In the third last round of the home and away season, the teams preparing for Division 1 finals are starting to separate themselves from the pack.
In no case was that more apparent than Dingley’s 151-point win over Bentleigh, which should cement the Dingoes in the top-5.
Dingley dominated all facets of the game on the stat sheet, with 41 more inside-50’s and 147 more disposals.
Lucas Walmsley had one of the best statistical performances you will see, with 40 disposals and five goals. Whilst midfielders Nathan Freeman and Jackson Peet were dominant with 33 and 37 touches respectively.
The famous Dingley premiership pedigree is certainly starting to reveal itself at the right time of the year.
St Paul’s McKinnon finished strongly to defeat St.Kilda City at McKinnon Reserve in what was an important game.
The Saints had some handy inclusions like Dane Swan who finished with 38 disposals, and they took a lead into the half-time break.
However the Doggies had a big lift in the final term, and piled on seven goals to run away 25 point winners.
Matthew O’Brien continued his great run of form with another mention in the best players and 35 disposals.
Cheltenham have made sure they are still seen as the team to beat in Division 1 with a convincing win over Port Melbourne Colts.
Austin Johnson continues to show he is the brightest young star in the competition as he dominated with 34 disposals and three goals.
The Rosella’s piled on 24 goals for the day, including plenty coming from Dylan Weickhart and Jack Worrel. The two stars combined for eight goals and six score assists.
Stephen Brewer and Justin Taylor still managed 38 and 37 touches respectively as they have done all season, but the Colts were -50 in marks and -20 in inside 50’s as Cheltenham controlled possession all day.
Cranbourne’s hot start set the tone at Mordiallioc’s Ben Kavanagh Reserve as they won by 52 points.
Bloods’ full-back Dylan Gregson held Cranbourne star forward Marc Holt goal-less for the day, which majorly restricted the Eagles scoring power as they relied on seven individual goal scorers.
For Mordialloc, they were on top in the clearances for the day with big thanks to James Keighley who had 10 along with 14 tackles and 31 touches.
Nonetheless the Eagles controlled the day with Zak Roscoe leading the way with 28 possessions.
An eleven goal to one second half saw Springvale Districts run over the top of East Malvern at Dunlop Reserve.
The Panthers kept the game tight in the early stages and saw a great showing from defender Ed Sim who finished the game with six intercept marks.
But they had no matchup for bigman Ty Vickery who was dominant with eight forward-50 marks, five score assists and three goals.
Skipper Mason Russell was also impressive for the Districts with 22 touches and six inside-50’s.
Division 2 – Round 17:
Hampton Park are still a chance of narrowly missing the top-5 after a loss to the Caulfield Bears.
Nathan Carver was strong up forward for the Redbacks kicking 4 goals, while Travis Davis added two and was judged their best player.
For Caulfield, they were led by Tom Bowring who had a day out and slotted six goals.
Hampton Park will now be watching this week's East Brighton result closely to see if they will feature in this year's finals.
Doveton are looking forward to the double-chance in finals after a big win over Highett at home.
With plenty of missed opportunities in the first quarter, the Doves straightened and ran away 80 point winners.
Coach Michael Cardamone celebrated his 300th game with three goals while the Doves listed Matthew Jameson as their best on the ground.
For Highett, Tom Brown kicked three of their seven goals and Luke Barnhoorn battled hard and was their best player.
Top of the table Chelsea Heights are hitting the business end of the season with a hot run of form.
The Heighters put 26 goals on the board against Heatherton, including seven from spearhead Brad Gilder.
Luke Tapscott continued to show why he is arguably the best player in Division 2, as he racked up disposals all day and was named best-on-ground.
Keysborough is another side that is taking some strong form into the final rounds after an 81-point victory over Skye.
Skye took a narrow lead into quarter time but struggled to hit the scoreboard in the remaining quarters.
The Burra’s locked away a second chance, firing 16 goals in three quarters led by Matthew Carnelley with five majors.
