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SFNL MATCH OF THE DAY
DIVISION 1
beyondblue Cup
MORDIALLOC vs DINGLEY
V 
Ben Kavanagh Reserve, McDonald Street, Mordialloc – 2:15pm
Listen to the SFNL Radio Team’s commentary live on 88.3 Southern FM from 2:00pm or live stream the radio broadcast and get all live scores at
sfnllive.com.au.
DIVISION 1 – beyondblue Round 10 Preview
With Good Will Hunter
@Will_Hunter89
MORDIALLOC vs DINGLEY (Ben Kavanagh Reserve)
The Bloods and the Dingoes will this week battle it out for the beyondblue Cup, the flagship game in this weekend’s league-wide beyondblue Round.
This will no doubt be a tremendous clash between two of the form sides of the competition.
As mentioned last week, Mordialloc play Ben Kavanagh particularly well, and were again miserly in restricting Bentleigh to just seven goals. The Demons join a growing list of Mordi scalps in 2016, which also includes East Malvern and Oakleigh District.
But the Dingoes will prove their biggest challenge. They have comfortably beaten the Bloods in their last two meetings, and were back to their best in their ruthless thrashing of East Brighton last Saturday after a rare defeat the previous week.
Dingley will be hoping to celebrate club captain Tony Lavars’ 250th game with a victory, and with spearhead Calhan McQueen set to return from suspension to bolster their forward stocks, expect them to do so.
CHELTENHAM vs OAKLEIGH DISTRICT (Jack Barker Oval)
A season that started so positively for Oakleigh District is turning pear-shaped very quickly. With three straight wins to begin their first season back in the top flight, the Oaks have proceeded to lose five of their last six games, with their only win coming against the lowly Vampires.
This is a slide they will be desperate to arrest.
Cheltenham on the other hand, have now won two on the trot, but the Oaks this week will prove stiffer opposition than either the Saint or the Clays.
Expect Oakleigh to return to the winners’ circle.
EAST MALVERN vs EAST BRIGHTON (Dunlop Reserve)
Unfortunately, there will be no respite for the struggling East Brighton this week as they come up against the second-placed Panthers.
East Malvern were victors by 100 points in their last meeting in Round 1, incidentally at the same venue, and a defeat of a similar magnitude looms for the Vampires.
ST PAULS vs BENTLEIGH (McKinnon Reserve)
Fierce rivals the Dogs and the Demons resume hostilities this week in the massive local derby.
Both sides have shown terrific form in the first half of the year, with Bentleigh in particular one of 2016’s biggest improvers. It has now put itself in contention for a top-three berth and secure the all-important double chance.
St Pauls has had the wood over Bentleigh for a number of years, but the Demons claimed their first victory over St Pauls since 1999 back in Round 1. And with the monkey off the back expect them to make it two in a row over their neighbours.
ST KILDA CITY vs CLAYTON (Peanut Farm)
Both the Saints and the Clays find themselves languishing in the bottom half of the ladder after pre-seasons that promised more than has been delivered.
With just five wins between them in the first half of the year, don’t expect either of these teams to be featuring in September. But this week is a great opportunity for one of these teams to get a rare win on the board and give their fans something to cheer about.
You can’t tip either side with any confidence, but I’m picking Clayton in a close one.
DIVISION 2 – beyondblue Round 12 Preview
With Jason Barbin
@JBarbin10
The battle for second spot is the clear highlight of Round 12 as the fixture cycle is now complete and teams get the chance to avenge early season losses.
HAMPTON vs BLACK ROCK (Turner Road Reserve)
The Hammers will be bitterly disappointed not to come away with an upset victory against Caulfield after coming with the narrowest of margins. Expect them to come out swinging (not literally) against tradition rivals Black Rock who are coming into the match fresh off the bye. After showing signs of reasonable form early in the season the Rockers have dropped off in recent weeks so expect them to be keen for a battle.
Hampton by 22 points.
