By Jason Barbin
@JBarbin10
Listen back to this week’s The 5th Quarter podcast, featuring SFNL CEO Mike Palmer as the special guest, in the player above.
ROUND 11 PREVIEW
There was plenty of action in Division 2 on the weekend with Hampton scoring an upset win and Murrumbeena narrowly getting across the line against Keysborough.
Murrumbeena 16.9 (105) def Keysborough 14.9 (93)
This game narrowly edges out Hampton’s win against Caulfield due to the impact this will have come finals time with both sides now having a win against the other on the road.
Murrumbeena led this game at every change, but it was a thriller from start to finish after a fantastic start from Keysborough.
The Burra booted five of the first six goals of the game before a five-goal unanswered run from Murrumbeena put them in front for good.
Luke James’ goal kicking form continued with another five majors, while Jamie Hackett was best on ground alongside Eduardo Espinosa who booted four majors.
After recovering from a four-goal deficit to lead by six points at quarter time, the Beena broke away in the second with four goals to two to lead by 21 points at half time.
Keysborough was able to dig deep in the third and slowly got back into the game, booting two goals to Murrumbeena’s one to reduce the gap to 11 points.
A fast and furious final term ensued with the game on the line, with the Burra getting to within five points midway through the term, but the Beena booted two of the last three goals of the game to come away with a 12-point win.
Chris Bryan was named Keysborough’s best with three goals, while James Anwyl was also impressive.
Hampton 13.11 (89) def Caulfield 12.9 (81)
Hampton kept its finals hopes well and truly alive with a confidence boosting eight-point upset win against fifth placed Caulfield.
The Hammers led at every change but had to withstand a furious comeback from the Bears, who got to within nine points early in the last after trailing by 21 points at three quarter time.
David West was simply superb for the victors, named best afield alongside James Gascard (two goals) and Matt Thorneycroft while Michael Ashman booted three goals.
After conceding the first goal, Hampton burst out of the blocks and kicked five of the next six goals to lead by seven points at the quarter time break, before extending the lead to 14 points by half time, courtesy of a three-goal second term.
The Hammers were able to restrict Caulfield to one goal in the third and booted two to again increase the advantage, before a hot start from the Bears got them within nine points early in the fourth.
Hampton was able to kick the next two goals however, before holding on for the win.
Jake Buggy kicked four goals for Caulfield, while Blake Miles was named its best.
Highett 9.5 (59) def Skye 6.6 (42)
A low scoring grind saw Highett overcome a plucky Skye outfit in a game that saw the Dogs hold on for the win, despite only kicking three second-half goals.
The Dogs were in control early, racing away to a 30-point quarter time lead only for the Bombers to outscore them six goals to four the remainder of the game.
Ed Turner was influential in front of the big sticks, finishing with four goals while Pat Singh and Yianni Pasialis were named best on ground.
A stellar first quarter from Highett set the tone early, as it booted five goals to two behinds to construct a 30-point lead, which was slightly reduced to 29 in the second term.
Skye was able to outscore Highett two goals to one in the third to reduce the margin to 24 points and although they got to within 17 points late, the Dogs came away with the win.
Brett Dawson booted three majors for the Bombers, while James Bateman was their best.
Mount Waverley 7.10 (52) def Clayton 4.7 (31)
It wasn’t entirely convincing, but Mount Waverley was able to come away with its fourth win of the season, defeating Clayton by 21 points.
Solid second and fourth quarters was enough for the Lions to get the job done, with the Clays on equal footing during the first and third terms.
Ben McLeod was named best afield for the victors, alongside playing coach Michael Keem and Matthew Tighello (two goals).
The two sides provided plenty of entertainment in the first term, each kicking two goals as the Lions led by one, before the visitors booted three goals to one in the second to build a 15-point lead.
Neither side scored a goal in the third term, each kicking three behinds, before Mount Waverley found the big sticks in the fourth, adding another two goals to one to come away with the win.
Matthew Wilson and Jordan Collins were Clayton’s best.
Doveton Eagles 17.11 (113) def East Brighton 11.8 (74)
Doveton maintained top spot on the ladder with a 39-point victory against East Brighton, with the Vampires making life tough for the Eagles at times.
An entertaining first half saw the two sides locked at 41 at half time, before the visitors piled on 11 goals to five in the second half.
Former AFL star Russell Robertson finished with a six-goal best afield performance to lead the way for the Eagles, while Cameron Carmody and Michael Callinan were also influential.
Three goals to Doveton in the first quarter set up a nine-point quarter time lead, before the home side hit back in the second, slamming on five goals to three to level the score.
The Eagles responded after half time however, booting five goals to two in the third before finishing in style with another six goals to three in the fourth to run away with a comfortable win.
Ryan Cosgrave and Bradley Wescombe were named the Vampires’ best.
