SFNL Round Reviews are proudly brought to you by
Insurance 4 Footballers.
Missed The 5th Quarter on Sunday morning? Listen back to the podcast HERE.
Division 1 – Marbut Stone Round 8 Review
With Good Will Hunter
@Will_Hunter89
DINGLEY vs EAST MALVERN
It has taken 322 days, but finally the Dingley train has come to a grinding halt.
East Malvern pulled off a major shock on Saturday when they toppled the seemingly invincible Dingoes at Souter Oval, 8.6 (54) to 6.12 (48).
Conditions were testing after the overnight rain and goals proved hard to come by for both sides, particularly after quarter time.
However, conditions don’t influence effort, desire and intensity, and Ben Lockwood’s boys brought that in spades. This ultimately proved the difference between the two sides.
Dingley were let down by poor goal kicking, and trailed by two points at the final change despite have twice as many scoring shots as the Panthers.
Matt Terech was a colossus in the ruck, and with Jimmy Dowling and Ed Sim the beneficiaries of his good work, East Malvern were able to gain a decisive advantage around the stoppages.
Issac McCrimmon was also commendable down back for the Panthers.
For the Dingoes is was Rob Rusan, Chris Horton-Milne and skipper Tony Lavars that kept them in the hunt.
Jack Crameri topped all comers with four goals for the winners, while Dingoes ace Cal McQueen booted three up the other end.
The loss is the Dingoes first since Round 15 last year, ending a 13-game winning streak.
ST KILDA CITY vs CHELTENHAM
But the Round 8 upsets didn’t end there.
Cheltenham travelled to the Peanut Farm and came away with the four points after a 10.15 (75) to 6.8 (44) victory over St Kilda City.
It was a hugely disappointing performance from the Saints, who were terrific in their victory over finals aspirant St Pauls a fortnight ago.
The Rosellas, meanwhile, had shown glimpses of their potential in games this season, but finally strung together four quarters of its best footy in claiming is second win of the year.
The Saints started the game positively, booting four goals in the opening term to lead by two straight kicks at the first change. But from there it was all Cheltenham as they held the home side to just two more majors for the remainder of the match.
A four-goal-to-one final term sealed the deal for the jubilant Rosellas, with spearhead Josh Fox snagging a game-high five goals. Mitchell Stevens, Morgan Hampton and Dan Vaughan were also valuable contributors in the victory.
Saints captain Ricky Thomson again led from the front, with Caleb Mason and Juy Capp lending their support.
CLAYTON vs ST PAULS
The Bulldogs, however, erased memories of their defeat to the Saints in their last start by running out 12.9 (81) to 7.7 (49) winners over Clayton at Meade Reserve.
It was a tight, hard-fought contest for the first three quarters, with just two points separating the combatants at the three quarter time huddles.
But the Doggies got off the chain in the last, booting six goals to one in a dominant display to coast to victory.
Jarryd Allan and David Hutchinson were standout performers for St Pauls, but it was Harley Ambrose that claimed best afield honours after an eye-catching four-goal display.
Brad Gilder also underlined his importance to the side with a solid contribution in just his second game for the year.
Clays captain Jayden Gilmore played his best game for the year, while Joel Rigoni and Andy Rays also shone for the black and whites.
OAKLEIGH DISTRICT vs MORDIALLOC
Over at Princes Highway Reserve, Oakleigh District fell to a determined Mordialloc outfit 8.13 (61) to 6.5 (41).
Despite being held goalless in the third term, the Bloods led at every change to claim their fifth win of the season in another low-scoring affair.
The water-tight Mordi defence restricted dangerous Oaks trio Aaron Henneman, Paul Fermanis and Khaled Kandakji to just three goals between them, with the home side missing the additional attacking fire power of Dave Velardo.
Up the other end, James Morris booted three, while Luke Barnhoorn, Todd Bastion and Carey Neville were also prominent for the Bloods.
Luke Casey was Oakleigh District’s best.
[caption id="attachment_11726" align="aligncenter" width="601"]
PHOTO CREDIT: Everard Fenton[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_11729" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
PHOTO CREDIT: Everard Fenton[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_11727" align="aligncenter" width="399"]
PHOTO CREDIT: Everard Fenton[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_11728" align="aligncenter" width="399"]
PHOTO CREDIT: Everard Fenton[/caption]
Photos from Saturday's Oakleigh District V Mordialloc game can be purchased HERE.
BENTLEIGH vs EAST BRIGHTON
The final game saw East Brighton cop another thrashing, this time to the second-placed Demons at Bentleigh Reserve.
The home side overcame a slow start, but were never challenged after quarter time in their 17.22 (124) to 2.3 (15) romp.
