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Division 1 – Round 5 Review
With Good Will Hunter
@Will_Hunter89
BENTLEIGH vs OAKLEIGH DISTRICT
Oakleigh District are beginning to forge a reputation as the Bentleigh of 2016 after featuring in a third successive match decided by 12 points or fewer.
The Demons’ string of narrow losses in 2015 has been well documented, so it is with a touch of irony that they consigned the Oaks to their second consecutive loss by a kick or less after a 12.10 (82) to 12.6 (78) thriller at Bentleigh Reserve.
Kicking with the aid of a strong breeze in the opening term, the Oaks were confident of leading at the first change. However, few would have predicted the six-goal blitzkrieg that simply torched the undefeated Demons and helped them to a 31-point advantage.
But the premiership contenders swung into action in the second term, booting 5.6 to 0.0 to eradicated the deficit, although missed opportunities kept their half time lead to just five points.
With the blustery conditions easing somewhat in the second half, scoring at the Northern end of the ground became a possibility and consequently both sides were locked in a tight arm wrestle.
The Districts continually pressed forward in the final 10 minutes of the game and looking like pinching it late, but the rock-solid Bentleigh defence held firm for a four-point win.
James Robertson and Pat Nicholls starred in attack for the winners with three goals each, while Sam McGarry and Kayne O‘Brien were also prolific.
Six goals between Khaled Kandakji and Dan Kiellerup kept the visitors in the hunt, but Hadrian Prest was perhaps their most influential contributor.
EAST MALVERN vs ST PAULS
Elsewhere, East Malvern’s boom recruits dominated as the Panthers recorded a 9.12 (66) to 7.6 (48) victory over St Pauls at the Zoo.
The trio of Nathan Robinson, Ed Sims and Jimmy Dowling put on a midfield masterclass that cut a swatch through the Dogs’ centre line. They monopolised possession around the stoppages with their blend of grunt and polish and impacted the scoreboard as the Panthers led at every change.
The electric Callum Cathcart was again a shining light for St Pauls, so too was ruckman Josh Verlin.
Reigning Sparrow Medallist Matt Brown booted three in his side’s loss.
MORDIALLOC vs CHELTENHAM
It certainly wasn’t pretty footy, but Mordialloc did just enough to overcome Cheltenham in a low-scoring affair at a windswept Ben Kavanagh Reserve, 7.12 (54) to 4.4 (28).
Targets were hard to spot in the blustery conditions and as a result goals were at a premium, with Cheltenham kept to just 1.1 after the long break.
Mordi spearhead James Morris had no such issues finding his range, kicking a bag of five majors, while Nick Lawrence and Chris Brooking also excelled.
DINGLEY vs CLAYTON
Dingley, meanwhile, did a number on an undermanned Clayton, handing out an 83-point thrashing at Souter Oval.
A 10-goal-to-two first half ensure the result was never in doubt, while two goals late in the last quarter to the Clays’ Cory Wilson kept the final margin under triple digits.
Calhan McQueen topped the list of Dingoes goalkickers with seven in the 22.11 (143) to 9.6 (60) rout, while Danny Ades and Matt Morwood continued their impressive form.
For the disappointing Clays it was Lee Boyle and Dean Scanlon offering any real resistance.
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PHOTO CREDIT: Everard Fenton, Momento Sports[/caption]
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PHOTO CREDIT: Everard Fenton, Momento Sports[/caption]
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PHOTO CREDIT: Everard Fenton, Momento Sports[/caption]
Photos from the Dingley V Clayton game can be purchased HERE.
EAST BRIGHTON vs ST KILDA CITY
The final game of Round 5 was East Brighton’s first at their new ‘home’ at Widdop Crescent. And unfortunately for the Vampires is was another dismal display, comfortably beaten by St Kilda City, 15.22 (112) to 7.7 (49).
The Saints’ first-term inaccuracy kept the Vampires in the contest at the half, but 10 goals after the long break snuffed out any hope of victory for the home side with Juy Capp, Josh O’Donnell and Hamish Marshall leading the charge.