CHELSEA HEIGHTS vs CAULFIELD (Beazley Reserve)
Match of the round by a country mile, this clash could see a new team (Chelsea Heights) in second spot on the ladder with only a game and minimal percentage separating the two sides. Neither side was at its absolute best in victories last week but with second spot on the line in what is likely to be a finals preview, expect a battle for the ages. This match could depend on if Phil Smith plays for the Heighters and whether he is more effective than Bears boom recruit Nick Gilbert.
Caulfield by three points.
SKYE vs KEYSBOROUGH (Carrum Downs Reserve)
After two straight losses and Hampton and Murrumbeena nipping at their heels, the Bombers need some breathing space and a win against the Burra is vital. Keysborough still aren’t at full strength so expect Skye to take advantage, especially at home where it poses as a tough prospect. Don’t count the Burra out however, as a loss here and finals may very well be out of reach so expect them to throw everything but the kitchen sink in order to try and get a win.
Skye by 12 points.
MURRUMBEENA vs PORT MELBOURNE COLTS (Murrumbeena Park)
Coming off a grand final year in 2015, the Beena were embarrassed by newcomers Port Melbourne in its first match in the Southern Football Netball League. The loss kicked off a string of poor results to start the season but Murrumbeena has since won four of its last six matches since the bye and are enjoying its best form for the season. But it could all come crashing down against a standout Colts side who will look top continue its undefeated run.
Port Melbourne Colts by 30 points.
SPRINGVALE DISTRICTS vs HEATHERTON (Springvale Reserve)
After a strong start to the season that lifted hopes for a potential finals appearance, Heatherton has come crashing down and are now once again in a battle to avoid relegation. Springvale face that same battle but has a strong chance to come out on top with neither side in great form heading into this clash. Although these games more often than not look ugly on paper, the result on the field tends to be more exciting.
Springvale Districts by 19 points.
BYE: HIGHETT
DIVISION 3 – beyondblue Round 11 Preview
With Andrew Paloczi
@Apaloczi
ENDEAVOUR HILLS vs MOUNT WAVERLEY (Barry Simon Reserve)
With six wins in a row, Endeavour Hills will go into this match with the belief it can be the first team to defeat Mount Waverley this season.
The Falcons are just short of second place on the ladder on percentage.
Complacency is a potential threat to the Mountain Lions after a massive win last round, but they will be too professional to fall into that trap.
This should be an entertaining clash. Both sides have a number of players capable of kicking bags of goals.
If Mount Waverley is on its game it will win.
SANDOWN vs ASHWOOD (Edinburgh Reserve)
Ashwood will ensure it capitalises on the chance to add a massive chunk of percentage against a dispirited Sandown side, which is fresh from conceding 54 goals in its last match.
The Cobras may be hoping for heavy rain to restrict the Magpies’ scoring.
Otherwise a hose could be put to use, reviving memories of days in the 1980s when St Kilda’s home turf at Moorabbin was a bog heap despite a lack of rain in the vicinity.
SOUTH YARRA vs LYNDHURST (Fritsch Holzer Park)
This will be a good contest between the enthusiastic Lyndhurst side and home team South Yarra.
Lightning players can be proud of their efforts in the team’s first season at senior level and will make South Yarra work.
However, the Lions will be too strong at the back and will use their knowledge of their tricky home ground to get on top of Lyndhurst.
Expect a comfortable winning margin for South Yarra.
DANDENONG vs CARRUM PATTERSON LAKES (Greaves Reserve)
Dandenong and Carrum Patterson Lakes are both struggling, with just a couple of wins each.
The Redlegs have scored a lowly total of 45 points in their last two games, whilst conceding 367.
CPL will win, but don’t expect it to be a pretty game.
HALLAM vs DOVETON EAGLES (Hallam Reserve)
Hallam has surpassed expectations this season and has already managed four more wins than it achieved in 2015, whilst giving plenty of youngsters experience.
Perhaps a little tiredness has set in, with the Hawks beaten by a couple of strong teams in the last two rounds.
More of the same appears likely against the might of second-placed Doveton.
MOORABBIN vs LYNDALE (Widdop Crescent)
Sitting sixth, this is a critical game for the visiting Lyndale to try to make up ground on teams in the five.
Moorabbin’s two wins this season were against the sides occupying the last couple of rungs on the ladder.
The Pumas will win decisively.