The Vampires were goalless to three quarter time, and although they mustered two in the last to save face, 39 scoring shots to five ultimately painted a grim picture.
Pat Nicholls and Sam McGarry were the chief destroyers with seven and four goals respectively, while SFNL Under 18 interleague vice-captain Jayce Morgan was impressive in his senior debut.
The mercurial Mark Jamieson was one of few Vampires that could hold their head high.
Division 2 – Marbut Stone Round 10 Review
With Jason Barbin
@JBarbin10
Round 10 of Division 2 in the Southern Football Netball League delivered with several highlights coming from an exceptional weekend of football.
Skye 9.13 (67) def by Murrumbeena 14.9 (93)
Murrumbeena has looked like it has turned a corner following a stunning 26-point upset win against Skye on the road. Alister Bradley was simply sensational with five goals in a best on ground performance while Chris Evans and Cory Hargrave were also impressive. In a tight first half, the Beena were able to establish a six-point half time lead but burst clear in the second half, kicking six goals to two to run away with the victory and remain in finals contention.
Keysborough 9.12 (66) def Springvale Districts 7.12 (54)
Keysborough also remain in finals contention after a thrilling 12-point victory against a spirited Springvale side at home. The Burra was well served by Davor Rajic who finished with five majors while Shaun Dekkers was in strong form to claim best on ground honours. After trailing at quarter time, Keysborough kicked three goals to one in the second term to take a 10-point lead into half time before banging home another five goals in the second half to record the victory.
Black Rock 2.5 (17) def by Highett 13.14 (92)
A stunning defensive performance from Highett has lifted it to a 75-point win against Black Rock. The Dogs trailed by one point at quarter time before holding the Jets goalless for the rest of the game, while kicking 11 goals themselves. Sam Jackson was best on ground with three goals for Highett while Joel Jones-Hampton also kicked three goals. The game was still up for grabs at half time with Highett only leading by 18 points but eight goals to one behind in the second half shut the door on any Black Rock comeback.
Port Melbourne Colts 17.16 (118) def Chelsea Heights 17.5 (107)
Port Melbourne firmed as premiership favourites after grinding out a victory against Chelsea Heights, despite missing several key players. Leading goalkicker Jason Butty was a notable absentee for the Colts but the club rallied and finished with nine different goal scorers of the day, led by David McGregor with three while Robb Jewell and Nathan Spinks were best on ground. The match went right down to the wire with the Heighters leading by one point at half time before the Colts came back to lead by eight at the final change. Both sides kicked three goals in the final quarter but Port Melbourne was able to hold on and record an 11-point victory.
Heatherton 4.4 (28) def by Hampton 6.17 (53)
The Hammers overcame poor accuracy in front of goal to record its fifth win of the season, a 25-point triumph against the Tonners. Damian Armansin put together one of his best games of the year in the win while Rhys Pierce and Nick O’Donovan were also impressive. Poor kicking during the second and third quarters saw plenty of wasted opportunities from Hampton and it led by 10 points at the final change. The Hammers made the most of their opportunities in the fourth term however, bagging three goals to claim victory.
Division 3 – Marbut Stone Round 9 Review
With Andrew Paloczi
@Apaloczi
HALLAM vs MOUNT WAVERLEY
Hallam hosted Mount Waverley on a crisp, still night.
By three quarter time, the Mountain Lions led by 33 points, having withstood a challenge from the Hawks.
Mount Waverley players were urged to build the lead in the last term to send a message to their opponents.
Early in the quarter, they extended the lead to 40 points with a goal from Joey Rickard.
Just as the Mountain Lions seemed set for a big win, Hallam sent a message of its own.
The Hawks punished a Mount Waverley error, booting a major, and by the 12-minute mark had added a couple more, reducing the margin to 20 points.
A little before time on, a Hallam player took possession in a ruck contest and was immediately tackled, and penalised.
Mount Waverley cleared the ball from defence, goaling at the other end to set up a 26-point lead, and went on to win by that margin.
James Gough starred for the Mountain Lions, with six majors.
SOUTH YARRA vs ASHWOOD
Tom Hanney booted four goals and Scott Stegehuis was the best player in an impressive South Yarra victory over Ashwood.
The Magpies led by 10 points at the long break, but the Lions edged eight points ahead by the last change.
South Yarra powered home with four last term goals to one, setting up a 29-point victory.
SANDOWN vs CARRUM PATTERSON LAKES
As expected, Carrum Patterson Lakes proved too strong for Sandown, racing away with the match after quarter time.
At the first change the Cobras were just 2-points down, but from then on the Lions added 14 goals to four, cruising to a 64-point win.
