Across the first of two weeks of Sir Doug Nicholls Round, the SFNL celebrated Indigenous culture and contribution while another packed weekend of football reshaped ladders across the men’s and women’s competitions.
From undefeated runs continuing to major upsets and statement wins, Round 6 delivered plenty across every division.
Men’s Division 1
Bentleigh Seniors 13.7 (85) def Narre Warren Seniors 10.11 (71)
Bentleigh grabbed a massive win to get their season back on track, handing Narre Warren their second loss of the year after the Magpies came in off a strong win over Murrumbeena. The third quarter proved the difference, with Bentleigh doing enough damage before Narre Warren’s late comeback attempt. The Demons were stronger at the contest, finishing +26 in contested disposals, +25 in ground balls and +12 in tackles. Callum Dooley kicked four goals, while Andrew Walker had 30 disposals and 11 clearances.
Cranbourne Eagles Seniors 16.14 (110) def Port Melbourne Colts Seniors 12.9 (81)
Port Melbourne remain winless, while Cranbourne moved back to an even win-loss record with a 29-point win. The Eagles put their foot down early and controlled the game through their aerial work, finishing +60 in marks and +21 in intercept marks. Trent Marotta continued to show himself as a genuine forward threat with 4.4, while Mitchell Lewis had 28 disposals, 11 marks and two goals.
Cheltenham Seniors 20.18 (138) def Springvale Districts Seniors 6.7 (43)
Cheltenham showed again why they are one of the sides to beat, thrashing a historically strong Springvale Districts outfit by 95 points. The Rosellas opened with a dominant 42-1 first quarter and never gave Districts a way back into the contest. Springvale were without Erishmilian Uthayakumar in the forward line, but Cheltenham still made a statement, winning the disposal count by 90 and the inside 50 count 74-39. Ben McDonell kicked 6.3, while Rex Kilburn had 38 disposals and 11 inside 50s.
St Paul’s McKinnon Seniors 21.7 (133) def Hampton Park Seniors 9.10 (64)
St Paul’s McKinnon backed up last week’s win with another strong result, defeating Hampton Park by 69 points. The Doggies controlled the game from the start, using the ball cleaner and creating repeat looks forward, finishing +41 in disposals, +26 in marks and +11 in inside 50 marks. Brayden O’Toole continued his strong form with six goals, while Angus Edgar had 27 disposals, nine marks and seven inside 50s.
Dingley Seniors 16.16 (112) def Murrumbeena Seniors 16.12 (108)
Dingley remain the team to beat, holding off a strong Murrumbeena challenge to stay undefeated. The Lions pushed the ladder leaders all the way, winning the disposal count, inside 50s and tackles, but Dingley’s top-end class was enough to get them over the line. Kai Stretton was enormous with 42 disposals, 26 contested possessions, 14 tackles and nine clearances. Tom Morecroft kicked four goals, vice-captain Lachlan Benton kicked three, while Murrumbeena’s Edward Standish kicked five.
Best statistical players of the round
- Kai Stretton - Dingley
42 disposals, 26 contested possessions, 14 tackles, nine clearances, five inside 50s.
- Jacob Edwards - Cheltenham
26 disposals, 15 marks, six contested marks, 34 hit outs, five clearances.
- Rex Kilburn - Cheltenham
38 disposals, 21 contested possessions, eight clearances, 11 inside 50s.
- Mitchell Lewis - Cranbourne
28 disposals, 11 marks, four clearances, two goals.
- Andrew Walker - Bentleigh
30 disposals, 13 contested possessions, 11 clearances, four tackles.
- Ben McDonell - Cheltenham
13 disposals, 10 marks, six inside 50 marks, six goals.
- Brayden O’Toole - St Paul’s McKinnon
15 disposals, six marks, four inside 50 marks, six goals.
