Insurance 4 Footballers Round Review

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Division 1 – Round 7 Review


With Good Will Hunter

Twitter@Will_Hunter89

After several weeks of dry and mostly clear days, the standard winter fare of wet, cold and muddy conditions greeted players for the first time in 2016.

And although the persistent heavy rain that soaked Melbourne in the preceding days held off for the majority of Saturday afternoon, that morning’s torrential downpour, coupled with intermittent drizzle, ensured the centre wicket areas of most grounds resembled mud pits.

As a consequence, several Division 1 teams were to slow to adjust to the drastic change in playing conditions, with low scores and upset results common place around the grounds.

 

ST PAULS vs ST KILDA CITY

Arguably the biggest boilover of the afternoon was St Pauls’ surprise 5.7 (37) to 6.9 (45) home defeat at the hands of St Kilda City.

The Dogs have made the Kennel a relative fortress in recent seasons, but the Saints made use of their promising recent form to triumph in a hard-fought and low-scoring encounter.

On a day where major scores were at a premium, St Pauls’ eight-point three quarter time lead felt more like four goals. Undeterred, City ran over the top of them in the final term, kicking 2.4 to 0.0 to surge to their second win of the year

Saint Dylan Sloan had no issues finding his range, booting four of his team’s six goals, while Michael Shaw and Cam Hansen were also valuable contributors.

Ashley Munday, Carl Herbstreit and Greg Young were serviceable for the vanquished Bulldogs.

This was St Pauls’ first loss at the Kennel since Round 4 last year, ironically also to St Kilda City.

 

MORDIALLOC vs CLAYTON

Meanwhile Clayton shocked the fancied Bloods at Ben Kavanagh Reserve, running out 8.11 (59) to 6.9 (45) winners.

Mordi were slow out of the blocks, allowing the visitors to pile on four opening term goals, much to the chagrin of coach Jason Chapple.

From then on the Bloods had to play catch up football for the remainder of the day, a difficult task at the best of times, let alone in the wet, and their early lethargy ultimately proved decisive.

In the end the final 14-point margin was reflective of the difference between the two sizes at the first change.

Half back Andy Ray was again hugely impressive for the winners, with solid contributions also coming from Joel Rigoni and Dean Scanlon. Daniel Kirby also stood out for the Clays in the ruck.

It was the usual suspects in Todd Bastion, Alistair Pike and Simon Fragiacomo keeping the Bloods in it for most of the day, while Luke Kirkland booted three in his second game of the year.

 

EAST MALVERN vs CHELTENHAM

Over at the Zoo, Cheltenham gave home side East Malvern a fright, but the Panthers were eventually able to grind out a 6.7 (43) to 5.2 (32) victory in another low-scoring tussle.

Two goals in the opening term saw the Rosellas lead at quarter time, but four majors in the middle quarters swung the tight contest in East Malvern’s favour.

Jimmy Dowling continued his good form in red and blue and was again a dominant force in his side’s engine room, while Isaac McCrimmon and Nick McCann also featured among their best.

Panthers’ key forward Jack Crameri was the game’s only multiple goal kicker.

Declan Hampton and Tom Nelson were the standouts for the Rosellas.

[caption id="attachment_11614" align="aligncenter" width="600"]PHOTO CREDIT: Everard Fenton, Momento Sports PHOTO CREDIT: Everard Fenton, Momento Sports[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_11615" align="aligncenter" width="599"]PHOTO CREDIT: Everard Fenton, Momento Sports PHOTO CREDIT: Everard Fenton, Momento Sports[/caption]

 

DINGLEY vs BENTLEIGH

The much anticipated top-of-the-table fixture between the undefeated Dingoes and proved to be a fizzer with Dingley running out commanding victors at Souter Oval.

The Dingoes had too much fire power on every line for the undermanned Bentleigh side, with nine first half goals to one setting them on their way to a 15.12 (102) to 5.7 (37) triumph.

Pleasingly, Dingley found plenty of avenues to goal, with Steve Gaertner, Matt Morwood and best afield Rob Rusan booting three each.

Kane Davidson and Josh Ball were also influential in the result, however, the Dingoes’ win was soured by a suspected serious knee injury to Danny Ades.

Tommy Backman and Kayne O’Brien were impressive on what was a tough day at the office for the Demons.

 

EAST BRIGHTON vs BENTLEIGH

The final match of the round saw Oakleigh District hand East Brighton another thrashing, winning 18.15 (123) to 6.2 (38) at Widdop Crescent.

The Vampires showed some spirit in the opening term to stay within nine points of the Oaks at the first change, but their positivity soon turned to despair as the visitors piled on 12 of the next 13 goals to blow them out of the water.