Ex-Hawk and Kangaroo Jonathon Hay was one of five multiple goalkickers for the visitors, while Harry Healey kicked three for East Brighton to be named among their best.
Division 2 – Round 6 Review
With Jason Barbin
@JBarbin10
Round 6 has been completed as five teams walked away with victories while the rest will be licking their wounds, ready to bounce back in two weeks.
KEYSBOROUGH 8.9 (57) def BLACK ROCK 3.12 (30)
Keysborough got its third win of the season but it had to do it ugly in a game of attrition against Black Rock. Daniel Morland was named best on ground for the Burra with two goals in a game that saw only three goals kicked between both sides in the first half with Keysborough leading by seven points. Six goals in the second half to Keysy helped secure the win, but this was one both sides would like to move on from pretty quickly.
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PHOTO CREDIT: Everard Fenton, Momento Sports[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_11336" align="aligncenter" width="601"]
PHOTO CREDIT: Everard Fenton, Momento Sports[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_11335" align="aligncenter" width="450"]
PHOTO CREDIT: Everard Fenton, Momento Sports[/caption]
Photos from the Keysborough V Black Rock game can be purchased HERE.
PORT MELBOURNE COLTS 12.10 (82) def CAULFIELD 7.10 (52)
The Colts remain undefeated after six rounds with a 30-point defeat of the Bears, doing what no other team has done so far this season and kept Nick Gilbert goalless. On the other hand, Robb Jewell was simply superb with five majors in a best on ground performance for the victors. Caulfield led by six points at half time but six goals to two in the third term helped Port Melbourne take the lead and earn the victory.
MURRUMBEENA 17.14 (116) def HAMPTON 10.9 (69)
It wasn’t a four quarter performance from the Beena but the three quarters they did show up for were their best for the season. Dean Spanos and Eduardo Espinosa combined for 10 goals as Murrumbeena overcame a 27-point quarter time deficit to thoroughly dismantle the Hammers. It was a true defensive performance from Murrumbeena as they kept Hampton to only four goals after quarter time while piling on 15 itself.
CHELSEA HEIGHTS 7.14 (56) def SPRINGVALE DISTRICTS 7.12 (54)
This is probably a game the Heighters were lucky to get away with as the Districts put an almighty scare into the boys from Beazley Reserve. Neither side took its chances in front of goal but it would be Chelsea Heights taking home a two-point win off the back of three goals from Phil Matheson and a best on ground performance from Joel Williams. Another ugly game of football which barely saw the two sides split all day.
HIGHETT 13.11 (89) def HEATHERTON 7.6 (48)
It took a seven-goal second half effort from the Dogs but they were able to overcome Heatherton at home by 41 points. Joel Jones-Hampton put together an impressive best on ground effort with four majors in a game which saw Highett come from an eight-point quarter time deficit to lead by 15 points at half time. The Dogs took control in the second half, kicking seven goals to three to walk away winners.
Division 3 – Round 6 Review
With Andrew Paloczi
@Apaloczi
CARRUM PATTERSON LAKES vs MOORABBIN
Moorabbin was expected to take the four points easily despite playing on Carrum Patterson Lakes’ home turf.
This game demonstrated the fickle nature of footy tipping. The previously winless Lions overcame a sluggish start in which they scored a lone behind in the first term, to lead by 10 points at the final change.
CPL prevailed by three goals.
Scott Gartland was best for the victorious Lions and David Brennan kicked three of the side’s eight majors.
MOUNT WAVERLEY vs LYNDALE
Mount Waverley must have worked hard on its goal kicking, responding to a wayward round 5 display with an impressive 21 goals 10 behinds against Lyndale.
The Pumas gave hope they would be competitive, coming into this match with just one loss in 2016.
This hope quickly dissipated and by half time the Mountain Lions were completely in control, leading by 49 points.
Their appetite was far from sated and they duplicated the effort in the second half, powering to a 98-point victory.
Luke Galle was again a prominent forward for Mount Waverley, with six majors. James Gough and Ian Taylor managed three each and Jackson Smith put a couple through the big sticks in a best on ground performance.