Updated top goalkickers
- Marc Holt - Cranbourne Eagles - 20 goals
- Trent Marotta - Cranbourne Eagles - 18 goals
- Will Howe - Narre Warren - 18 goals
- Erishmilian Uthayakumar - Springvale Districts - 18 goals
- Castan Racunica - Bentleigh - 17 goals
- Brayden O’Toole - St Paul’s McKinnon - 14 goals
- Tom Toner - Narre Warren - 13 goals
- Harvey Allan - Port Melbourne Colts - 13 goals
- Tom Morecroft - Dingley - 13 goals
- Finn Ryan - Cheltenham - 11 goals
Men’s Division 2
East Malvern Seniors 17.12 (114) def Highett Seniors 12.8 (80)
East Malvern handed Highett their first loss of the season in a strong 34-point win between two likely finals contenders. The game was tight early before East Malvern broke it open in the second quarter, turning a three-point quarter-time lead into a 26-point half-time buffer. The goals were well spread for the Panthers, with Adam Collinson kicking three, while Jacob Brunner, Nicholas Baltas, Sam Anderson and Bradley Castleman all kicked two. Highett stay in third despite the loss, while East Malvern hold second at 5-1.
Hampton Seniors 19.12 (126) def Caulfield Bears Seniors 8.6 (54)
Hampton dominated from the opening quarter, beating Caulfield by 72 points to move to 3-3. The Hammers led 25-6 at quarter time and never let Caulfield back into the contest, piling on 19 goals in one of their strongest performances of the season. Madden Griffin kicked six goals, while Connor Maher kicked five in a huge forward line display. Caulfield fall to 1-5 and sit eighth.
Frankston Dolphins Seniors 11.16 (82) def Chelsea Heights Seniors 3.8 (26)
Frankston consolidated fourth spot with a 56-point win over Chelsea Heights, moving to 4-2. The Dolphins built the win off a strong defensive performance, holding Chelsea Heights to just nine points in the first half. Frankston’s scoring was evenly spread, with Brock Regan kicking three, while Nick Christoforou, Kain Stratton and Jack Rickinson all kicked two. Chelsea Heights fall to 2-4 after being held to three goals.
Doveton Doves Seniors 12.11 (83) def Keysborough Seniors 8.9 (57)
Doveton kept themselves in range of the top four with a 26-point win over Keysborough. The Burras started well and led by 21 points at quarter time, but Doveton took control from there, holding Keysborough to just two goals across the second and third quarters. Nikolas Hibbert was the difference forward, kicking six of Doveton’s 12 goals. The Doves move to 3-3, while Keysborough’s rocky start continues at 1-5.
Mordialloc Seniors 23.14 (152) def East Brighton Seniors 5.5 (35)
Mordialloc remain the clear team to beat, staying undefeated with a 117-point win over East Brighton. It was the strongest all-round performance of the round, with the Bloods kicking 23 goals and keeping East Brighton to five. Joshua Gibbins kicked seven goals, while William Avery and Tom Kercheval added three each. Mordialloc stay on top at 6-0 with a percentage of 210.04, while East Brighton remain winless.
Round 6 top goalkickers
- Joshua Gibbins - Mordialloc - 7 goals
- Madden Griffin - Hampton - 6 goals
- Nikolas Hibbert - Doveton Doves - 6 goals
- Connor Maher - Hampton - 5 goals
- Adam Collinson - East Malvern - 3 goals
- Archie Grikis - Highett - 3 goals
- Brock Regan - Frankston Dolphins - 3 goals
- Simon Marchese - Keysborough - 3 goals
- William Avery - Mordialloc - 3 goals
- Tom Kercheval - Mordialloc - 3 goals
Updated season top goalkickers
- Archie Grikis - Highett - 25 goals
- Madden Griffin - Hampton - 17 goals
- Isaac Morrisby - East Malvern - 15 goals
- Joshua Gibbins - Mordialloc - 13 goals
- Nikolas Hibbert - Doveton Doves - 13 goals
- Jake Benoiton - Caulfield Bears - 13 goals
- Ethan Bakes - Keysborough - 13 goals
- Kain Stratton - Frankston Dolphins - 13 goals
- Trent Shannon - East Malvern - 11 goals
- Luke Smith - Chelsea Heights - 11 goals
Men’s Division 3
Skye Seniors 12.12 (84) def St Kilda City Seniors 9.15 (69)
Skye held off St Kilda City by 15 points in a strong response after City threatened to take the game away in the third term. Skye led by 37 points at half-time before St Kilda City flipped the game with a seven-goal third quarter to hit the front. Skye steadied late, kicking 5.3 to 2.3 in the final term to seal the win. Matt Long was the difference forward with five goals, while Kai Hiku kicked three. Skye move to 4-2 and sit fifth, level on points with the sides above them.
