Round 13: Men's Football Review
Division 1:
Over the weekend the league's top division produced a mixed bag of results that have helped shape the ladder heading into the latter stages of the season.
To kick things off, it was a clash between the bottom placed side in East Malvern and the league leaders, Cranbourne Eagles.
As expected, the Eagles completely dismantled the Panthers by a whopping 159 points in an incredibly one sided affair which saw the Eagles kick a remarkable 29 goals and at great accuracy too.
The damage was done consistently throughout the day but the Eagles produced a special second quarter which saw them kick 10 goals in a brilliant display of fast and free flowing football, showcasing why they remain the premiership fancy.
The Eagles completely controlled the play racking up +143 and marks and a ridiculous +110 marks whilst also having 43 more inside 50’s. Marc Holt and Kirk Dickson both thrilled the crowd with the pair both remarkably slotting 9 goals each. For the Panthers, Patrick Mcnamara was brave in defeat, gathering 41 disposals.
In the game of the round between the Port Melbourne Colts and Bentleigh the Colt’s fought off a brave Bentliegh outfit to come away 5 point winners at home.
The Colts went into this clash as warm favorites but were met with a spirited Demons outfit who took it right up to the Colts all day in a thrilling contest. The margin all day never was any larger than three goals for either side with the game being a constant arm wrestle.
The Colts, however, will lament their inaccuracy in front of goals which ultimately kept the Demons in the game right until the final siren. The Colts kicked a woeful 12.24 with the forwards having a day to forget in front of goal, in a game which really should have seen the Colts win by a very comfortable margin.
They also recorded 27 more inside 50’s than the Demons showcasing their dominance and also their inefficiency in the forward half. The Colts sit seventh and remain well and truly in the finals hunt whilst the Demons remain second bottom with their finals chances all but gone.
In what shaped to be the game of the round between second placed Cheltenham and third placed St Paul’s Mckinnon, the Rosella’s impressed massively coming away with a thumping 57 point victory.
The Doggies who have been in good touch recently, didn't start the game well at all as they looked slow and sloppy which led to them being blown out of the park by half time trailing by 47 points and were held goalless in the first half.
In what was a game much closer than the scoreboard suggested the Rosellas only recorded 2 more inside 50’s highlighting their efficiency and accuracy in the forward half whilst also showcasing the Doggies poor forward half display. The Rosella’s did however control proceedings for the most of the day recording 70 more disposals in a commanding performance.
Austin Johnson was arguably best on ground racking up 36 disposals whilst also kicking 2 goals in a brilliant outing with Samuel Hayes once again being in the best alongside Myke Cook.
St Kilda City continued their charge in season 2022 this time overcoming Dingley by 34 points in another impressive display.
The Saints, who have been the form team of the competition in recent weeks after adding AFL legend Brendan Fevola and regaining Pie’s champ Dane Swan with the pair having a major influence in the side as you would expect and making the Saints the box office team in the competition currently.
The game got off to a slow start with both sides taking time to work themselves into the game which saw just the 4 goals kicked combined in the first half. But a much more open and free flowing second half saw more goals kicked in an entertaining half where the Saints were able to kick away kicking 8 goals to 4 in that time.
The Saints have now extended their position on the table over the Dingoes by 4 points to make the gap now 8 points, cementing their top four place as the Saints now look a genuine premiership contender.
Springvale’s finals hopes received a big boost on the weekend as they comfortably took care of Mordialloc by 68 points in a dominant display.
The Districts went into this clash desperate for the four points in order to keep themselves in the hunt for finals but they were met with a brave Bloodhounds outfit who took the game right up to the districts all day.
The contest was low scoring and extremely tight for the first three quarters with the Districts only leading by 10 points at the final break, with the Bloodhounds threatening to stage a major upset.
The Districts failed to find their rhythm in the first three quarters but found their mojo and hit their straps in the last term which saw them remarkably kick an astounding 11 goals to 1 to walk away in the end with a comfortable victory thanks to their last quarter heroics.
