawks winning streak as Hallam proved too good for Frankston in their clash at Hallam Reserve. The Dolphins fought bravely to trail by just 11 points at three quarter time but the home side stepped it up in notch in the final term with four goals powering them to a 28 point victory, 9.8-62 to 5.4-34. That makes it five in a row for the Hawks and leaves them a game clear of the Dolphins in fourth spot. Rory McIvor was superb for the home side as was Josh Donald, while Tom Bradley led the way up forward with three snags.
