DIVISION 1 – ROUND 18 WRAP-UP
With Good Will Hunter
St Pauls has extended its winning run to an incredible 13 matches after eclipsing the Demons by 44 points at Bentleigh Reserve. Although Bentleigh showed plenty of fight and determination in the opening term, they had no answer to the Dogs’ dominance after the first change. The mercurial Luke James put on an absolute clinic, slotting eight goals in a best-afield display. Mark Marasco and young James Bragagnolo also found plenty of the Sherrin for the winners.
East Malvern finished their year on a high, cruising to a comfortable 35-point win over St Kilda City at Peanut Farm. The Panthers gained the ascendancy in the premiership quarter and never looked back, booting five goals to one to take a sizable lead into final term. Benji Neal had a day out with seven goals, while Tremaine Tohiariki and Will Sadler were also influential for the winners.
East Brighton belted Heatherton by 11 goals at Namatjira Park to cap off what’s been a horror year for the Tunners. The Vampires were wasteful in front of goal in the first term and that kept Heatherton in the contest. But the Tunners couldn’t contain Vampires Sam Dillon, Tait Sabec and Will Hetherington, whose efforts helped their side over the line.
Down at Meade Reserve it was one-way traffic with Chelsea Heights belting Clayton by 56 points. The Clays were never really in the hunt as the finals-bound Heighters skipped away to a big half-time advantage. With Mark Stevens putting in an absolute blinder, the visitors sealed the win with five final term goals. Veteran Darren Walsh and Ash Beasy each kicked four majors.
As expected Dingley took the points over Cheltenham, but the manner in which they destroyed the Rosellas was almost frightening. After steadily extending their lead at every change, the Dingoes were simply merciless in the final term, banging home 11 majors to complete a 111-point demolition. In the absence of the league’s leading goalkicker, Dean Francis, Dingoes Andrew Frost and Adam Stock stepped up to the plate and finished with nine goals between them.
DIVISION 2 – ROUND 18 WRAP-UP
With Jason Barbin
Though the top 5 was locked and loaded heading into the final round of the home and away season, round 18 provided some close encounters as teams prepared for the finals.
Caulfield secured a top 3 spot after a tight win against Murrumbeena. The Bears were sluggish early in the first quarter but recovered well in the second, kicking 5 goals to trail by 8 points. They switched on in the second half, applying pressure in the midfield, restricting Murrumbeena's run and carry, to eventually run out 14 point winners. Colin Trigellis-Smith was among the best with 3 goals.
Mordialloc officially secured the minor premiership with a commanding win against Doveton. The Bloods were clinical from start to finish as they built an 8 goal lead by halftime. The second half proved to be a little tougher and Doveton stepped up but even though they matched Mordialloc for much of the second half they weren't able to close the gap as the Bloods ran out 61 point winners. James Pennycuick kicked 6 goals.
Oakleigh Districts gained some confidence heading into next season with a comfortable win against Hampton. Oakleigh trailed at quarter time but restricted the Hammers to just one behind in the second quarter to lead by 23 points at half time. The game evened up in the second half as Hampton attempted a comeback but ultimately were unable to break the stalemate as Oakleigh won by 23 points. Will Lemarca among the best for Oakleigh.
Springdale Districts finished the home and away season on a high with a resounding win against Moorabbin. Springvale were dominant from start to finish, leading at every change, showing good pressure in their forward half that led to 37 scoring shots. Gav Vasallo was best on ground kicking 6 goals as Springvale ran out 11 goal winners.
Skye bounced back from a tough loss last week to record a dominating win against Highett. The Bombers ran out with a point to prove and though Highett were able to hang on early, the second half was owned by Skye as they kicked 15 goals to 1, eventually winning the game by 135 points. Luke Mcguinness kicked himself into some much needed form heading into the finals with 12 goals.
DIVISION 3 – Qualifying and Elimination Finals WRAP-UP
With Andrew Paloczi
Qualifying final
A large crowd basked in sunshine as the qualifying final between Carrum Patterson Lakes and Sandown got under way. The Cobras were venomous early, with Nick Morrish booting the first goal of the game and Frank Martinicchio adding another soon after.
The Lions’ first goal came from Stuart Cormack, and they hit the front when Chris Barr kicked accurately. Their confidence grew and they built an eight-point advantage by quarter time.
In the second quarter the Lions were menacing with the wind behind them. With the Cobras trailing by 23 points mid-quarter, the game threatened to get away from them, but Jake Chapman responded with a crucial goal to keep them in touch.
Late in the term, the Cobras showed some real dash, but a goal from Joel Dalton on the siren increased the Lions’ lead.
The Cobras’ effort remained strong in the third quarter, but CPL was playing more polished football and punished Sandown’s regular turnovers. Justin Olaman continued to mark strongly, and when he booted an impressive goal, the Lions had a five-goal lead and looked set to run away with the match.
