Round 6: Men's Football Review
DIVISION 1
St Paul’s Mckinnon have collected their fourth win of the season in a good contest against the in-form Springvale Districts.
Inaccurate goal kicking in the first half from the Doggies allowed Springvale Districts to be right in the contest before taking a four-point lead into the final change. But the class of St Paul’s McKinnon over-ran them in the end as they claimed a 19 point win with a strong final term.
Jimmy Sziller was outstanding for the Dogs with 22 disposals at 100% efficiency, whilst Matthew O’Brien led the ball-winners with 25 touches and was named amongst the best.
“St Paul’s were the better team on the day and deserved to win,” Springvale Districts Coach Kris Thompson says.
Thompson also gave credit to 19 year old Toby Arms (18 disposals and 7 inside-50’s) and Jake Kelly in his first game for the club.
St Kilda City welcomed back Brownlow Medalist Dane Swan in a great way as they travelled to Bentleigh Reserve and claimed a strong 82-point win.
The game was competitive in the early stages, with Bentleigh unable to make the most of chances they had before falling away as the game progressed.
Troy Kelm in the ruck was giving first use to superstars Luke Potts and Madi Andrews, who both had the ball on a string.
Forwards De Gois, Edwards and Espinosa all kicked four goals to add to their trademark large total.
Another red-hot forward line was on show at Ben Kavanagh Reserve, as Dingley had a big win over Mordialloc.
Justin Van Unen (6), Michael Dolan and Dan Farmer (4) all kicked big bags of goals whilst being named amongst the best players.
However, it was the Lucas Walmsley show on the stat sheet - as he had 37 disposals, 16 ground ball gets, 8 clearances and 7 inside-50’s.
Dylan Gregson fought hard all day down back for the Blood’s, as he led the disposal count with 20 touches.
Port Melbourne Colts also had a big win at the hands of East Malvern as they knocked off the Panthers by 94 points.
Rikki Newton was the star of the show up forward as he slotted eight goals for the Colts.
Draft prospect Charlie Clarke returned to his local club and also put on a show for the Colts. Clarke kicked two goals in a best-on-ground performance and will be a key player to watch for the Sandringham Dragons for the remainder of the NAB League Boys season.
Back on Good Friday, it was Cheltenham 13.11.89 who defeated Cranbourne 11.5.71, in a match that was retrospectively first playing second.
DIVISION 2
A great contest at Skye saw the Bombers fall just short against the Caulfield Bears by seven points.
Although siting slightly behind at every change, the Bombers had more scoring shots than their opponents but just were not as accurate.
“It was a close game for much of the day (we) had our chances to win it, but unfortunately we couldn’t take it,” Skye Coach Luke Martin says.
Chris Smith certainly took his chance for the Bears as he took over the game with five goals whilst Lachie Tanner was terrific on the wing.
Mitch Roberts was Skye’s best with plenty of intercept possessions off half-back and classy ball use.
It was a top of the table clash at Beazley Reserve as Chelsea Heights hosted Doveton Doves in a low-scoring thriller.
Neither side was able to do major damage in front of goal. Despite missing their star recruit Luke Tapscott, Chelsea Heights led right up until the final term, before the Doves stormed home to claim the win by four points.
Jake Ingaliso was named best-on for the Doves whilst Michael Cardnamone added to his big goal tally with two more.
A hard-fought matchup at Highett saw Hampton Park grind out a win away from home which keeps them in touch with the pack ahead of them on the ladder.
With only two points in the game at three-quarter-time, Redbacks skipper Cory Phillips put the team on his back as the team took control in the final term against the breeze.
Hampton Park Coach Nathan Wilson praised his skipper and says Ryan Hillard was clearly the best player on the ground.
“It was so gutsy to kick four goals to one (in the last quarter) and get the result in such an important game - we were really pleased” Wilson said.
Jacob Dusher and Will Bodman were praised for Highett, and also featured in the best players.
A tough day out for Heatherton who struggled to get opportunities to go their way at East Brighton on Saturday.
The Vampires were wasteful in front of goal and could have made the margin much greater as they claimed a 75 to 9 victory over the Tunners.
Kai and Cale Love-Linay both slotted three goals each whilst the ever-reliable Tom Backman was a best-on-ground performer.
East Brighton sit one win clear in the top 5.
DIVISION 3
Black Rock have kept their winning streak alive as they defeated Ashwood at Essex Heights Reserve.
Ashwood fought really hard and were right in the game until the final stages of the final term where Black Rock ended up winning by 18.
Kieran Taig was a big presence in the ruck and led the way in the final quarter and Jets coach Ryan Handley was very complimentary of Jake Anderson’s role on key players.
“We wore them down and capitalised, but don’t sleep on Ashwood, they had some very good players missing and will be a very strong side after the bye,” Handley says.
Unfortunately for the Wood’s, one of those key players will be their star Ryan Carroll who broke his nose in the third quarter and will miss some weeks.
Carrum Patterson Lakes had two great quarters to the scoring end against Murrumbeena, but kicking into the wind in the final term, Murrumbeena scraped over the line by four points.
Rohan Bleeker led from the front with a terrific performance for CPL but he will be disappointed that Murrumbeena kicked five unanswered goals in the final term.
Steve Tolongs booted four goals for the Lions whilst Michael Klonaridis kicked three and was best on ground.
Clayton have claimed their first win of the season over Endeavour Hills on their home turf.
The Clay’s were down at quarter time but set the tone with a terrific second quarter.
Paul Tsoucalas was lethal in front of goal again as he slotted four goals and Phil Kurth was named their best.
Narre South Saints piled on the goals against South Yarra to claim a convincing win.
The Yarras were competitive in the second term but five goals from Mandrez Manu and four from Hayes, Nolan and Sigeti proved to be too much firepower throughout.
DIVISION 4
A remarkable score at Overport Park for the powerful Frankston Dolphins meant it was a very tough day for the Doveton Eagles.
Led by Coach Rich Mathers with a massive bag of 12 goals, the Dolphins piled on a total of 37.32-254 to just 4.3-27 for the Eagles.
Nick Christoforou worked up the ground and still kicked five goals of his own and Andy Mathers was also dominant with three goals from the midfield.
Another big margin for Hallam as they took care of business against Hampton.
Three quarters of dominance saw them keep the Hammers goal-less and lead by 110 points heading into the final change.
Hampton battled it out for pride in the last quarter kicking three goals and outscored the Hawks in the final term.
Five goals from Jack Sharlassian was the highlight for Hallam.
Dandenong were accurate and put on a great score against Moorabbin as they defeated the Roo’s by 75 points.
Phil Muscat was the leading goalkicker with five as the Redlegs sit nicely in the top-5.
Lyndhurst also led all day in a big win over Cerberus.
Leading twelve goals to one at half-time, Cerberus managed to kick four goals in the third term and show some fight.
Jaryd Mcgrath yet again showed his class with seven of the Lightning's 25 goals.
Easily the closest result of the round in Division 4 was South Mornington’s win at home over Lyndale.
Lyndale led by the slightest of margins at half-time before the Tigers moved the ball forward consistently and took control in the third term, but did not fully capitalise in front of goal.
A late fightback by the Puma’s in the last quarter was not enough and South Mornington won by eleven points.
Jack Knox was named best on ground for the Tigers whilst Khaled Kandakji kicked five for Lyndale and was solid all day.