Andy Howison and Brent Crawley were again prolific for the winners, while Paul Fermanis and Aaron Henneman booted nine goals between them, an impressive effort on a day that didn’t help the big forwards.

Skipper Andrew Jansen was the only shining light for East Brighton.

 

Division 2 – Round 8 Review


With Jason Barbin

Twitter@JBarbin10

 

Every team now has a win on the board after Black Rock finally got a chance to sing the club song following a stirring victory against Heatherton, the clear highlight of Round 8.

 

Heatherton 5.5 (35) def by Black Rock 6.9 (45) 

It may have been an ugly game but no one from Black Rock will care after the club enjoyed its first victory of the season with a deserved 10-point win against Heatherton. Luke Pinot was in sensational form, bagging two goals in a best on ground effort which saw the Jets lead at every change. Black Rock’s defensive efforts were superb as it held Heatherton goalless in the first term to set up the win. Although the Jets could only manage six goals themselves, it was enough to secure the win.

 

Chelsea Heights 4.9 (33) def by Skye 6.11 (47) 

Skye retained its spot in the top four after a hard fought victory against Chelsea Heights in a match that saw the teams barely split. Bombers captain Aaron Pacey was back in form, kicking three goals in just his second game back from an ACL injury while Aaron Harper was named their best. In a tough, low scoring affair the Bombers overcame a two-point deficit after kicking two goals in the final term while their defensive skills were on full display as they held Chelsea Heights to one behind to seal the victory.

 

Keysborough 4.10 (34) def by Hampton 13.13 (91)

A nine goal to one second half has set up a superb victory for the Hammers as they secure a spot in the top five. Todd Burley was dangerous up forward with six majors for the victors in an impressive best on ground performance. Hampton was inaccurate early in the contest, kicking 4.9 in the first half to only lead by 11 points at the main break. The Hammers were rewarded for their efforts in the second half however, piling on nine goals to one to completely dominated the Burra and take home the win.

 

Murrumbeena 9.12 (66) def Springvale Districts 9.7 (61)

Murrumbeena has moved within a game of the top five after grinding out a five-point win against Springvale Districts. Josh Wright continued his strong recent form with another best on ground performance while Mitch Walder and Harley Turkington kicked two goals each. The Beena trailed early but kicked three goals to one in the second term to set up the victory. The Districts fought back in the second half with four goals to three but inaccurate kicking was their downfall as Murrumbeena held on for the win.

[caption id="attachment_11616" align="aligncenter" width="600"]PHOTO CREDIT: Everard Fenton, Momento Sports PHOTO CREDIT: Everard Fenton, Momento Sports[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_11618" align="aligncenter" width="601"]PHOTO CREDIT: Everard Fenton, Momento Sports PHOTO CREDIT: Everard Fenton, Momento Sports[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_11619" align="aligncenter" width="601"]PHOTO CREDIT: Everard Fenton, Momento Sports PHOTO CREDIT: Everard Fenton, Momento Sports[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_11620" align="aligncenter" width="601"]PHOTO CREDIT: Everard Fenton, Momento Sports PHOTO CREDIT: Everard Fenton, Momento Sports[/caption]

Photos of Saturday's Murrumbeena V Springvale Districts match can be purchased HERE.

 

Highett 7.12 (54) def by Caulfield 9.4 (58)

A barnstorming final quarter performance from Caulfield has lifted it to victory against Highett. Ned McCormack bagged three goals for the Bears while Alex Cables was named their best in a match where Caulfield led an inaccurate Highett by 16 points at half time but was held to just two behinds in the third quarter while the Bulldogs kicked four goals to lead by eight points at the final change. The home side edged further ahead early in the last quarter before Caulfield stormed home with the three consecutive goals late in the term to steal a win against the odds and secure second spot on the ladder.

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Division 3 – Round 8 Review


With Andrew Paloczi

Twitter@Apaloczi

 

LYNDHURST vs DANDENONG

Looking for its first home win, Lyndhurst took charge in the first half to lead Dandenong by 23 points in a low scoring affair.

The Redlegs managed just one goal up to the long break.

But a transformation came over the game in the third term as Dandenong booted five majors to one, going to the final break with a four-point advantage.

In a gripping final term each side could manage only a single goal, but Lyndhurst fell just short of making up the deficit with behinds, going down by a point.

Robert Witt booted four goals for the winner, and Stephen Young was named its best. Young is having a strong season and has appeared amongst the Redlegs’ best on several occasions.

