Round 4 Wrap-Ups
DIVISION ONE with JASON BARBIN
Round 4 saw two clubs establish themselves in the top 5 while another burst into finals contention.
St Pauls continued their undefeated season with a resounding win against East Malvern. The doggies kept the pumas goalless the whole game while piling on 17 themselves. Liam Wilson was the best for the doggies kicking goals and gathering plenty of possessions in the middle. Luke James brought his goal tally to 22 for the season. Trent Hotten was the best for East Malvern.
In a potential finals match up, Clayton defeated Cheltenham at home by a solid 24 points. The 3-1 start marks Clayton's best start to a season since coming back up to Division 1, while the loss puts the Rosellas just outside the top 5. Paul Tsoucalas was among the best for Clayton with 2 goals while Chris Graham continued his good form with 3 for Cheltenham.
Heatherton’s struggles this season continued with a loss to Chelsea Heights at Ross Street Reserve. The Heighters bounced back after a disappointing loss to St Pauls to record a comfortable win. Jordan Peryman starred for the Heighters with 4 goals while Daley Jones was the best for Heatherton.
St Kilda City took on East Brighton as both teams tried to establish themselves in the top half of the ladder. It would be East Brighton who would succeed with a 7 point come from behind win over the Saints thanks to a 6 goal third term. Dan Reid was the best for the Vamps while big man Steve Arvanitis bagged 3 for the Saints.
Dingley also continued their unbeaten start to the season with a dominant performance against Highett at Souter Reserve. Danny Tunik starred with 7 goals as the Dingoes built a solid lead early and continued to pile on the goals during the second half. Tom Brown was among the best for Highett.
DIVISION TWO with THE FOOTY TRAGIC
Two weeks in a row with 5 winners tipped, I’m becoming more credible by the week.
Caulfield started their game against Skye in fine style, leading at the quarter time break, only to see Skye kickstart their game and score 15 goals 11 against 4 goals 2 in the last 3 quarters to come out easy winners.
At Murrumbeena the game was virtually over at half time with the Home side 7 goals 13 to South Yarra’s 1 goal 1, then “Beena” kicked 18 goals 9 in the last half against 2 goals 4, to give their percentage a must needed boost, which may become handy at the business end of the season. South Yarra has a lot to do to stay away from Division 3 in 2014!
Hampton v Bentleigh turned out to be the thriller of the week, with Bentleigh winning by the smallest possible margin. In a low scoring affair where the back-line players deserved double pay, Bentleigh were behind for the major part of the match, only to find themselves a point ahead at the final siren.
Game of the round was between the last remaining undefeated teams in Division 2. The game lived up to all the hype, with nothing between these teams all day. Once again the back-lines had the better of the forwards and goals were well and truly earned. Three goals to one in the final quarter gave the District a well earned win, but Mordialloc were far from disgraced and will look forward to extracting revenge in the return bout at their home ground.
Final game last week saw Moorabbin unable to put 4 quarters together. The game was all over at three quarter time with Springvale holding a nine goal lead, although they won’t be happy being held to just 2 points in the last quarter whilst the Kangas rallied to score four goals 3, putting a bit of respectability on the scoreboard, hopefully giving them some impetus for the rest of the season
DIVISION THREE with WILL HUNTER
At Edinburgh Reserve, Sandown and Doveton were locked in a tense battle in the first half, before an eight-goal third term saw the Eagles take control. Staring at a 57-point deficit at the final change, the game appeared over for Sandown. Not to be denied, the Cobras clicked into gear and dominated the last quarter. Despite all their momentum, they simply couldn't convert in front of goal – a wasteful 4.9 saw the barnstorming Cobras fall 30-points short. Corrie and Clint Wilson were outstanding contributors for Doveton, but equally as important was Ricky Ramsdale’s six-goal haul. Mitchell McGovern was Sandown’s best, while Jake Chapman was lively up forward with three majors.
Lyndale returned to the winners’ circle with a 35-point win over Black Rock at Barry Powell Reserve. Black Rock held a slender lead heading into the final term, but backed by a vocal home crowd, the Pumas booted seven goals to one to steam roll the Jets. Trevor Kumetaitis was the star with eight goals for the victors.
Over at Barry Simon Reserve, Carrum Patterson Lakes took the chocolates over the winless Endeavour Hills to register its second victory of the year. To their credit, the Falcons fought hard and outscored the visitors in the final term. But with Nigel Scott and Corey Hand leading the charge, the Lions were never headed in their comfortable 35-point triumph.
Dandenong started strongly and took an early lead over Ashwood at Greaves Reserve. Although the Magpies hit back to hold a 5-point advantage at the main break, the Redlegs stepped up a gear in the second half and cruised to a five-goal win. Matt Van Schajik’s four goals were enough to earn him best on ground honours, but he had support in Dylan Bracebridge and Trent Alexander.
Finally, Mount Waverley continued its impressive form with a 98-point trouncing of Hallam at Mayfield Reserve. The Hawks had turned up to play, and provided a real contest in the first term. But that two-point quarter time margin was as close as they got; the Mountain Lions were simply too good and blew the game open. A nine-goal final term completed the rout, with Matthew Jeffries and Jarrod Wilkin on fire for the flag fancies.
UNDER 19’s with WILL HUNTER
At McKinnon Reserve, an undermanned Murrumbeena outfit took the fight right up to St Pauls. With Jackson Meredith on fire for Beena, they led at every change, before finally tiring in the final term. The Doggies capitalised with nine unanswered goals to run out 45-point winners. James Bragagnolo and Michael Constantinou starred for the winners.
Hampton hosted Skye at the Toolbox and their intensity and ferocious tackling seemed to surprise the visitors early. But the bigger and more experienced Bombers overpowered the Hammers in the second half and they cruised to an easy win. Bomber Ryan McConville earned the Leader Shooting Star nomination with his dominant 13-goal haul, while Hampton debutants Tom Bailey and Tristan Brown look to be very impressive acquisitions.
Clayton had a tough outing against a strong Bentleigh side at Meade Reserve. Liam Hogton-Hewish claiming B.O.G. honours with nine goals in the Demons’ big win. Cameron Hookens and Nathan Collins fought hard for the Magpies.
Finally, Dingley claimed its first win of the season with a comfortable victory over Carrum Patterson Lakes at Souter Reserve. The Lions tried hard all day but couldn’t buy a goal as Jake Bowen led the Dingoes’ charge.
