By Will Hunter
Devastating.
That is the only word to describe the Dingoes' incredible first half that delivered the club its second consecutive SFNL Division 1 Senior premiership with a 107-point demolition of Bentleigh at Springvale Reserve on Sunday.
In doing so, the champion Dingoes become the first side since St Kilda City in 2009-2010 to claim back-to-back Division 1 Senior flags.
Dingley were switched on from the moment umpire Sam Bridges slammed the ball into the turf to commence proceedings, but the manner in which they systematically dismantled the Demons from that moment on in the 22.16 (148) to 6.5 (41) rout took everyone by surprise.
It took seven minutes before the Dingoes were rewarded with the opening goal of the game through James Ball, and by the quarter's end they had kept their opponents scoreless en route to a 22-point advantage. Arguably, this margin should have been a lot greater.
Their ball movement in the first quarter was utterly scintillating, and the Demons were powerless to stop the Dingoes from getting numbers at every contest and attacking the footy with reckless abandon. Consequently, they dominated possession around the ground, and never gave Bentleigh a look in.
And they started the second quarter like they had ended the first, with Josh Ferguson slotting the opening goal two minutes in.
Bentleigh responded a minute later with their first major of the afternoon - a special long-range effort from Brody Lawford - but from that point on it it was one-way traffic.
Dingley then unleashed 10 minutes of the most incredible football seen in the Southern League in many years, booting the next six unanswered goals to completely steamroll the Demons. The speed with which they moved the ball from end to end was absolutely frightening, and they were ruthlessly efficient going inside 50, seemingly registering a score from every entry.
By the 15 minute mark of the second, they led by 58 points and showed no signs of easing up.
They were kicking goals from absolutely everywhere, and no matter what Bentleigh did, the Dingoes couldn't be stopped. It was simply extraordinary football from the competition's benchmark.
Ultimately, the Dingoes' eight-goal second term will not be soon forgotten by those lucky enough to witness it. Bentleigh, on the other hand, ended the half with just one goal to their credit and, sitting 67 points in arrears, looked devoid of hope and inspiration.
They were vastly more competitive after the long break, the Demons, booting five second-half goals, but time and again the Dingoes had all the answers. Every time Bentleigh fired a shot, Dingley would peg one back as the denied their opponents any chance to work back into the match. Such was their control over the contest, Dingley refused to allow Bentleigh to string together consecutive goals for the entire match.
Even late in the last quarter, when the Dingoes' lead was out to triple figures, they wouldn't remove their foot from Bentleigh's jugular, booting three goals in as many minutes to leave the Demons completely demoralised.
One of these three goals came off the boot of captain Tony Lavars from a set shot 17 minutes into the last quarter, promoting a raucous response from his teammates and the crowd behind the goals at the grandstand end.
Earlier, Lavars had sprung a surprise by announcing his retirement at the three quarter time huddle. With the premiership already firmly in their grasp, coach Shane Morwood then swung the popular veteran forward in the hope that he could jag a late goal.
Lavers delivered from 45 metres out and was duly mobbed by his teammates, adding a remarkable post script to what had been an incredible Grand Final.
As far as team performances go, this will certainly rank among one of the all-time greats.
The umpires would have had a difficult task in deciding the Meneilly Medal winner, with at least half a dozen in contention.
They eventually settled on diminutive onballer Chris Horton-Milne, who was simply sublime through the midfield all afternoon. The grunt he provided around the contests was first class, as was his fearless attack on the football.
The prestigious Meneilly Medal, coupled with the delight of a Division 1 Senior premiership medallion, capped a stunning first season at Souter Oval for the ex-Noble Park ace.
The dreadlocked Ferguson was also electric, winning plenty of outside ball and dazzling with his run and carry. Up forward Dan Farmer booted five goals and Calhan 'the Dream' McQueen four, with the duo posing a threat whenever the ball was in their vicinity.
Marcus Freeman capped another outstanding performance with two goals in the last quarter, while Trav La Rocca, Ryan Stewart, Luke Bartholomew and Matt Morwood were also industrious.
And of course the man of the moment Lavars was sensational in his final game, getting the job done at both ends of the ground.
But ultimately, you wouldn't find one player in black, red and gold - save perhaps for Danny Ades, whose day was prematurely ended with a broken wrist - that failed to contribute for the entire four quarters.
Solid contributions were few and far between for Bentleigh, however, skipper Scott Lawry was influential in the back half and clearly their best player for the afternoon.
Ruckman Andrew Walsh was again a valuable contributor and young Spencer Daly did some very nice things, but ultimately too much was left to too few on a dark day for the Demons.
Dingley 3.4 11.8 18.14
22.16 (148)
Bentleigh 0.0 1.1 4.2
6.5 (41)
DINGLEY
Goal kickers: Daniel Farmer 5, Calhan McQueen 4, Marcus Freeman 2, Robert Rusan 2, James Ball 2, Chris Horton-Milne 2, Kane Davidson, Matt Morwood, Tony Lavars, Josh Ferguson, Luke Bartholomew
Best players: Chris Horton-Milne, Daniel Farmer, Josh Ferguson, Calhan McQueen, Marcus Freeman, Tony Lavars
BENTLEIGH
Goal kickers: Kyle Swinden, Brody Lawford, Barama Blow, Sam McGarry, Spencer Daly, Liam Hogton-Hewish
Best players: Scott Lawry, Andrew Walsh, Todd McLean, Spencer Daly, Ben Morrison, Tom Backman
Photos from the Division 1 Senior Grand Final can be purchased here thanks to Memento Sports.
[caption id="attachment_13159" align="aligncenter" width="650"]
Calhan 'the Dream' McQueen gets some serious elevation. CREDIT: Julian Inglese, Photogenix[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_13156" align="aligncenter" width="650"]
Daniel Farmer finds room to gallop. CREDIT: Everard Fenton, memento Sports.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_13164" align="aligncenter" width="650"]
Chris Horton-Milne found plenty of the pill through the midfield. CREDIT: Julian Inglese, Photogenix[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_13162" align="aligncenter" width="650"]
Scott Lawry was one of the few shining lights for Bentleigh. CREDIT: Everard Fenton, Memento Sports[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_13157" align="aligncenter" width="433"]
Josh Ferguson gets yet another kick away. CREDIT: Everard Fenton, Memento Sports.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_13166" align="aligncenter" width="650"]
There were great skills on show in the Youth Girls Exhibition match at half time. CREDIT: Julian Inglese, Photgenix.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_13155" align="aligncenter" width="651"]
Tony Lavars kicks a goal late in the final term, and is promptly mobbed by his teammates. CREDIT: Everard Fenton, Memento Sports.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_13163" align="aligncenter" width="650"]
Chris Horton-Milne is thrilled to receive his Meneilly Medal as best afield. CREDIT: Julian Inglese, Photgenix[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_13158" align="aligncenter" width="650"]
Tony Lavars retires a champion. CREDIT: Everard Fenton, Memento Sports[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_13149" align="aligncenter" width="650"]
Back to back champions! CREDIT: Julian Inglese, Photogenix[/caption]