At the 15-minute mark the Cobras managed their first goal of the half, when Ben Adams bounced one through. Jason Toan added another, giving Sandown momentum.
17 points down at the last change, Sandown players were urged to run hard in the final term. They responded and a major to Mitchell Gersbeck brought them within two goals of the Lions. That was their final score as the threat of being overrun galvanised CPL, which went on to win by 33 points.
The match was fairly even in terms of effort, but the margin reflected CPL’s more accurate passing.
Adam Lello was a consistent contributor for the Lions and was named their best player, and Trevor March finished with four goals.
Elimination final
Lyndale flew to a 19-point lead early in its elimination final clash with Black Rock. However, Tom Dewar put through his first to get the Jets going. At quarter time Lyndale led by 13 points.
The second quarter was a real battle early as both sides strived to gain the ascendancy. The Pumas then pulled away.
Approaching time-on Lyndale had a commanding 33-point lead following a great snap from Tommy Clappers, but a couple of late ones put the Jets in the hunt.
The third quarter began with rain falling, but it did not dampen the Jets’ spirit. They reduced the margin to seven points and were applying immense pressure on the Pumas. One goal-saving tackle from the Jets was superb.
Just as it seemed the Pumas were under threat, they clicked into gear and kicked four goals on the trot to take a 32-point lead. But a team-lifting tackle from Tom Dewar, and subsequent goal on the siren kept the Jets alive.
The final term started in spectacular fashion with Tom Dewar booting two goals and missing another shot within five minutes of the resumption. The game remained in the balance for most of the quarter, but Trevor Kumetaitis’ third major ensured the Pumas could not be passed, and they sang their song with gusto after a 14-point victory. Matthew Stuart was best for the Pumas.
UNDER 19s – ROUND 18 WRAP-UP
With Josh Schonafinger
Congratulations to Bentleigh who last weekend, confirmed the inevitable by claiming the minor premiership. They ran over St Pauls by 66 points, with the Doggies managing just four goals all day. Nicholas Lowrie was again a focal point for the undefeated Dees, kicking seven goals and in the process finishing on top of the league goal-kicking, with 70 majors.
Carrum Patterson Lakes showed that they still had plenty of firepower left, scoring 100 points for just the third time this season, against Hampton. Cameron Neale and Alex Wilson combined for nine CPL goals, leaving the Hammers with no answers in the 51 point win.
An eight goal haul to Ryan McConville played a big part in taking Skye to a mighty 82 point victory over Highett. Exactly like Bentleigh and CPL, the Bombers registered 15 goals to lock up fourth spot on the ladder. The Dogs unfortunately finished bottom of the ladder and will be looking for a big improvement next season.
Dingley had a comfortable run-in to finals with a 75 point triumph over Cheltenham. The Rosellas only kicked two goals for the day, meanwhile the Dingoes’ Caelin Brooker kicked six of his own.
The Dingoes wrapped up second place with a win.
Clayton needed a huge percentage boost against Chelsea Heights to displace the Dingoes in second spot so they were on the attack from the get go. Four goals and a best on ground performance from James Symons was enough for an 88 point win, but not enough to finish higher than third.
THIRDS – ROUND 18 WRAP-UP
With Josh Schonafinger
Dingley secured the minor premiership with a huge win over Cheltenham, 178 points in all. Scott Morris kicked five goals, and 15 of his teammates kicked at least one goal as well. The Rosellas managed only two points all day and finish the season in 10th position.
Finals-bound Endeavour Hills also had a comfortable victory, 135 points over Doveton. Cedric LeGrand and James McNeill both kicked four goals each while the Falcons got 22 in total. The Eagles on the other hand, will finish the season winless.
Skye had a very handy win over Sandown, making the Cobras look far from venomous. Six goals to Blake Bormann and five to Michael Kalviskis were highlights in attack for the Bombers, and keeping Sandown scoreless for the first three quarters was a highlight for the defense.
Dandenong matched it with Mount Waverley for the first half in their clash, but that’s where the resistance would end. The Mountain Lions kicked ten goals to three in the second half to complete a 54 point win. Joel Wickman had a cracker for the victors.
It was another Cerberus onslaught as they did what they do best against Hallam; kick lots of goals. The Hawks were really never in the contest, kicking just a solitary goal for the day while Cerberus piled on 16. 106 points was the final margin but wasn’t enough to push them into third spot on the ladder.
In the other matches last weekend, Clayton were too good for Black Rock thanks to a massive game from Luke Romanelli and South Yarra just snuck over the top of Moorabbin by 15 points
Daryl Pitman
Leader Journalist
Lyndale has advanced to the Southern Football League Division Three first semi-final with a hard-fought, 14-point win over Black Rock in yesterday’s elimination final at Heatherton.
Lyndale has advanced to the Southern Football League Division Three first semi-final with a hard-fought, 14-point win over Black Rock in yesterday’s elimination final at Heatherton. The Pumas answered every challenge, including a late surge by the Jets..........
Read Daryl’s full article
HERE
