Weekend Wrap-Ups
Photo courtesy of Kim Aitken
DIVISION 1 – ROUND 14 WRAP-UP
With Good Will Hunter
Heatherton came agonisingly close to their maiden victory, playing out a heart-stopping draw with St Kilda City at Peanut Farm. The Saints looked set to extend the Tunners’ losing streak as they led by 22 points at the long break, but wayward kicking in front of goal meant they couldn’t land the killer blow. With Josh Bennett leading the way the Tunners lifted in the second half and fought back to level the scores late in the last quarter. Shane Reid put in a sublime performance for St Kilda City.
Over at Jack Barker Oval St Pauls stretched its winning run to nine matches after cruising to a 25-point win over Cheltenham. The Doggies enjoyed a comfortable buffer all afternoon before the Rosellas added some respectability to the scoreboard with a five-goal final term. Adam McIntyre won plenty of the footy for the visitors, while Kenton Hall played his best game for the year. Pat Nicholls was the standout for Cheltenham with four goals.
Chelsea Heights moved up to fourth spot after defeating East Malvern by 23 points in a hard-fought contest at Dunlop Reserve. The Heighters broke the halftime deadlock with a six-goal-to-two third term that swung the match in the match in their favour. Nathan Davidson provided the spark in attack with four majors and Darren Walsh was again outstanding for the winners, while Shae Skipper was among the Panthers’ best.
Bentleigh’s finals chances took a hit after their 27-point loss to the Vampires at Bentleigh Reserve. After a slow start East Brighton took control in the second term through the midfield dominance of Dean Williamson and Tait Sabec and banged home six goals to give themselves a lead that wouldn’t be surrendered. Former Shooting Star winner Liam Hogton-Hewish also impressed for the Demons.
The last game saw Dingley bounce back after their first loss with a merciless 119-point demolition of Clayton at Souter Oval. The match was over as a contest pretty early on as Dingoes piled on 14 unanswered goals in the first half to blow the Clays off the park. Dean Francis was unstoppable up forward with nine goals while midfield tyro Jackson Peet chipped in with four.
DIVISION 2 – ROUND 14 WRAP-UP
With Jason Barbin
As the season starts to wind up the race for the top 5 has claimed another victim and the list of finals contenders starts to grow thin.
Caulfield went up against Skye and this match showed just how much work the Bears have to do if they want to be competitive come finals time. The Bombers were aggressive from the word go. As it has been all season, their defensive pressure was paramount and it lead to 10 first half goals. They started the second half the same way kicking 6 third quarter goals before relaxing in the final term to run out 59 point winners. Tim Barr and Ben Walker kicked 10 goals between them for Skye.
Hampton moved into a season high 3rd spot on the ladder with a hard fought victory against Murrumbeena. The Hammers were impressive early banging on 8 first half goals to lead by 29 points at half time. Murrumbeena fought back through their young players in the second half to close the gap to 13 points going into the final term but it wasn’t enough as Hampton held on to win by 10 points. Justin Isaacs was among the best for Hampton.
Highett remained just outside the top 5 despite grinding out a victory against Doveton. Both teams fought bravely as the lead changed numerous times throughout the day but experienced players from the Dogs proved to be the difference as they ran out victors by 10 points. Among the best for Highett were veterans Tom Brown, Pat Singh and Jess Elms.
Mordialloc remained in top spot on the ladder with a dominating win against Springvale Districts. Last time these two sides met Springvale upset the Bloods but this time Mordialloc were simply too good. They dominated from the outset kicking 9 first goals on their way to a 111 point win. James Morris was back to his best kicking 6 goals while Lachlan Mciver had one of his best games for the year.
Oakleigh District moved into 4th spot on the ladder with a comfortable victory against Moorabbin. It didn’t take long for Oakleigh to gain the ascendency, kicking 9 first half goals to lead by 30 points at half time. The story was much the same in the second half as Oakleigh piled on another 9 goals to finish with 18 goals from 10 different goals kickers to run out 61 point winners. Elvis Alimovski had one of his best games of the year kicking 2 goals.
DIVISION 3 – ROUND 15 WRAP-UP
With Andrew Paloczi
The clash between Carrum Patterson Lakes and Mount Waverley at Roy Dore Reserve lived up to expectations and was close throughout. More accurate kicking for goal proved the decisive factor in a five-point victory for the Mountain Lions. CPL had five more scoring shots for the day. James Gough continued his outstanding season with another 3 goals in a best on ground performance.
