Round 13 Wrap-ups
DIVISION 1 with JASON BARBIN
Round 13 was spoiled by miserable weather all round but that didn’t stop several teams putting in solid performances.
Clayton overcame East Malvern in a rain soaked performance at Dunlop Reserve. The Clays failed to register a goal in the second half but were able to restrict East Malvern to only one major en route to a 10 point win. The victory keeps Clayton in touch with the top 5. Matthew Bennett was among the best for Clayton.
St Kilda City enjoyed a comfortable win against Highett at the Peanut Farm in Round 13. Their midfield was too much for the Doggies who were only able to manage one major after half time. The win was crucial for the Saints as they are now only percentage behind 5th placed Cheltenham. Gary Johnstone was the best for the Saints.
East Brighton avenged last year’s late season loss to Heatherton with an easy win at Ross St Reserve. The Vamps were simply too good as they held the Tonners goalless all day in a team effort. The 48 point victory puts the Vamps into the top 3 for the first time since Round 4 and within striking distance of a top 2 finish. Dean Francis was at his best with 4 goals.
St Pauls held off a fast finishing Chelsea Heights to keep a strong hold on top spot of the Division 1 ladder. The Doggies set up the victory with a five goal to nil second quarter. With Nigel Carmody leading the way for the Dogs, they were able to hang on despite the Heighters winning the last quarter. Callum Cathcart kicked 3 for St Pauls.
Dingley held on to their top 2 spot on the ladder with a 15 point over Cheltenham at Souter Reserve. The Dingoes led at every change to record their 11th win of the season. The loss puts the pressure back on the Rosellas as they hold on to 5th place only by percentage. Darren Andrews put in a great game down back holding Cheltenham gun forward Chris Graham goalless.
DIVISION 2 with THE FOOTY TRAGIC
Round 13 was cold, wet and miserable but most games panned out as expected; the only game that didn’t was the clash of the top two sides at Mordialloc.
With a pretty even first half at Mordialloc, the visitors held sway by only three points after being down by a tad over two goals at quarter time. With goals like diamonds in the conditions, Oakleigh District managed three goals to one in the third ‘premiership’ quarter to hold an eight point lead at 3/4 time. Both teams managed only one goal each in the last quarter with Oakleigh District hanging on for a seven point victory and won top spot on the ladder, a game ahead of Mordialloc, who cling onto second spot by percentage over the next three teams, all being 9 and 4.
Bentleigh took on Hampton and were never in trouble, once again showing they bounce back hard from defeats. Hampton’s finals dream surely is out of reach now, almost requiring a miracle to reach the top 5. With four of the last five games against teams above them on the ladder, three currently in the top five, I can’t see them making up the games deficit and increasing their percentage enough to get through.
South Yarra went down to Murrumbeena as expected, the weather prevented Murrumbeena from getting a healthy boost to their percentage and Murrumbeena still has concerns in that area, as 6th place Skye has a whopping percentage. If they can catch up in wins, they will leap frog Murrumbeena into the finals. Of course, if Murrumbeena manages to keep winning the percentage difference will mean ‘jack’.
Skye overcame Caulfield with ease at Koornang Park in another low scoring affair. Skye’s finals dream remains well and truly alive, whilst Caulfield can concentrate on development for season 2014. They will need to look for some more talent if they are going to improve next year.
Whatever faint finals hopes that Moorabbin held for this season were well and truly killed off by an efficient Springvale Districts side. The most one sided game of the round saw the home side never troubled.
DIVISION 3 with GOOD WILL HUNTER
Melbourne’s notoriously inclement winter weather reared its ugly head again last Saturday with heavy rain, strong winds and arctic temperatures making a skilful, high-scoring shootout dead-set impossible.
Ashwood and Dandenong slogged it out at Essex Heights Reserve, with the Magpies registering a thrilling come-from-behind win. In a low-scoring contest, the Redlegs conceded just one goal for the first three quarters and held a decisive advantage at the final change. Not to be denied, the home side snapped into action and four unanswered goals in the last quarter saw them steal an unlikely seven-point victory. Josh Stanton’s dominance was one of the catalysts for Ashwood’s resurgence.
There was another close finish at McDonald Reserve, with Lyndale getting the better of Black Rock. It was a classic see-sawing contest for most of the afternoon with neither side able to take control of the match. But with the game in the balance, Lyndale booted four goals to one in the final term to get up by nine points. Trevor Kumetaitis was unstoppable up forward for the winners with a six-goal haul.
Over at Hallam Reserve, Mount Waverley had little trouble in its 22-point triumph over the Hawks. In a game where goals were at a premium, the Mountain Lions gained the ascendancy in the opening stanza and Hallam simply couldn’t claw their way back into it. Both sides added just one goal each in a very scrappy second half. Despite conditions that hampered the big men, Mount Waverley ruckman Michael Dennis was a standout.
Carrum Patterson Lakes returned to the winner’s list with a very comfortable 50-point demolition of Endeavour Hills down at Roy Dore Reserve. After a first quarter stalemate, the Lions lifted in the second and pulled away to an 18-point lead. That was as close as the Falcons got; they failed to trouble the scorers in the second half as Carrum Patterson Lakes cruised home with Adam Lihuillier leading the charge.
The final game saw Doveton get the better of Sandown at Power Reserve. The Eagles faced some tough resistance in the first half and led by just two goals at the main break. But as good sides do, they found another level after half time and a five-goal final term completed the 50-point victory. Paul Dye provided the spark up forward for Doveton with three majors.
UNDER 19s with GOOD WILL HUNTER
St Pauls fought hard and grinded out a terrific win over Chelsea Heights at Beazley Reserve. The Heighters led at the main interval, but the Doggies slammed on 10 goals to three in the second half to run away with it. Tim Carracher was simply outstanding for St Pauls while big Jackson Fry was the lone hand up forward for the home side.
At Beena Arena, Clayton put in one of their best performances for the year against the highly-fancied Murrumbeena. At no stage were they completely out of the contest, but Beena’s class ensured they got home by five goals. Cameron Rundell was best on for the winners, while big man Jack Gavin put in a commanding performance for the Clays in spite of the tough conditions.
Carrum Patterson Lakes fought hard against Skye early, keeping them goalless in the opening quarter. But the Bombers lifted in front of the vocal home crowd and cruised home in the second half. Luke Bailey-Kohne was again terrific for Skye, as was Troy Jones for CPL.
The final game was a disappointing one for finals aspirant Dingley – easily beaten by Bentleigh at the Den. Although Harry Thompson offered a lot of resistance, the Dingoes were never really in the hunt as the flag favourites put on a clinical display. Kade Heaphy-Wemyss earned himself best afield honours for Bentleigh.
