The closest game of the Round in Division 1 was thriller at JL Murphy Reserve where Cheltenham held on against Port Melbourne Colts.
Not much could split the two all day as neither side was able to get ahead on the scoreboard by a comfortable amount.
Cheltenham managed to get ahead early on thanks to three goals from Luke Garnaut on the end of some classic Cheltenham controlled ball movement.
Cheltenham Coach Des Ryan was complementary of the Colts on their home deck.
“It was a tough contested game at Port Colts, (Stephen) Brewer was very good, as well as Max Mitchell-Russell,” Ryan says.
Jack Worrell led the way for the Rosella’s with a best-on-ground performance to ensure they stay within the top-three.
A day out for big Ty Vickery guided Springvale Districts to a win over East Malvern at Springvale Reserve.
Vickery kicked six goals and four behinds to go along with 12 marks and 21 disposals in a dominant display.
The Districts led the inside-50 count each quarter and controlled the possession, but the Panthers kept the game within an arm's reach for most of the contest.
Matt Thompson was named best on ground for Springvale Districts with three goals whilst Matt Tighello led the game’s disposal count with 24 and was named East Malvern’s best.
St Paul's McKinnon jumped their opponents St Kilda City on the ladder with a 39 point win at the Peanut Farm.
Steve Muller showed no signs of slowing down for the Doggies as they used the spearhead as a focal point up forward all day including a big third quarter.
He took five big contested marks and finished with seven goals on the scoresheet for the day.
The hardworking midfielders of O’Brien and Kreymborg had 31 and 26 disposals respectively. Kreymborg again was damaging in attack with three goals.
For St Kilda City, Luke Potts had another case of leather poisoning with 38 disposals and Aaron Edwards kicked five.
Dingley made a statement at The Dingo Den on Saturday with a big 85-point win over Bentleigh.
The injury-depleted Demons were no match for the reigning premiers who led at every change with Lucas Walmsley racking up a game-high number of disposals yet again.
Dan Farmer easily had his best performance of the year with seven goals whilst star recruit Tim McGenniss was lethal off half-back despite only just returning from a serious injury.
For Bentleigh, they were impressed with young Luke Nunn down back and listed him as their best player.
Cranbourne welcomed Casey Demons VFL star Mitch White to the club with a huge win over Mordialloc.
White kicked six goals and dominated with ball in hand as he brought an extra level of class to Livingston Reserve.
The Eagles were strong all day, as they kept the Bloods goal-less in the first term and just five for the match.
Jake Stephens was again superb and was named their best and Dylan Gregson battled hard down back for Mordialloc.
DIVISION 2
A great weekend of footy in Division 2 including a draw in the massive game between Hampton Park and East Brighton.
Coach Nathan Wilson was disappointed to give up the lead that they worked so hard for but was complimentary of the Vampires.
“We did so much right for the first three quarters to have total control of the game. Full credit to East Brighton, they dominated the last quarter and we couldn’t stop their momentum. We’ll take lots away from the game, good and bad.” Wilson says.
Kyle Hendy was at his dominant best for the Redbacks taking 'speccys' and finishing with five goals.
In defence, Jackson Philpin was great all afternoon.
The Vamps continue to get outstanding performances from the Love-Linay brothers with Kai kicking four goals and looking great.
Blake Cochrane was best-on in the eyes of both teams and was terrific all day.
Also a thriller in Division 2 was the Caulfield Bears grinding out a four-point win against Highett.
A strong second quarter from the Bears gave them the edge heading into the long break which they were able to hold onto in the second half which was neck-and-neck.
Clayton Hodgson was again superb for the Bears whilst Will Bodman claimed best on for Highett for the second consecutive week.
Another big win for the Doveton Doves puts them in the driver's seat as they defended their home ground against Skye on Saturday.
Cameron Williamson came in for his first game in the seniors for the season, and was outstanding with four goals in a best on ground performance.
The Doves shared the goals around with six multiple goal kickers to have them in control of the contest all game.
Doveton still remain undefeated on top of the Division 2 ladder.
Keysborough could not quite hold on against Chelsea Heights as they lost the important fixture by 17 points.
