Round 5 Wrap-Ups

DIVISION ONE with JASON BARBIN

Round 5 action saw one team get their first win of the season while the premiership favourites were challenged by an old rival.

East Malvern took on Highett in a big game for both clubs in terms of fighting off relegation. It would be East Malvern who got their first win of the year in a game that saw both sides kick inaccurately. East Malvern lead from go to woe but inaccurate kicking cost them a bigger win. Tom Brown was best for Highett while Tom Delahunty was best for East Malvern.

Cheltenham earned a well fought victory against Heatherton at Jack Barker Oval in round 5. Heatherton continued to improve and looked a much better football side than earlier in the season, but the Rosellas got a much needed win to keep in touch with the top 5 after losing 2 straight. Chris Graham bagged 6 goals while Jake Grey bagged 3 for Heatherton.

St Kilda City looked to end St Pauls' winning streak when the two teams met at the Peanut Farm on Saturday. The doggies looked a little rattled early on as the saints lead at half time. But St Pauls rallied in the second half and scraped through with a 16 point win. The two ruckmen Andrew Gilbert and Steve Arvanitis were among the best for their respective sides.

Chelsea Heights took on East Brighton in the much anticipated grand final replay at Beazley reserve. The Heighters got their revenge in a match where the vampires were once again plagued by inaccurate kicking in front of goal, allowing the demons to run away with a comfortable win. Brad Gilder starred for the Heighters in his return while Peter Larsen was the vamps best.

Dingley continued their unbeaten start to the season with a convincing win over Clayton at Souter Oval. As usual the Dingoes had a high number of goal scorers as they spread the ball around, resulting in a 6 goal half time lead. Despite a more productive second half from the Clays, Dingley recorded their 5th straight win and their best ever start in Division 1. Luke Bartholomew and Sheldon Price were among the best.

 

DIVISION TWO with THE FOOTY TRAGIC

Well what a shake up last week was; 3 games went as expected but who could have tipped the other 2 upsets with confidence without being called insane!

Murrumbeena took the trip to Mordialloc and even their most staunch supporters would have been hoping that their team would avoid a flogging.  What an effort; The Beena led at every change and the game was never in doubt! The Mordialloc supporters would have been suffering de ja vu from last year whilst the Murrumbeena gang would have been reliving their glory years!

If that wasn’t bad enough (for the tipsters), what about Caulfield taking on the (previously) undefeated Oakleigh District. Once again, the underdogs led at every change and the “Ra Ra Ra” would have been sung till the wee hours of Sunday morning! I did say if Caulfield could get their act together they could make it difficult for Oakleigh but I didn’t realise how good their act could be! It will be interesting to see if they can keep that form going. I am sure that Oakleigh will bounce back though.

Moorabbin got onto the winning list finally at the expense of South Yarra. South Yarra seem to have the cattle, but somehow they are just not “gelling”.  With the season a third of the way through after this week, they will need to start “gelling” soon or they will be back in Division 3 next year! Let’s hope that Moorabbin can string a few wins together so they can stay up in Division 2.

Hampton got the “pumping” of the week at the hands of Skye. I did predict they would have trouble with the tight defence of the Bombers, and also mentioned that Skye had been the highest scoring side in Division 2. I’m not always right but this time I was spot on. I wouldn’t think that Hampton would get too many more shellackings at their home ground, but think that Skye should have a big say on who progresses to Division 1 for next season.

Last game also went to plan (my plan at least), with Bentleigh “handling” Springvale Districts at the Newcomen Oval. As in the pattern of the week, Bentleigh led at every change, and thanks to the Caulfield Bears effort against Oakleigh District, find themselves in the lofty heights of Ladder Leaders, at least for this week.

 

DIVISION THREE with WILL HUNTER

Mount Waverley asserted itself as a premiership favourite with a hard-fought win over Sandown at Edinburgh Reserve. In a tight arm-wrestle of a first half, the Mountain Lions were able to keep their noses in front. But after the main break, the visitors took control of the match and kicked away to a six-goal lead at the final change. The Cobras rallied in the last quarter to reduce the final deficit to 14 points. Kayne Reddy’s two goals helped him snare best on ground honours for the Mountain Lions while Jake Chapman was a livewire up forward with three goals for the home side.

Down at Roy Dore Reserve, Carrum Patterson Lakes registered its third win for the season with an impressive victory over Lyndale. The Lions got off to a flying start with five opening term goals setting up a handy buffer at the first change. Not to be denied, the Pumas gradually began to wipe off the deficit until just 3 points separated the sides at three quarter time. But just when it looked like Lyndale were about to run away with an unlikely come-from-behind win, the home side found another gear and kicked away to triumph by 19 points.

Endeavour Hills’ losing streak continued with a 10-goal defeat at the hands of Ashwood at Essex Heights Reserve. The Falcons began well and were surprise leaders at quarter time, but the Magpies took control of the game from that point onwards, gradually increasing their lead at every change. Ashwood were impressive, and Michael Langford was one of their best in his 250th game.

Hallam also slumped to a fifth straight defeat, this time against Dandenong at Hallam Reserve. The Redlegs came out firing and held a solid buffer at quarter time. Although the Hawks showed some fight in the second term, a 10-goal third quarter saw Dandenong make the result a mere formality. Levi Moss was simply superb for the victors, while teammates Daniel and Kevin Atkin booted nine goals between them.

In the last game, the undefeated Doveton did it easily over Black Rock at McDonald Reserve. Their 117-point thrashing boosted their percentage and sees them leapfrog Mount Waverley to return to the top of the ladder. The result was never in doubt, as the Eagles held the home side goalless for the second and third terms, and the Jets finished with just two majors for the match. Doveton were at their clinical best, with Corrie and Clint Wilson again leading the way.

 

UNDER 19s with WILL HUNTER

Skye remain the only undefeated side in the competition with a convincing win over St Pauls at the Hangar. Skye’s inaccurate kicking kept the Doggies in it to half time, but with Lachlan Hamill on fire and Ryan McConville booting eight, the Bombers powered away in the second half.

Over at the Den, the Dingoes proved too good for the Magpies. Clayton was certainly in the hunt at the main break, only four points adrift. But 13 goals to one in the second half sealed the deal for Dingley. Jake Cole-Sinclair claimed best on ground honours in his team’s big win, while Joel Rigoni was again sensational off halfback for the Magpies.

Carrum Patterson Lakes’ tough season continued with a big home loss to Murrumbeena. Beena were dominant from start to finish, with Shooting Star nominee Jackson Meredith adding two majors to cap another sublime best afield display. However, CPL put in a solid effort for most of the day, and had performers in Alex Bollen and Dylan Cott.

Hampton had a hard time down at Beazley Reserve, with Chelsea Heights claiming a comfortable win. The Heighters looked the better side all day, but to the Hammers’ credit, they fought the game out hard and won the last quarter. Jackson Fry was again the star with seven goals for the Heighters.