Hallam Seniors 2.0 (12) def by Black Rock Seniors 29.23 (197)
Black Rock never let the foot off the gas, defeating winless Hallam by 185 points. The Jets kicked 8.8 in the opening quarter and kept rolling from there, finishing with 29 goals and holding Hallam to just two for the match. Jack Gibson had a monster game with eight goals, the best return of his season after previously kicking six against Heatherton. Black Rock move to 4-2 and sit second, building a strong early finals case.
Endeavour Hills Seniors 17.10 (112) def Heatherton Seniors 17.9 (111)
Endeavour Hills handed Heatherton their first loss of the season in a one-point thriller. Heatherton were without leading goalkicker Joel Cusack, a major out in a game decided by the smallest margin, but Endeavour Hills took full advantage and claimed their best win of the year. Samuel Delosa continued his strong form with four goals, while Maurice Papamichael also kicked four. Heatherton stay top, but the race behind them has tightened.
Carrum Patterson Lakes Seniors 12.9 (81) def South Mornington Seniors 6.11 (47)
Carrum Patterson Lakes kept their finals hopes moving with a 34-point win over South Mornington. The Lions trailed by two points at three-quarter time before producing a dominant final term, kicking 6.3 to 0.3 to run away with it. Mathew Baxter kicked seven of Carrum Patterson Lakes’ 12 goals in a match-winning performance. The result takes CPL to 3-3, while South Mornington fall to 1-5.
Berwick Springs Seniors 15.7 (97) def Lyndhurst Seniors 10.4 (64)
Berwick Springs consolidated their top four spot with a 33-point win over Lyndhurst. The Titans broke the game open in the third quarter, kicking 6.4 to 1.0 to turn a 10-point half-time lead into a 44-point three-quarter-time buffer. Captain Hayden Stagg kicked four goals in a strong all-round performance, while Ty Ellison and Jack Bellinger kicked three each. For Lyndhurst, Jack Hazendonk continued his strong form with three goals despite the Lightning’s tough start.
Round 6 top goalkickers
- Jack Gibson - Black Rock - 8 goals
- Mathew Baxter - Carrum Patterson Lakes - 7 goals
- Matt Long - Skye - 5 goals
- Harry Jones - Heatherton - 5 goals
- Samuel Delosa - Endeavour Hills - 4 goals
- Maurice Papamichael - Endeavour Hills - 4 goals
- Hayden Stagg - Berwick Springs - 4 goals
- Kai Hiku - Skye - 3 goals
- Ethan Whish-Wilson - St Kilda City - 3 goals
- George Brayshaw - Black Rock - 3 goals
Updated season top goalkickers
- Joel Cusack - Heatherton - 29 goals
- Jack Gibson - Black Rock - 23 goals
- Ethan Whish-Wilson - St Kilda City - 21 goals
- Ty Ellison - Berwick Springs - 21 goals
- Billy Jackson - Heatherton - 20 goals
- Samuel Delosa - Endeavour Hills - 18 goals
- Aaron Cloke - Black Rock - 18 goals
- Lachlan Harris - St Kilda City - 18 goals
- Matt Long - Skye - 16 goals
- Mathew Baxter - Carrum Patterson Lakes - 16 goals
Men’s Division 4
St John’s OC Seniors 22.15 (147) def Ashwood Seniors 8.3 (51)
St John’s OC kept their miracle start rolling, staying undefeated with a 96-point win over Ashwood. Even against a side that has shown strong form in the division, St John’s again looked a step above the competition. Three players kicked four or more goals, with Joshua Mourant and Timothy Werner kicking five each, while Harvey Emery added four. At 6-0 and with a percentage of 225.00, St John’s are already looking like a side to watch closely come August and September.
Dandenong West Seniors 15.14 (104) def Clayton Seniors 10.4 (64)
Dandenong West showed they are still the best side this side of St John’s OC, defeating Clayton by 40 points to move to 5-1. The Demons trailed at quarter time and half time before taking control after the main break, kicking 11.7 to 4.2 in the second half. Michael Dolan kicked five goals, continuing his strong season at the top of the goalkicking table. After last week’s tight contest against St John’s, Dandenong West continue to look like a major finals threat.
