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DIVISION 1
ROUND 6 REVIEW
By Will Hunter
@Will_Hunter89
Dingley 16.12 (108) def Oakleigh District 8.5 (53)
Dingley was hoping to produce a solid team performance in co-captain Jackson Peet’s 100th game, and they delivered in spades with a commanding 55-point triumph over fellow finals aspirant Oakleigh Distict at Souter Oval.
The home side seized control of the game from the word go, slamming on six unanswered goals to put the Oaks to the sword early.
With Troy MacKenzie dominating in the ruck, and the likes of Peet, Trav La Rocca and Dan Farmer all finding plenty of the footy, the Dingoes refused to let Oakleigh back into the contest at any stage.
Spearhead Cal McQueen also continued his good form in front of the sticks with second consecutive five-goal haul.
For the vanquished Districts, Andy Howison won plenty of possessions through the midfield and Paul Fermanis finished with four majors up forward.
Cheltenham 10.6 (66) def by St Pauls 11.13 (79)
The Dogs have consolidated their hold on second spot with a terrific 13-point win over the Rosellas at Jack Barker Oval.
The visitors got off to the perfect start, booting the only three goals of the opening stanza, but Cheltenham refused to surrender as they kicked five in the second to all but restore parity at the long break.
There was little in it for much of the second half, which saw the teams slot four goals apiece in an entertaining final term shootout, but St Pauls held firm to collect their fifth win of the season.
With a bye weekend in the VFL, a couple of Sandringham players returned to their home clubs and had an impact on the contest. Reigning St Pauls Best & Fairest winner Cal Cathcart booted two majors and was named amongst their best, while spearhead Josh Fox proved a handful with three goals while on loan to Cheltenham.
Bentleigh 2.8 (20) def by Mordialloc 7.13 (55)
This is a game that few would be rushing home to watch a replay of, with Mordialloc claiming a hard-fought victory over Bentleigh in an ugly scrap at Arthur Street.
The Demons entered the match under the guidance of co-coaches Chris Johnson and Pete Pirera, who assumed the reigns following the resignation of coach Paul Dimattina during the week, and took the fight up to the ladder leader in the early stages.
However, the blustery conditions made scoring incredibly tricky, and both teams could only manage a combined 3.17 to three quarter time.
Mordialloc then released the shackles in the final term and booted five goals with the wind to run away with the match.
Skipper Todd Bastion led from the front for the winners, slotting three majors, while Jordan Derbyshire and Danny Nicholls were also industrious.
Scott Lawry returned for his first game since Round 1 and didn’t miss a beat, putting in a tremendous performance. Justin Hall was also terrific in his 50th game for the Demons.
Port Melbourne Colts 4.13 (37) def by East Malvern 14.16 (100)
The Panthers have handed the Colts their first home defeat in the SFNL, running out winners by 63 points at JL Murphy Reserve.
The home side used the breeze to good effect in the opening term, and although they missed some opportunities in front of goal, they nevertheless enjoyed a 15-point lead at the first change.
However, there was little joy for Port from then on as East Malvern ran rampant, piling on 14 of the next 16 goals to blow the Colts out of the water.
Nathan Henley was one of the catalysts of the Panthers’ demolition job, booting three goals in a dominant all-round display. Simon Taylor (three majors) and Ryan Mullett were also key contributors.
Blake Twomey and Jayme Lawson flew the flag for the Colts.
St Kilda city 20.18 (138) def Clayton 2.4 (16)
It was another tough day at the office for the Clays as they were massacred by St Kilda City at the Peanut Farm.
An eight-goal second term had the host’s advantage sitting at 10 goals by the long break, and they refused to take their foot off Clayton’s throat as they conceded just one behind in the second half.
Troy Parker proved unstoppable up forward with six goals for the winners, while Dylan Sloan and Matt Runnalls were also conspicuous.
Clayton were well served by Jack McEwin and the electric Matthew Wilson.
DIVISION 2
ROUND 7 REVIEW
By Jason Barbin
@JBarbin10
Although the season is a way off finishing, a clear premiership favourite has emerged and will now become the hunted.
Chelsea Heights 18.15 (123) def Mount Waverley 6.25 (61)
A monster second half from the Heighters has spurred them to a 62-point win against the inaccurate Lions and stamp themselves as premiership favourite.
Chelsea Heights only led by eight points at half time, but a 12-goal second half proved punishing as Mount Waverley struggled to find the middle of the big sticks.
Phil Smith and James Robertson made the most of their opportunities to combine for 10 goals while Nathan Herrington was named best on ground.
After a slow start to the game, Chelsea Heights overcame a 20-point quarter time deficit with a six-goal second term, resulting in an eight-point half time lead.
The Heighters lifted again in the second half, booting six goals in the third and fourth quarters, while the Lions could only manage a staggering 2.14 to win by 62 points.