The Districts remain just a game away from a finals spot and will be aiming to break into the five in the coming weeks whilst for Mordialloc they remain a slim chance of playing finals but a win here would have really put them in the hunt.
Division 2:
Skye hosted Hampton Park on Saturday afternoon in a clash that produced many highlights and a gripping contest was played out with Hampton coming away with the four points.
Hampton headed into this clash as warm favorites and they produced a brilliant first half performance which put them in the box seat before the main break. In an electric first half, Hampton kicked 8 goals to Skye’s to set up the game.
The Second half however was a much different tale, with the Bombers actuallty winning the second half in a great second half performance from Skye which they will be hopping to carry that momentum into next week.
In a remarkably low scoring affair between Doveton and East Brighton which saw just the six goals kicked between the two sides for the whole game, the Doves recorded a 31 point victory.
The Doves who sit comfortably at the top of the table would have been expecting a much easier game than what panned out but they will lament their poor accuracy in front of the big sticks which saw them kick 5.16.
Although the Vampires also had their chances in front of goals and were also unable to convert, kicking just the one goal and nine behinds, kicking themselves out of the contest.
The Doves remain top of the table and have suffered just the one loss so far in season 2022 whilst for the Vampires they sit a game and a half out of the top four and will be looking to close the gap over the coming weeks.
Top two challengers, Keysbourough continued their strong form this time thumping bottom placed Heatherton by 80 points in a comfortable outing.
The Burra’s produced a blistering opening half which saw them kick 5 goals in the first quarter and then following that up with another 6 goals in the second term to open up an assailable lead at the main break.
The Burra’s then continued on their merryway in the second half to overrun Heatherton in a convincing display. Thomas Shaw absolutely dominated up forward with 10 majors combining with Matthew Carnelley who kicked 7 of his own with the pair proving too hot to handle for the Heatherton defense.
In another comfortable win for the premiership contenders Chelsea Heights they dismantled Highett by 80 points away from home.
Highett started the game full of energy and hunger taking the challenge right up to the Demons, with Highett only trailing by 10 points at the first break and 12 at the main break it reflected their great performance in the first half giving them a chance of producing a major upset.
But there was no stopping the Demons in the second half as they hit their straps and showed their class where they kicked 12 goals to 2 in the second half to complete a comfortable victory in the end. Bradley Gilder continued his strong form this time with 6 goals.
Chelsea Heights remain in the top two and are eying down top spot whilst Highett’s finals chances hang in the balance after another loss.
Division 3:
Endeavour Hills recorded another impressive win over the weekend recording a 47 point win over Clayton.
The game certainly didn't take long to warm into a cracking contest with a 12 goal first quarter in which the Falcons kicked 8 goals to the Clays 4 four in a blistering and free flowing opening quarter of football.
The second and third quarter proved an alot more even affair with both sides kicking 5 goals a piece in the second and third quarters. The Falcons then put the stamp on the contest kicking away in the last term to record a strong win.
Alexander Cann and Jayden Regan both booted 4 goals each in an impressive display from the forward duo whilst Baron Grant was named best afield.
The Narre South Saints continued their top four charge with a monstrous win over South Yarra in an eye-catching display.
The Saints started their dominance right from the first bounce as they raced out of the blocks to kick 8 goals in a blistering first term. They then went on to kick another 8 goals in the third term to give the Saints a needed percentage boost.
It was a great day in front of the big sticks for the Saints as they ended with 26 goals on the day, showing their class and efficiency in their forward half. Steven Sigeti had a day out kicking 10 goals.
The Lions remain bottom of the table and their second win looks further away as the weeks go on. For the Saints, they are half a win away from the top four and will be looking to break into the four over the coming weeks.
In easily the game of the round and possibly the game of the year, Black Rock beat Ashwood by 2 points in an instant classic in front of a packed Macdonald Reserve.
Black Rock went into this clash on top of the table with their opponents Ashwood starting the round in third. The game as expected was extremely even all day with neither team being able to kickaway.
