Division 1 – Round 8 Wrap-Up
With Good Will Hunter
Clayton celebrated stalwart Corey Pearce's 300th game in black and white in fine style, recording a 33-point victory over the Rosellas at Meade Reserve. The Clays overcame a sluggish start to seize control of the game in the third term before cruising to victory on the back of a four-goal-to-one final quarter. Jesse Henderson was again best afield while the milestone man himself chipped in with two majors. Pat Nicholls starred for Cheltenham and was their only multiple goalkicker.
A wasteful second term cost East Malvern dearly in their clash with ladder-leaders Dingley at Dunlop Reserve. Attacking with the breeze, the Panthers dictated the vast majority of the play, but squandered several opportunities in front of goal and trailed by 28 points at the half. With Dan Farmer and Jackson Peet running amok, the Dingoes dominated in the second half to run out 46-point winners. East Malvern's stand-in skipper Ryan Fitzgerald never stopped trying and featured among his side's best. -
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Meanwhile St Pauls ground out a hard-fought 21-point victory over Bentleigh at the Kennel. The Dogs had their noses in front at every change and held the Demons at arm's length in a pulsating final term. Skipper Ken Hall and gun midfielder Liam Wilson were prolific ball-winners and paramount in their side's win. However the signs are good at Bentleigh Reserve, with their kids again among the standouts – ruckman Saf Balic was named their best and key forward Matt Troutbeck booted four goals.
East Brighton won its seventh game on the trot after belting Mordialloc by 46 points at Hurlingham Park. Their defence, led by Andrew Jansen, was superb as they held the Bloods goalless in the second and third terms and restricted them to just four for the match. Tate Sabec was simply electric and found plenty of the pill, while for the visitors it was David Marguglio doing much of the heavy lifting.
Over at the Peanut Farm, the Saint’s snuffed out Chelsea Heights’ hopes of a maiden victory, winning by 34 points. St Kilda City’s inaccuracy in front of the sticks kept their opponents in the contest for three quarters, before four goals in the final term finally killed off the Heighters’ challenge. The Sullivan brothers, Tim and Henry, both put in impressive performances to help lead their side to their second win of the season. Luke Manders found some solid form in his third game of the year while Lachie Dobson was also influential for Chelsea Heights.
Division 2 – Round 8 Wrap-Up
With Jason Barbin
Round eight saw the first loss for the previously undefeated Burras as the ladder begins to take shape.
Hampton has bounced back from last week’s loss to Skye with a comfortable 34 point win against Doveton Eagles away from home. After a close first half, the Hammers managed to pull away in the third quarter thanks to the work of midfielders Justin Isaac and Josh Burbidge. In the absence of Joel Hanlon, Scott Fiora was the primary target up forward for Hampton kicking five goals.
In the game of the round, Oakleigh Districts defeated Keysborough by two points and moved into top spot on the division two ladder. The two teams traded goals all afternoon and never gave an inch as they battled right until the final siren. Despite kicking four goals, Tyson King was well held by best on ground Dan Kiellerup while David Velardo kicked five goals for the Districts.
Murrumbeena have overcome a slow start to finish as comfortable 50 point winners against a lacklustre Heatherton side. The return of former club captain Matt Jones to the side helped spark the Beena into action after a disappointing first quarter. Murrumbeena fought back and held the Tonners to four goals the rest of the day, kicking 12 themselves. Darcy Hargrave was the best of those with five goals in a best on ground performance.
Skye have continued on its winning ways with an easy 61 point win over Springvale Districts at Springvale Reserve. The Bombers never looked in doubt as they dismantled a disappointing Springvale side in desperate need of a win. Though still missing key players in the midfield, Skye had valuable contributions from Shaun Thomas and Ben Harper while Ben Evans kicked three goals.
Caulfield has won its third game in a row with tough 17 point victory against Highett at Turner Road Reserve.
In blustery conditions, the Bears looked in control in the first quarter before Highett hit back in the second to reduce the margin to four points at half time. But Caulfield took control again in the third quarter, kicking seven goals to two to take a 35 point lead into the final quarter. Despite a Highett comeback, Caulfield hung on to win by 17 points. Adam Connell was back to his best at full forward kicking six goals.
Division 3 – Round 8 Wrap-Up
With Andrew Paloczi
At Mayfield Park, spectators witnessed a tough battle between Mount Waverley and Carrum Patterson Lakes. The swirling, biting wind arguably favoured the Lions in the first term, but often blew across the ground and made kicking for goal a nightmare. The game’s first major took 13 minutes, coming from the boot of Garrett Kinchington. The Mountain Lions went to the huddle with a one-goal lead after CPL managed just eight behinds for the quarter.
Mount Waverley skipped to a 34-point advantage approaching half time, but a goal to Trevor March brought CPL a little closer as the term concluded. By the last change, the Mountain Lions’ lead was 17 points. They booted the first three goals in the last stanza, but CPL battled to the end, and the Mountain Lions finished 13-point victors. Chris Jeffries was named their best player, and kicked a couple of impressive goals.
After squandering opportunities last week through errant kicking for goal, South Yarra improved, booting more goals than behinds in a 13-point win over Sandown. The Cobras were afflicted with their own goal-kicking problems this week, managing just 7 goals 14 behinds for the day. Jordan Cellini was the best player for the Lions.
Tom Dewar booted 6 goals to move to the top of the goal-kicking table, helping to guide Black Rock to another comfortable victory, this time over Lyndale. Brent Rafferty was the Jets’ best player in a 45-point win.
Chris Meyers put through seven goals, and Frank Martinicchio six in a commanding Ashwood performance against the Southern Dragons. The Magpies’ Michael Langford was named best on ground in a 139-point triumph.
Although playing away from home, Moorabbin was expected to hit back hard after its first loss for the year. Unfortunately for opponent Dandenong that was precisely how events transpired. The Redlegs went down by 91 points, with the Kangaroos’ Michael Kinsella leading the way as best on ground, ably assisted by Mimo Dimachki who booted seven goals.
The final match of the round took place under lights at Hallam Reserve. Underdog, Hallam, took it up to Endeavour Hills in the first half and trailed by just one point at the long break. The Falcons pulled away in the remainder of the match, recording a 40-point win. Shane Peake kicked four goals for them and Matthew Peake was their best player.