Black Rock was favoured to win at home against Ashwood, and took control of the game in the first half to lead by 23 points at the main break. With the Magpies a couple of games out of the five, they needed a big turn around in the second half to maintain their hopes of a place in the finals. They delivered in the third quarter, playing superbly, to trail by only seven points at the last change. In the final quarter the Magpies kept attacking, whilst the Jets tried to hang onto their lead by slowing the game down and playing defensively. Ashwood took advantage and, after hitting the front with a goal from Josh Stanton, went on to win by 15 points. Paul Wineberg and Matthew Maginnes were the best players for the Magpies.
South Yarra hosted Endeavour Hills and raced to a seven-goal quarter time lead, as the Falcons scored just two behinds for the term. A transformation then came over the game, as the Lions only managed another two goals for the remainder of the day to the Falcons’ 10. Endeavour Hills celebrated an 11-point win, with Shane Peake kicking four goals.
With five goals from co-captain Jason Toan, Sandown defeated Dandenong by 48 points at Edinburgh Reserve. Toan was deservedly named in the Cobras’ best players, as was Mitch Gersbeck.
After an unexpected loss, Lyndale was fired up in its match against the visiting Hallam. The Pumas were relentless in a 149-point demolition of the Hawks. Lyndale has climbed to third place on the ladder. Trevor Kumetaitis booted five goals for the Pumas and was ably assisted by Trent Day with four.
UNDER 19s – ROUND 14 WRAP-UP
With Josh Schonafinger
Chelsea Heights snapped their losing streak with a 38 point victory over Hampton. The difference stood at just eight points at half time, but four goals apiece to Ryan Archer and Luke Batten ensured the Heighters’ margin was pushed out to over six goals.
It was no surprise to see Bentleigh victorious over Highett, as the Dees are still unbeaten this season. Ten goals to Nicholas Lowrie catapulted him into equal leader on the goal kicking tally and helped Bentleigh to a big 168 point win.
A stirring final quarter saw St Pauls come from behind to defeat Cheltenham and make it five wins in a row. The Rosellas lead by ten points at the last break but couldn’t hold on, as the Doggies overran them to win by four points, thanks mainly to a great game from Fred Jenkins.
Carrum Patterson Lakes needed an upset against Skye to keep their finals’ hopes alive and flew out of the blocks with a three goal to none opening quarter. However, the Bombers managed to chip away at the deficit and got up by 17 points at the final sire, Ryan McConville kicking 4 for the victors.
There are still places up for grabs near the top of the ladder and Dingley saw off a fast-starting Clayton to move into second spot. The Dingoes kicked seven goals to two in the second half, led by Vincent Arena’s 5 goals to give them a 27 points victory.
THIRDS – ROUND 14 WRAP-UP
With Josh Schonafinger
Dingley put in another impressive performance to down Clayton by 42 points. The Dingoes kicked away in the second quarter and despite their best efforts, the Clays couldn’t get back in the contest.
Sandown returned to form with an 82 point win over Dandenong. The Cobras held the Redlegs scoreless for the entire second half and made them pay for it, adding ten goals themselves. Matthew McCormick led the way for the Cobras with 5 majors.
One of the form teams of the competition in Endeavour Hills won again, this time against South Yarra. The Falcons had too many goal-kicking options and ran away with it by 58 points. Matthew Munson battles hard all day for the Yarra’s.
Mount Waverley made it a day to forget for Cheltenham, defeating them by 79 points. The Mountain Lions had 12 individual goal kickers and still sit confidently in second position on the ladder.
The largest margin of the weakend went to Cerberus, who thrashed Moorabbin by 158 points. The margin stood at 89 at three quarter time, but Cerberus refused to relent, piling on ten goals to none in the last. Ethan Barclay had a big day out for Cerberus, outscoring Moorabbin on his own kicking 7 goals himself.
Hallam were far too good for Doveton in their clash, winning by 95 points. Anthony Mutsaers played a blinder for the Hawks, kicking four goals.
Finally Skye had few worries overcoming Black Rock as the Jets managed just a solitary goal for the day. The Bombers were far too strong in all facets of the game and were victorious by 135 points.