Simon Marchese continued his good form with a best on ground performance for Keysborough.
Division 3 – Round 17:
The Narre South Saints have seen their small finals hopes slip away after a very tight loss to Ashwood.
The Saints led at quarter-time and three-quarter-time, in what was a great contest with plenty of lead changes despite the low scoring from both teams.
Saints star Daniel Chin kicked two goals and Tim Shepherdson was also superb but the Saints could not hold on in the end as Ashwood claimed the points by one goal.
Pat Muling was named best for Ashwood who still sit in the hunt as third on the Division 3 ladder.
Clayton almost claimed a big upset over ladder-leaders Murrumbeena as the Lion’s escaped by eight points at home.
Clayton put the scoreboard pressure on early with Paul Tsoucalas doing what he does best with five goals.
But Murrumbeena came through with a late charge to claim the win with their place on top of the table still in check - Robbie Hyde was judged the best on ground for Murrumbeena.
A great showing from Black Rock at home has ensured they are certainly in the window for the Division 3 premiership.
Byron Wright led the way for the Jets against Endeavour Hills with five goals as they held the lead all day and ran away 66 point winners.
Taylor Meyer was very impressive and was listed as their best player.
Endeavour Hills now sit eight points outside the top-4 with just one round remaining in their 2022 campaign.
South Yarra had a tough task as they traveled down to Carrum Patterson Lakes to take on the Lions.
CPL put the foot down with seven goals in the second term, to the Yarra's single goal. Rohan Bleeker led his boys to a strong 126-point victory despite some inaccurate goal-kicking.
Bleeker finished with eight goals for the day whilst Jack Conroy also impressed.
Division 4 – Round 17:
It was raining goals at Widdop Crescent Reserve with a remarkable 48 goals between Moorabbin and South Mornington.
The Tigers were red-hot with their attack as they fired through an astounding 36 goals for the match.
Ten goals for Josh Abela was only enough for him to be named as fourth best on the ground. Sam Shaw chipped in with seven whilst Jordan Waite and Leon Grant finished with six each.
Fin Shaw was named best for the Tigers whilst Matt Johansson kicked five of the Kangaroo’s twelve goals.
South Mornington now sit a win clear in third position and will take great confidence into finals.
A tight contest at Peterson Street Reserve saw Dandenong edge out Hampton by 19 points.
The Hammers had a strong start as they took an eight point lead into the first change but some wayward kicking allowed Dandenong to make the most of their chances and hit the lead in the second term.
The Redlegs controlled the second half to claim the win thanks to a best-on-ground performance from Adam Boag and five goals from Louis Nichols.
Guy Timms was named Hampton’s best whilst Leo Grenville was terrific with three goals.
The Dolphin Pod continued to swim strongly at the top of the ladder as they had a very impressive win over Hallam at Hallam Reserve.
The finals-bound Hawks restricted the Dolphins scoring power early days, but the class of the Dolphins stood up as the margin grew all the way out to 133 points.
Andy Mathers keeps on dominating in the midfield and looks to be at short odds to take home the league medal. His brother Rich built on his lead as the competition's leading goalkicker as he booted six goals.
The other player right up the top of the goal-kicking tally is Lyndhurst’s Jarryd McGrath who bagged seven on the weekend against Lyndale.
A relatively even first quarter turned into a big win for the Lightning as they ran over the Puma’s by 138 points.
Lyndale’s Ahmed Kandakji kicked five of the Puma’s six goals for the game and was a shining light.
For the Lightning, Stephen Williams was judged their best player and Hamish Browning also kicked a bag of five goals.
Cerberus have jumped off the bottom of the ladder with a great win over the Doveton Eagles.
After a tough 2022 season both sides were looking keen to register their second win of the year.
Cerberus got the jump on the Eagles at Power Reserve, and held control till the end without the margin blowing out.
Odin Brown led the way for Cerberus as they came away 28 point winners.
Doveton Eagles were led by their main man yet again in Josh Johns with another best-on-ground effort.