Lachlan Reynolds produced a best on ground performance racking up plenty of disposals whilst also hitting the scoreboard kicking 3 goals. Luke Caton-Thomas shone for the Magpies, almost dragging his side over the line.
Black Rock still remain comfortably on top after 13 rounds whilst the Magpies didn't get the four points they proved to themselves and the rest of the competition that they can match it with the best which will give them major confidence going forward.
Murrumbeena recorded another strong win this time over Carrum Patterson Lakes at home by 43 points in an intriguing contest.
The Been started the better out of the two sides and held a 3 goal lead heading into the first break. The third quarter produced a cracking display of free flowing footy with the Beena kicking 6 goals and CPL booting 5 of their own to really spark life into this contest.
The last quarter once again was very even with Murrumbeena eventually coming away with a solid and well fought out victory.
The Beena remain second on the ladder and have further solidified their position in the top two whilst CPL still remain in a tight battle with a number of other teams to claim a finals position.
Division 4:
In what shaped as an even contest, Doveton proved no match for Hampton in what turned out to be a very comfortable win for the Hammer's coming away 74 point winners.
The Eagles who were looking for just their second win of the year would have gone into this contest thinking they were a real chance of getting that long awaited victory but were met with a determined Hammers outfit who dominated right from the first bounce.
Sam Buck impressed in his first game for the Hamers booting 5 goals and being named best on ground whilst Madden Griffin kicked 4 goals of his own.
In a crucial clash in the battle for top four, South Morning extended their hold on the top four and showed their dominance dismantling Dandenong by 91 points.
With the contest being mostly even for the first half, in particular the first term, the Tigers held just a small 25 point margin heading into the main break.
The Tigers then produced a spectacular second half display which saw them kick 15 goals in the second half to the Redlegs 5 which broke the game open and set up a big win for the Tigers. Josh Abela had a day to remember kicking the 10 majors.
With this win the Tigers now move 12 points clear of the Redlegs in a win that looks to have earned them a top four spot come season's end.
In the highly anticipated top of the table clash between Lyndhurst and Frankston, the Dolphins proved too strong coming away 42 point victors.
The Dolphins started the game on fire in a strong 4.4 to 1 goal opening term which had them on top from the start and gave them confidence to continue on their ways in the next three terms, winning all remaining quarters.
Liam O’Donnell and Richard Mathers both continued their impressive goal kicking seasons with the pair kicking 4 goals and 3 goals on the day respectively.
The Dolphins have now extended their lead on top of the table over the lightning to two games as they firm to finish top of the table.
Lyndale continued their good form over the last few weeks, recording another thumping win this time against bottom placed Cerberus.
Lyndale came into this clash really needing the four points on offer to ensure they remain in the hunt for finals and they certainly delivered. Lydnale dominated right from the word go and never gave Cerberus a chance to work themselves into the game.
The Puma’s were magnificent in front of the big sticks, booting 21 goals for the day and scoring at a great efficiency to set up a big win.
The Kandakji duo were unstoppable up forward with the two booting 13 goals between them with Khaled booting 6 and Ahmed slotting 5. Jayden Denmead was named best afield continuing his fine form.
Hallam overcame a brave Moorabbin outfit on Saturday at Widdop Crescent Reserve to stamp their top four claims.
The Hawks surprisingly found themselves trailing and goalless at the first break with the Kangaroos coming out on fire early and threatening to cause a huge upset. It was a remarkable 9 goal to 2 second term from the Hawks which swung the game their way and put them right in charge heading into the main break holding a 33 point lead.
Jack Sharlassian bounced back from two goalless weeks kicking 4 goals and proving too much to handle for the Kangaroos defenders whilst Benjamin Coutet impressed also for the Hawks.
The Hawks sit third currently and remain cemented in the top four and will be aiming to keep building heading into the back end of the season whilst the Kangaroos’ finals hopes seem to be fading and will need to bounce back well over the next few weeks.