 

CARRUM PATTERSON LAKES vs HALLAM

The ground at Roy Dore Reserve was in good condition despite persistent rain. Carrum Patterson Lakes took it up to Hallam early, but the Hawks gained a handy 14-point break by quarter time.

The CPL players were advised at the huddle to be more selective about when to handball, having gone for one or two more than was advisable at times.

Hallam could take credit for applying pressure that made it difficult for CPL to play in a manner best suited to the wet weather.

When the Hawks won possession they were more adept at going long and were often able to find a teammate with space to run.

CPL managed to attack early in the second term and kicked the first goal of the stanza.

But increasingly the class of Hallam showed through, and Manny Peresso impressed with his ball handling and skilful passing.

By half time, the Hawks had opened up a 32-point lead and went on to extend this to 39 points by game’s end.

Daniel Chin was another Hawk to impress, whilst Shane Thomas maintained his good form as a marking target around goals.

Young Hallam president, Matthew Brew noted the Hawks have continued to give youngsters experience, playing four Under 19 players in this match, and 14 of them so far this season.

 

MOUNT WAVERLEY vs SOUTH YARRA

South Yarra was not daunted by the challenge of taking on the unbeaten Mount Waverley on the Mountain Lions’ home turf.

Mount Waverley led at every break, but South Yarra was just 11 points behind with a term to go and threatened an upset.

The Lions fought it out, but their Mountain cousins got the job done by 10 points, with Luke Galle this time managing three goals and Michael Dennis named the winner’s best.

 

ASHWOOD vs MOORABBIN

Moorabbin is having a tough season and went in as underdog, playing away against a confident Ashwood.

But the Kangaroos were competitive in the first half, trailing by seven points at the major interval.

Ashwood stamped its class on the third quarter, steaming to a 28-point advantage with a term remaining.

The Kangaroos refused to give up and were able to cut the Magpies’ winning margin to only 14 points.

Dale Carroll is having a great season and took his goal tally to 31, with seven majors earning him recognition as the Magpies’ best player against the Kangaroos.

 

ENDEAVOUR HILLS vs SANDOWN

The disaster that is Sandown’s 2016 season continued as the Cobras were ruthlessly dispatched by Endeavour Hills.

The Falcons swooped early, blasting ten goals in the first term, whilst the defanged Cobras scored a paltry behind.

The only disappointment for Endeavour Hills was falling 10 points short of reaching a score of 200 by game’s end.

A couple of Falcons had a goal festival, with Shane Peake booting eight and Daniel Morrison seven. However, Nathan Crutchley was named best on ground for the winner.

 

Under 19 – Round 7 Review


With Alex Charles

Twitter@charlesy93

Round 7 presented another opportunity for teams to make inroads and it was vital for sides below the top six – Endeavour Hills, East Brighton-Bentleigh, Dingley, Highett and Carrum Patterson Lakes – to have solid weeks in order to close the gap. Nevertheless, the Saints, who had the bye, remained on top and the top six sides stayed within two wins of one another.

East Brighton-Bentleigh fought hard against Oakleigh District and managed to hold the lead for first three quarters. However, wayward kicking from Oakleigh wasn’t enough for the Vampires to get over the line as they were beaten by 14 points. Oakleigh’s haul of 18 behinds will be something they need to rectify in order to match the top sides while the Vampires will take plenty of positives from the fixture.

In addition, St Pauls played host to Hallam in what was a challenging game. The Bulldogs managed an incredible start to the season kicking big scores in the process. However, they have been unsurprisingly challenged in recent weeks. The Hawks remained within a goal towards half time but struggled to kick majors during the second half as the Bulldogs ultimately won by 28 points.

Elsewhere, Cheltenham comfortably accounted for Carrum Patterson Lakes by 98 points. The side had astonishing 35-7 scoring shots to reinforce their dominance on the way to win number five for the season. Notably, CPL’s rivals, Highett, were outclassed by Dingley. The Dingoes registered their first win for the season by 81 points thanks to a relentless eight-goal opening term. Highett managed six goals for the fixture and will have a similarly difficult game in round 8 when they face Oakleigh.

The round concluded early on Saturday morning with Endeavour Hills incredibly gallant in their defeat at the hands of Hampton. The Falcons held their own across the four quarters but their inability to find a match-winner capable of kicking multiple goals ultimately contributed to the nine-point defeat.

Overall, the frontrunners are beginning to emerge and the split in the competition from the top 6 to the bottom is becoming more noticeable. St Kilda and Hampton have managed to remain undefeated but are being closely followed by St Pauls, Cheltenham and Oakleigh. We will know more about the shape of the ladder in a few weeks as we approach the halfway point of the season.

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