After keeping the Heighters goal-less in the first term, Keysborough kept the game very tight for the first three quarters of football.
But Chelsea Heights controlled the final term to grind out the win.
Usual suspects Macpherson, Peryman and Tapscott were named the three best on ground for Chelsea Heights and showed their class away from home.
Geoffrey Humphries notched up another best-on performance for the Burras.
DIVISION 3
Easily the highlight of the weekend in the SFNL was to see South Yarra completely turn their season around with a win over Clayton at Leigh Park.
The game was a goal fest but remained tight throughout the contest.
South Yarra led at every change but the Clays fought back hard in the final term as they kicked five goals to the Yarras’ two.
Callum Bradley was the hero with a bag of six goals and also collected best on ground honours.
The Yarras had kicked 17 goals total for the season before this weekend, and managed to beat that in just one game and kick 18 for their first win of the season.
A huge win for the club with smiles all around at the Yarras.
An absolute thriller at Roy Dore Reserve is likely to be Carrum Patterson Lakes best win since moving up into Division 3, and one of the best since re-forming as a club in the SFNL.
Down by almost five goals at three-quarter-time, CPL fought back with a huge final term. The Lions kicked eight goals to claw over the line by just one point to knock off Narre South Saints and sit above them on the ladder.
Big man Rory Gregg led the accurate Lions with five goals and Jack Carcmichael was named their best player.
Number 75 Steve Sigeti slotted three goals for the Saints and was their best on ground.
Murrumbeena claimed top spot on Saturday with a hard fought win against Black Rock.
The top of the table clash saw Black Rock playing catch up after a hot start from Murrumbeena left the Jets goal-less at quarter time.
Coach of Black Rock Ryan Handley says just did not make the most of their chances early and gave credit to Murrumbeena who capitalised with the momentum.
“They looked dangerous when speed was on the ball on the outside, Murrumbeena were the better side on the day and deserve to be flag favourites,” Handley says.
Jake Semmel was out in force and credited for his ability to win contested ball, and Steve Tolongs finished off the hard work with five goals.
Ashwood missed an opportunity to stay in touch with the top four with a loss to Endeavour Hills.
Despite facing some key injuries, Woods’ Coach Nick Morrey was disappointed with his side's efforts after halftime.
“We were pretty disappointed, we’re without a few of our better players but we need a lift across the board,” Morrey says.
With credit to the Falcons, they won the midfield battle and had a terrific second half to run out winners on the day and ensure they did not fall away from the pack in Division 3.
Nick Gay was dominant throughout and Morrey believes he is easily a top 5 player in the competition - whilst Sean Van Velson was named best on ground.
DIVISION 4
The Dandenong Redlegs keep on kicking on and sit in the top-4 after a big win over the Doveton Eagles.
The Redlegs led all day with a high number of scoring chances and had ten individual goal kickers.
Ashton Brunning was named their best on ground for a great performance all day.
Another big win for the Frankston Dolphins was this time at the hands of the Hampton Hammers.
The highlight of the day was the massive amount of goals from the Dolphins key position players up forward.
Coach Rich Mathers continued his hot run of form with seven goals. Whilst Liam O’Donnell out-did him this week with a bag of ten.
A great result of Moorabbin to claim a win over Cerberus.
With a ten goal first quarter setting up a dominant display, the Kangaroos piled on 29 for the day.
Matt Johansson was the leader of the pack as he slotted nine goals with Josh Kyle adding five.
A tough day out for Cerberus but will look to bounce back next week at the Navy Base.
Lyndhurst claimed another strong finish at home despite a gallant South Mornington putting in a good fight.
The Tigers started competitive in the first term with Jordan Waite kicking two goals.
But it was all the Lightning after that as Lyndhurst kept them goal-less.
Lachlan Byers was again best on ground for Lyndhurst.
A big win on Saturday for Hallam as they travelled to Lyndale.
Lyndale had the lead at quarter time before Hallam shifted to a new gear and took control for the remaining three quarters.
The Hawks kicked 20 goals to the Pumas 4 in the remaining three quarters.