Moorabbin Kangaroos Seniors 15.10 (100) def Doveton Eagles Seniors 10.11 (71)
Moorabbin Kangaroos calmed any worries of a winless season, claiming their first victory with a 29-point win over Doveton Eagles. The Kangaroos led by 15 at quarter time, were challenged in the second term, then broke the game open with a 6.3 to 0.3 third quarter. Nicholas Lowrie was the clear difference, kicking seven goals in a match-winning performance. Moorabbin still sit at the bottom, but they are finally on the board.
Narre South Saints Seniors 12.18 (90) def Lyndale Seniors 9.13 (67)
Narre South pushed themselves up the ladder with a 23-point win over Lyndale. The Saints had an even spread of scoring across the board and held control for most of the day, building a 24-point lead by half time and keeping Lyndale at arm’s length from there. Riley Lucas, Ethan Schubert and Aiden De Santis kicked two goals each for Narre South. For Lyndale, Mitchell Gibson kicked five, but the result sends them further towards the bottom end of the ladder.
Round 6 top goalkickers
- Nicholas Lowrie - Moorabbin Kangaroos - 7 goals
- Michael Dolan - Dandenong West - 5 goals
- Timothy Werner - St John’s OC - 5 goals
- Joshua Mourant - St John’s OC - 5 goals
- Mitchell Gibson - Lyndale - 5 goals
- Harvey Emery - St John’s OC - 4 goals
- Zak Knight - Clayton - 4 goals
- Joshua Johns - Doveton Eagles - 4 goals
- Matthew Johansson - Moorabbin Kangaroos - 3 goals
- Riley Lucas - Narre South Saints - 2 goals
Updated season top goalkickers
- Michael Dolan - Dandenong West - 28 goals
- Andrew Kaldawi - Ashwood - 21 goals
- Coren Giliam - Dandenong West - 19 goals
- Matthew Johansson - Moorabbin Kangaroos - 17 goals
- Mitchell Gibson - Lyndale - 16 goals
- Timothy Werner - St John’s OC - 16 goals
- Joshua Johns - Doveton Eagles - 15 goals
- Matthew Carnelley - St John’s OC - 14 goals
- Joshua Mourant - St John’s OC - 13 goals
- Riley Lucas - Narre South Saints - 13 goals
Women’s Division 1
Endeavour Hills Womens 1 13.11 (89) def Narre South Saints Womens 0.0 (0)
Endeavour Hills again showed why they were last year’s premiers, holding Narre South scoreless in an 89-point win. It is the third time this season they have kept a side under 10 points, and their first full lockout of the year. Alyssa Weston continued her strong form with four goals, while Sienna Alievski kicked three and Tabatha Jones and Emily Kearley kicked two each. Endeavour Hills stay on top of the ladder, one of three sides sitting at 5-1.
Bentleigh Womens 3.10 (28) def Black Rock Womens 2.0 (12)
Bentleigh got the job done against Black Rock, but left a bigger percentage boost on the table with inaccurate kicking. The Demons kept Black Rock goalless in the first quarter and held control from there, despite only kicking three goals from 13 scoring shots. Charli Murphy kicked two of Bentleigh’s three goals, while Sophie James added the other. Bentleigh stay in the top three at 5-1, while Black Rock remain winless.
Murrumbeena Womens 1 7.9 (51) def Casey Thunder Womens 1 3.11 (29)
Murrumbeena kept their top-half form going, defeating Casey Thunder by 22 points to stay second on the ladder. The Lions had to work through a slow start, trailing by nine points at quarter time, before taking control after half time. Casey had their chances but left a lot on the table, kicking 3.11. Charlotte Trewarn again showed why she might be the best forward in the competition, kicking four goals and extending her lead at the top of the goalkicking. Murrumbeena move to 5-1, while Casey drop into the bottom half.