James Gough finished with four goals for Mount Waverley while Andrew Mathers was in the best.
Keysborough 13.15 (93) def Hampton 7.11 (53)
The Burras continue to bolster their chances of finishing in the top three following a convincing 40-point win against the Hammers.
Chris Bryan was at his best with a four-goal haul while Karl Schoenmakers and Tim Werner were also in strong form.
An excellent first half set up the win for the Keysborough, bagging six goals while keeping Hampton to just two in reply, setting up a 28-point half time lead.
The Burra continued to hold the advantage throughout the second half, booting seven goals to five which was enough to get them across the line.
Tom Woodward bagged three goals for the Hammers while Guy Timms was named their best.
Skye 14.8 (92) def Murrumbeena 11.9 (75)
Stephen Hawkins continues his claim as recruit of the year as he lifted Skye to a hard fought 17-point win against a spirited Murrumbeena outfit.
Hawkins bagged another eight goals, bringing his tally to 24 for the season, and was joined in the best by Spencer McArtney.
In a tightly contested first half, Murrumbeena led by two points at quarter time, but conceded four goals to the Bombers in the second term, to trail by 10 points at the half.
Skye further increased its effort during the second half, booting three goals in the third, and four goals in the fourth quarters to round out 17-point winners.
Jake Semmel and Rhys Clayton (five goals) were named the best for Murrumbeena.
Caulfield 10.9 (69) def Springvale Districts 9.8 (62)
The Bears continue to win games, albeit not very convincingly, defeating the Districts by seven points with a strong second half effort.
James Backway and Chris Dove combined for six goals in the win, while ruckman Adam Ballard put together a dominant performance.
Caulfield was slow to start to the match, not registering its first goal until the second term and trailed by six points at the main break.
Six goals in the third quarter changed the Bears fortune however, and they were able to hold on for the win despite four goals from Springvale in the final term.
Daniel Morris and Ben Stacey were named Springvale Districts’ best.
Highett 12.13 (85) def Heatherton 9.7 (61)
Highett kept its finals hopes alive with a much-needed win against Heatherton, spurred on by a solid four-quarter performance.
Sam Jackson and Pat Singh were sublime throughout the match while Mitch Hoar was dangerous up forward with three goals for the Dogs.
After a two-goal apiece opening term, Highett charged forward in the second, booting five goals to one to take a 26-point lead at the half time interval.
Heatherton hit back with three goals to one in the final term, but the Dogs were able to steady in the last, kicking four goals to three to win by 24 points.
Callum Cusack was named the Tonners’ best while Jesse Stone bagged three goals.
DIVISION 3
ROUND 6 REVIEW
By Andrew Paloczi
@Apaloczi
Ashwood 12.10 (82) def Lyndhurst 9.7 (61)
Lyndhurst started brightly, racing to a 28-point lead against scoreless Ashwood.
Ricky O’Brien halted Lightning’s momentum with a major for the Magpies.
At the first change, Lyndhurst held a 21-point advantage.
Ashwood dominated the second term but failed to capitalise on the scoreboard.
A tight third stanza left the game in the balance.
Lightning produced the first goal of the final term, putting it eight points up.
However, Ashwood took charge to win by 21 points.
Ruckman Matt Menzies was the Magpies’ best and kicked an important goal.
Black Rock 14.11 (95) def Lyndale 9.11 (65)
Black Rock won a home game for the first time this season, upsetting Lyndale by 30 points.
The Jets appeared to have faded from the radar, but a strong team-performance lifted hopes for the remainder of the season.
Nine Black Rock players registered goals, led by Lachlan Mooney with three.
Tom Dalton was acknowledged as the winner’s best.
Dandenong 6.7 (43) def by Carrum Patterson Lakes 13.11 (89)
Making his first appearance of the season due to suspension, Matt Jackson was instrumental in CPL’s 46-point triumph over Dandenong.
Jackson was the Lions’ best player and contributed four goals.
The sides managed two goals each in the first term, but CPL had to contend with kicking into a strong breeze.
The winning coach Terry Philippe suggested the final score didn’t reflect the competitiveness of the game.
“It just started to open up as the game went on. Dandy battled well most of the day,” he said.
Sandown 2.6 (18) def by South Yarra 29.18 (192)
Cory Brady and Brandon Bird kicked six goals each, playing their part in a massive South Yarra win.
Sandown was the hapless victim, losing by 174 points.
The Yarras’ Kieron Finlayson was best on ground.
The only positive for the Cobras was trailing by just 15 points at quarter time.
That reflects the dire state they are in.
Moorabbin 7.6 (48) def by Endeavour Hills 17.26 (128)
Shaun Richards kicked six goals as Endeavour Hills thrashed listless Moorabbin.
