By Will Hunter
@Will_Hunter89
Listen back to this week’s The 5th Quarter podcast, featuring SFNL field umpire and former AFL goal umpire Luke Walker as the special guest, in the player above.
ROUND 4 REVIEW
Chelsea Heights 13.7 (85) def by Dingley 14.14 (98)
It was hard yakka, but Dingley did enough to return from Beazley Reserve with the four points courtesy of their 13-point victory over Chelsea Heights.
There was little separating the two teams on the scoreboard for much of the day, but the Dingoes did enough to keep their noses in front at every change.
The Division 1 newcomers were certainly not overawed by the challenge of the three-time reigning premier, and their six-goal second term sent a clear statement that they would not give up without a fight on its home deck.
But with co-captains Jackson Peet and Trav La Rocca leading from the front, the visitors maintained their advantage throughout the second half to secure their third win of the season.
Young Rory Goldsmith continues to emerge as one of the competition’s rising stars, putting in another stellar performance that included three majors, while Chris Horton-Milne was also influential in the critical moments.
Joel Williams and Jordy Peryman led the way for the Heighters, who were gallant in defeat, while Michael O’Driscoll booted four goals.
Mordialloc 14.9-93 def Oakleigh District 4.8-32
The Bloods signalled their return to Ben Kavanagh Reserve with a comprehensive 61-point triumph over Oakleigh District.
The visitors were kept scoreless in the opening term as Mordi grabbed the early ascendancy in a scrappy first half, extending their lead at every change. They simply had no answer to the dominance of Chris Brooking, who won plenty of the footy off half back, and Bloods skipper Todd Bastion who did as he pleased through the middle in his best game for the year.
James Morris continued his good form in front of the sticks, bagging four majors.
While Mordialloc were far too strong, the Oaks fought hard all day, with Jake Mullen and Mitchell Pierce (three goals) among the key contributors.
Cheltenham 6.8 (44) def by East Malvern 17.11 (113)
A disappointing second half fade-out has seen Cheltenham slump to its fourth consecutive defeat, belted by an impressive East Malvern to the tune of 69 points at Jack Barker Oval.
The Rosellas took their opportunities in front of goal in the first half – an issue that has plagued them so far this season – and as a result found themselves right in the contest at the long break.
Bur from there it all went pear-shaped for the home side as the Panthers booted 12 goals to their two in the second half to run out comfortable winners.
Justin Maddern booted five goals on an impressive debut for the Panthers, while Luke Duffy, Nick Barry and Mark Tyrell were also prolific.
For the beaten Rosellas, it was the usual suspects in Billy Robertson, Drew Kelly, Jack Barclay and Chris Neophitou leading the resistance.
St Pauls 15.8 (98) def Port Melbourne Colts 9.2 (56)
The Dogs remain unbeaten in 2018 after defeating the Colts by 42 points at the Kennel.
It was a tough, high-pressure contest for much of the afternoon, with the Colts bringing plenty of physical intensity. But despite their endeavours, the visitors were unable to trouble the scorers in the opening stanza, however they hit back with three goals in the second to stay within 17 points.
But St Pauls would not be headed, and as the game opened up in the final term, the hosts flexed their muscle. Both sides doubled their goals tally in the final stanza, with the Dogs’ booting eight majors to seal their fourth straight win.
Paul Booth made a statement in his first game in the blue, red and white, with the big man slotting three goals and giving the Dogs midfielders first use from the stoppages. Curtis Murfett was one of the major beneficiaries, and had plenty of the footy throughout the arvo, while Steve Muller and Matt Kreymborg also booted seven majors between them.
For the Colts, Lew Mildenhall, Andrew Lovett and Tom Nicholls (three goals) were the standouts.
St Kilda City 9.11 (65) def Bentleigh 8.7 (55)
The Saints have claimed their first big scalp of the season, knocking off the visiting Bentleigh by 10 points at the Peanut Farm.
It was a win of some magnitude and sends a strong message to the rest of the competition that Richard Houston’s boys mean business in 2018.
City had much of the play, but wasted their chances in the opening term, registering 1.5 to trail by a point at the first change. But they clicked into gear after quarter time, and after a scintillating premiership quarter that yielded four goals to the Demons’ one, the hosts had shot out a 25-point advantage with one quarter to play.
As expected the Bentleigh boys refused to lie down and fought hard to get back in the contest in the final term, but they couldn’t quite bridge the gap, falling 10 points short.
Will Debruin starred for the winners, while several young first-year Saints in Jack Vorbach, Xavier Jordan and Oscar Don also impressed.
For the Demons, Michael Rogers and Jackson Meredith found plenty of the footy through the middle, while Sam McGarry proved a handful in attack with three goals.