Round 6 top goalkickers
- Alyssa Weston - Endeavour Hills - 4 goals
- Charlotte Trewarn - Murrumbeena - 4 goals
- Sienna Alievski - Endeavour Hills - 3 goals
- Charli Murphy - Bentleigh - 2 goals
- Tabatha Jones - Endeavour Hills - 2 goals
- Emily Kearley - Endeavour Hills - 2 goals
- Rachael Hunt - Casey Thunder - 2 goals
- Felicia Doherty - Endeavour Hills - 1 goal
- Courtney De kroon - Endeavour Hills - 1 goal
- Katherine Vannisselroy - Black Rock - 1 goal
Updated season top goalkickers
- Charlotte Trewarn - Murrumbeena - 16 goals
- Tabatha Jones - Endeavour Hills - 14 goals
- Sienna Alievski - Endeavour Hills - 12 goals
- Katherine Harrak - Bentleigh - 11 goals
- Alyssa Weston - Endeavour Hills - 11 goals
- Lana Fullwood - Casey Thunder - 10 goals
- Mia Fortune - Murrumbeena - 8 goals
- Lainie Krepp - Endeavour Hills - 8 goals
- Emily Kearley - Endeavour Hills - 6 goals
- Rachael Hunt - Casey Thunder - 6 goals
Women’s Division 2
Narre Warren Womens 12.20 (92) def Hallam Womens 1.0 (6)
Narre Warren stayed top of the table with another dominant performance, defeating Hallam by 86 points. The Magpies held Hallam goalless until the third quarter while creating constant chances forward, finishing with 32 scoring shots. Captain Isabella Callinan kicked three goals, continuing to show why she is one of the main goalkicking threats in the division along with teammate Kiara Harvey, who missed this week's fixture. Narre Warren move to 5-1, while Hallam sit at 1-4.
Chelsea Heights Womens 8.15 (63) def Frankston Dolphins Womens 2.1 (13)
Chelsea Heights flipped the script on the men’s matchup, beating Frankston by 50 points. The side controlled the game from the start, holding the Dolphins to just three scores for the match. Tileah Carr kicked three goals, while vice-captain Caitlyn Roden kicked two in a strong forward display. Chelsea Heights move to 4-2 and stay right in the finals mix, while Frankston remain winless.
Mordialloc Womens 1 9.17 (71) def Dandenong West Womens 0.0 (0)
Mordialloc kept pace in a tight finals race with a 71-point shutout win over Dandenong West. The Bloods held Dandenong West scoreless across four quarters while putting together 26 scoring shots of their own. Captain Lauren Haringsma kicked two goals, while Elly Antoniadis also kicked two. Mordialloc move to 4-2, with no room to drop points in a division where five teams are 4-2 or better.
Keysborough Womens 3.3 (21) def Clayton Womens 3.0 (18)
Keysborough gutted out a close three-point win over Clayton to move into second spot. Clayton led at every change, but Keysborough finished the stronger of the two sides to sneak ahead late. Molly Schreenan, Talia Benson and Holly Stephens each kicked one goal for Keysborough. The result pushes Keysborough to 4-1, while Clayton fall into the bottom half of the ladder at 2-3.
Round 6 top goalkickers
- Isabella Callinan - Narre Warren - 3 goals
- Tileah Carr - Chelsea Heights - 3 goals
- Caitlyn Roden - Chelsea Heights - 2 goals
- Lauren Haringsma - Mordialloc - 2 goals
- Elly Antoniadis - Mordialloc - 2 goals
- Krystal Williams - Narre Warren - 2 goals
- Holly Sivyer - Narre Warren - 2 goals
- Kizmin Baker - Narre Warren - 2 goals
- Mikayla George - Chelsea Heights - 1 goal
- Molly Schreenan - Keysborough - 1 goal
Updated season top goalkickers
- Kiara Harvey - Narre Warren - 14 goals
- Isabella Callinan - Narre Warren - 9 goals
- Holly Stephens - Keysborough - 6 goals
- Rada Boskovic - Chelsea Heights - 6 goals
- Mikayla George - Chelsea Heights - 5 goals
- Caitlyn Roden - Chelsea Heights - 5 goals
- Tenielle Potter - Clayton - 5 goals
- Courtney Siwes - Narre Warren - 5 goals
- Nataley Burr - Chelsea Heights - 4 goals
- Holly Sivyer - Narre Warren - 4 goals