Playing his first senior game of the season, Jake Van Hoesel was a standout for the Falcons.
His team won by 80 points, but it would have been far more with accurate kicking.
43 scoring shots to Moorabbin’s 13 tells the story of Endeavour Hills’ dominance.
Doveton 4.6 (30) def by Hallam 16.13 (109)
A highly anticipated clash lost its lustre before the match commenced.
Hallam comfortably accounted for a depleted Doveton, recording its first-ever win against the Eagles.
The Hawks were wasteful in front of goal and might easily have won by more than the eventual 79-point margin.
Hallam coach, Scott Slater spoke to the SFNL radio team after the game.
He was pleased with the Hawks’ defensive pressure in the forward line.
Slater credited that pressure with creating many of his side’s scoring opportunities. However, he indicated the Hawks’ forwards need to improve their marking.
Hawk Phil Ward was best afield.
UNDER 19
ROUND 6 REVIEW
By Britt Goldsmith
Round 6 saw some hard fought out matches, including a narrow win for St Pauls against Cheltenham, and a tough loss for Oakleigh District as Dingley put their fifth consecutive win on the board. Unfavourable conditions made it tricky for goal kickers to do their job, with howling winds ravaging across the grounds.
Bentleigh 5.5 (35) def by Skye 13.13 (91)
Skye got the four points against Bentleigh, as they defeated the home side by a convincing 56 points. The winners led by 13 in the first break, and managed to keep Bentleigh scoreless in the second term.
With only seven points on the board at half time, Bentleigh retaliated in the third term with four goals to Skye’s two. However, there was simply no stopping Skye in the final term, as they piled on a whopping seven unanswered goals, leaving Bentleigh with another scoreless quarter.
Mark Ingmire was the best performed player for Skye, alongside Craig Dawson and Tyler Cabansag. Jackson Chapman was also impressive for the winning side, with four goals to his name.
St Kilda City 11.10 (76) def Hampton 6.8 (44)
Hampton struggled against a strong St Kilda City at the Peanut Farm, going down to the home side by 32 points. City were ready from the get-go in this match, leading by 20 points in the first term and consistently building at their score across all four quarters. Ayang Nyanjok was the one to watch for City, followed by Jack O’Shea.
Despite being unable to get the win on the day, a solid 4.4 effort was a notable and positive end to the match for Hampton, managing to outscore City in the last term.
Doveton 1.1 (7) def by Hallam 23.17 (149)
Doveton simply could not compete against a relentless Hallam at the Power Reserve, going down by a damaging 142 points.
A fantastic team effort from Hallam saw a best on ground performance from Connor Carylon, and nine separate goal kickers, including six from Alex Mackensie and five from Sam Delosa.
Parkmore/Springvale Districts 11.11 (77) def Endeavour Hills 4.7 (31)
Parkmore/Springvale Districts have continued to impress in a solid win by 46 points against Endeavour Hills. Parkmore/Springvale Districts were inaccurate in the first term, kicking 6 points to one goal, however still leading Endeavour Hills 12-0.
With an improvement in goal kicking made in the second term for Parkmore/Springvale Districts, they were then able to steamroll to victory, with a consistent scoring effort across the remainder of the game, led by Jordan Waite who booted four and another stand out performance from Robert Lega Frost.
Cheltenham 9.9 (63) def by St Pauls 10.8 (68)
Cheltenham nearly pulled off a remarkable come-from-behind victory, but eventually fell short of St Pauls in a bitter five-point loss at the Jack Barker Oval.
A stunning seven-goal first half had the visitors 24 points the good at the long break. But with Mitchell Freeman and Tom Davis leading from the front, the Rosellas stormed back into the contest in the second half.
A stand out performance from Karl Abourizk was the highlight for a jubilant St Pauls, followed by teammates Thomas Gamble and Josh Bull. Saxon Van Oursouw booted four goals for the winners.
Dingley 10.8 (68) def Oakleigh District 5.9 (39)
In the match of the round, Oakleigh District got off to a strong start, making use of the howling breeze blowing towards the southern end of the ground and leading Dingley by 25 points to zero at the first break. However, Dingley struck back in the second term slamming on five goals to none.
The third term was arguably where Dingley won the game, as they managed to restrict Oakleigh to just 2.1 despite them having the wind advantage while Dingley managed to kick the only goal for the entire game at the northern end of the ground. Dingley ran away with the game in the last term, kicking another four goals to none.
Highlights included Dingley’s forward Daniel Stewart run down chase of an Oakleigh defender in the second term, resulting in a holding the ball decision and goal to Stewart. Remi Faulkner-Wood chimed in with a classy five goal effort, ably supported by Lach O’Halloran and Luke Simmonds who were masterful in defence. Dylan Duffield was the best for Oakleigh, despite suffering their first loss of the year.