Sandown is stranded on the bottom by two games, and is winless halfway through the season.
CPL’s best was Cameron Marshall. Sam Watterson was the winner’s most prolific goal scorer with four.
[caption id="attachment_11730" align="aligncenter" width="601"]
PHOTO CREDIT: Everard Fenton[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_11731" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
PHOTO CREDIT: Everard Fenton[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_11732" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
PHOTO CREDIT: Everard Fenton[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_11733" align="aligncenter" width="401"]
PHOTO CREDIT: Everard Fenton[/caption]
Photos from Saturday's Sandown V Carrum patterson Lakes game can be purchased HERE.
LYNDALE vs LYNDHURST
With a 39-point advantage at three quarter time, Lyndale was set for a percentage booster against Lyndhurst.
The Lightning players refused to give up in the last term, booting three goals to none to cut the Pumas’ winning margin to just 25 points.
Steve Comino was the Pumas’ best for the second week running and Jake Rech contributed to the win with four goals.
MOORABBIN vs DOVETON EAGLES
Adam Read put through six majors in a best on ground performance, helping steer Doveton to a 57-point triumph over Moorabbin.
The Eagles were in command all day, but a couple of serviceable Kangaroos were ruckman Zdenek Hostalek, and Jack Williams who kicked four majors.
DANDENONG vs ENDEAVOUR HILLS
Endeavour Hills ruthlessly destroyed Dandenong.
Falcon Shaun Richards’ impressive work resulted in eleven goals in a best on ground display. This was one more major than the total he kicked in the first eight rounds.
Other destroyers for the winner were Daniel Morrison with six goals, Mitch Whatman with five, and Shane Peake with four.
Endeavour Hills was well in front at half time, but went berserk in the second half, booting 20 goals to two.
The Falcons finished with a score of 212, winning by 174 points.
Under 19 – Marbut Stone Round 8 Review
With Alex Charles
@charlesy93
A week away from action thanks to the Queen’s Birthday ensured players would be hungry to get back to playing. Some sides were slow to return to their routine as the total differential between the teams was 416 points across five matches. Therefore, the average winning margin across the weekend was 83 points as a handful of sides continued to push towards finals thanks to comprehensive victories.
Significantly, the numbers were fairly distorted. Two games had winning margins below 30 points. Ultimately, one of these results was the upset of the round as Hampton suffered their first defeat at the hands of Hallam.
The Hawks managed to win by 29 points in a low-scoring affair as they held a team very capable of kicking big numbers to only four goals for the game. The strong performance can be underpinned by solid teamwork and multiple contributions to the scoreboard by Matt Dyer, Dylan Grayson, Brandon Gilder and Ethan Kantawara. Each player kicked two goals while Hampton could only muster two goal scorers as a result of solid team defence. As a consequence, Hampton received a wake-up call with their first loss, but importantly Hallam’s victory keeps them right within touching distance of the top sides.
The other result which ended below 30 points – Endeavour Hills and East Brighton-Bentleigh – was an intense battle. The Falcons were pushed all the way by a rejuvenated Vampires outfit who are beginning to find their form by gelling as a team. Whilst they will be disappointed with the result, their effort can’t be faulted. Their effort to chase down 14, 17 and 22-point deficits across the three main changes is testament to where they are heading as a football club. On the other hand, Endeavour Hills will be breathing a sigh of relief after their goalless last quarter almost ensured defeat. Moving forward, both teams will be looking to cause a few upsets as their finals chances continue to reduce.
With St Pauls sitting out this week due to the bye, St Kilda were given the chance to move into top position for the time being. They managed to take this opportunity with a 56-point win over Cheltenham, who have been the surprise packets so far this season. The result sends a message to their close rivals as they remain the only undefeated side of the 2016 season.
Lastly, the big winners of the round in terms of margin were Oakleigh and Dingley over Highett and Carrum respectively. Oakleigh completely outclassed Highett in a resounding 164-point win and in the process they kept them scoreless for the four quarters. It was a strong team performance and provides the necessary percentage boost to keep them in top four contention.
Dingley returned to form in similar fashion to their counterparts by defeating Carrum in a strong display. The 165-point margin reinforces the team’s capabilities and could prove to be a turning point for the Dingoes. Similarly to Highett, the Lions continue to play with less numbers than their opposition and should be applauded for their efforts each week. Both sides will continue to front-up to every game with the same endeavour and attitude they’ve displayed so far and it is therefore likely to be a successful development process.
Another week concludes and we creep closer to the midway point of the season. Contenders are emerging but don’t be too quick to discount any of the challengers as it is definitely not a one-team season!