ENDEAVOUR HILLS vs SOUTH YARRA
South Yarra led Endeavour Hills at every break and built a 21-point advantage by the final change.
The Falcons responded with a six-goal fourth term, whilst holding the Lions to one major in that period.
The 11-point win enabled Endeavour Hills to pass South Yarra on the ladder, and the Falcons are now just outside the five on percentage.
Jake Van Hoesel was named the winner’s best and Mitch Whatman booted five goals.
ASHWOOD vs LYNDHURST
Mitch Saunders has had a strong start to the season for Ashwood and was named the Magpies’ best player in a comprehensive win over Lyndhurst.
Frank Martinicchio knows where the goals are and booted four majors for the second time this season. He has goaled in all five matches he has played and just one of those games has yielded less than three majors for him.
Ashwood’s winning margin was 10 goals and it is only being kept from third spot on the ladder by percentage.
DANDENONG vs DOVETON EAGLES
After a couple of consecutive losses there was never any chance Doveton would approach this game against the lowly Dandenong in a complacent fashion.
So it proved, as the Eagles raced to a 40-point quarter time lead.
By the time the game ended, the margin had blown out to 102, with Doveton having five times the number of scoring shots the Redlegs managed.
The Eagles shared the goals around, with three each to coach Corrie Wilson, Darren Ramsdale and Trent Day.
In his first game of the season, Ricky Johnson was the Eagles’ best. He booted a couple of majors.
SANDOWN vs HALLAM
Umpires abandoned the Sandown versus Hallam match due to an incident that at the time of writing was still being reviewed by the SFNL. A decision on the match result will not be announced until the review is completed.
Under 19 – Round 5 Review
With Alex Charles
@charlesy93
Week five of action saw the majority of favourites win their matches as ladder separation begins to take place. St Kilda City, Oakleigh District, St Pauls and Cheltenham had relatively comfortable victories while Hallam overcame a gallant Dingley outfit.
As previously mentioned, the top six is beginning to take shape and seventh place is now two wins behind the pack with a further four sides remaining winless. Therefore, this means we have a handful of sides still remaining undefeated – St Pauls, St Kilda City and Hampton. Importantly, they’re doing it in convincing fashion and Cheltenham are not far behind. These four teams all have in excess of 220% with all of the top six currently sitting on at least three wins.
Of the week’s fixtures, it was St Pauls who made the biggest statement on their way to a 182-point victory over Highett. The Bulldogs led 81-0 at the main break and ultimately kicked a total of 30.17. (197) to assert their dominance over the rest of the competition. Although they are yet to face any of the top 4 sides of the competition – given their incredible ability to kick goals – it seems they are the early season favourites.
Rivals of the Bulldogs – St Kilda City, Cheltenham and Oakleigh District – each had comfortable results. The Saints defeated East Brighton-Bentleigh by 63 points and it was the Vampires’ lowest losing margin so far this season. It was also their lowest points conceded (109) as they managed six goals themselves. For St Kilda, it allows them to remain undefeated ahead of their next game against Highett with the comfort of knowing Hampton and St Pauls will be playing each other.
Cheltenham and Oakleigh’s strong performances against Endeavour Hills and Carrum Patterson Lakes respectively ensures both are contenders for finals and beyond this season. Carrum’s failure to score reflects well on Oakleigh’s backline while Cheltenham’s 53-point victory over the Falcons is all the more impressive when the Saints were only able to win by 17 points in the same fixture.
Finally, Dingley lost their fifth match in a row to start the season as Hallam were victorious by 28 points. Both teams have featured in low-scoring fixtures this season and goals have been difficult to come by. Despite a contested and sluggish game, Hallam managed to lead by 3 goals at half time. The third term saw Dingley completely dominate but this only resulted in a total of 1.7. (11) for the quarter. It ensured the Dingoes only trailed by 6 points with a quarter to play, but they failed to take their opportunities and the Hawks went away during the latter stages of the game to snare their third win of the season.
