Round 9 Review

With only Division 2, 3 and 4 of the SFNL Men’s competition in action this week, the fixture list was lighter than usual, but there was still plenty to read into. From statement wins and ladder-shaping results to key goalkicking performances, the weekend offered a strong glimpse at which sides are building momentum as the season continues to take shape.

Division 2

Caulfield Bears Seniors 13.16 (94) def by Frankston Dolphins Seniors 15.9 (99)

Frankston Dolphins survived the closest Division 2 contest of the round, holding off Caulfield Bears by five points at Koornang Park.

Caulfield trailed by four points at quarter-time, 18 at half-time and 19 at the final change, but kept coming late to turn the game into a genuine arm wrestle. The Bears finished with 13.16, giving themselves plenty of chances, but Frankston’s 15.9 proved just enough to secure an important win.

The result keeps Frankston in fourth position at 6-3, four games clear of the chasing pack, while Caulfield remain in the bottom three despite a competitive performance.

Michael Casey was a standout for Caulfield with four goals, while Kohen Beaumont kicked two. For Frankston, Damien Rayson, Bailey Smith, Kaden Bassett and Taylor Stratton all kicked two goals in a spread of contributors.

East Brighton Seniors 8.4 (52) def by Chelsea Heights Seniors 19.13 (127)

Chelsea Heights kept their season moving with a convincing 75-point win over East Brighton at Hurlingham Park.

The visitors broke the game open in the second term, turning a nine-point quarter-time lead into a 37-point advantage by half-time. Chelsea Heights then piled on another eight goals in the third quarter to take full control, reaching 19.13 by the final siren.

The win moves Chelsea Heights to 4-5, level on points with Hampton and Doveton Doves in the middle section of the ladder. For East Brighton, it was another difficult result, leaving them at 1-8 and still searching for consistency.

Jack Alnwick led the way in front of goal for Chelsea Heights with four majors, while Luke Clark, Luke Smith and Zac Vaughan each kicked three. Jayden Kealey and Caiden Perla-Dowdell kicked two goals each for East Brighton.

Hampton Seniors 4.7 (31) def by East Malvern Seniors 14.15 (99)

East Malvern remain the main challenger to Mordialloc after a powerful 68-point win over Hampton.

Hampton stayed within reach early, trailing by 14 points at quarter-time and the same margin at the main break. But East Malvern completely took over after half-time, kicking 9.6 to 0.0 in the third quarter to turn a contest into a one-sided result.

The win keeps East Malvern second at 8-1, one game behind Mordialloc and still clear of Highett in third. Hampton remain at 4-5, sitting sixth on percentage in a crowded mid-table group.

Tate Short was the key attacking figure for East Malvern, kicking five goals, while Benjamin Salmon and Isaac Morrissby added two each. Hampton’s goals were shared between Leo Grenville, Sam Poort, Ned Hogan and Daniel Jones.

Keysborough Seniors 4.2 (26) def by Mordialloc Seniors 23.15 (153)

Mordialloc continued their unbeaten start with a dominant 127-point win over Keysborough at Rowley Allen Reserve.

The ladder leaders were in control from the opening term, leading 33-6 at quarter-time before extending the margin to 52 points by half-time. A huge third quarter put the result beyond doubt, with Mordialloc piling on 11.7 for the term to lead 132-7 at the final change.

The win keeps Mordialloc clear on top at 9-0, with a strong percentage and a perfect record through the opening nine rounds. Keysborough remain at 1-8 and sit ninth, ahead of East Brighton on percentage.

For Keysborough, Reef White kicked two goals, while Max Corbyn and Callum Beaumont also hit the scoreboard.

Highett Seniors 23.19 (157) def Doveton Doves Seniors 5.7 (37)

Highett produced one of the strongest performances of the round, defeating Doveton Doves by 120 points at Highett Reserve.

The home side started quickly, leading 29-11 at quarter-time, before a dominant second term pushed the margin out to 47 points by the main break. Highett kept their foot down after half-time, adding another 13 goals to finish with 23.19.

The result keeps Highett third at 7-2, one game behind East Malvern and still firmly placed in the top-three race. Doveton Doves remain at 4-5, still level on points with Chelsea Heights and Hampton but with percentage now a concern.

Archie Girikis kicked five goals for Highett, while Sam Jackson added four. Rhys Wilkinson kicked three, with Jacob Apted, Max Jackson and a private player each kicking two. For Doveton, Daniel Zajac and Nikolas Hibbert kicked two goals each.

Top goalkickers of the round

Archie Girikis - Highett Seniors - 5 goals
Tate Short - East Malvern Seniors - 5 goals
Michael Casey - Caulfield Bears Seniors - 4 goals
Jack Alnwick - Chelsea Heights Seniors - 4 goals
Sam Jackson - Highett Seniors - 4 goals

Division 3

Skye Seniors 13.3 (81) def Lyndhurst Seniors 11.10 (76)

Skye held on in a thriller at Carrum Downs Recreation Reserve, defeating Lyndhurst by five points in the closest Division 3 match of the round.

Lyndhurst led by 16 points at half-time and still held a one-point advantage at the final change, but Skye finished strongly to steal the result late. The final quarter went right down to the wire, with Bradley Dyer kicking the final goal of the game to put Skye ahead 81-76.

The win moves Skye to 5-4, level on points with Carrum Patterson Lakes and Berwick Springs in a congested middle section of the ladder. Lyndhurst remain eighth at 3-6 after a competitive showing that fell just short.

Caden Cleary kicked three goals for Skye, while Aaron Philp, Nathan McConville and Bradley Dyer each kicked two. Noah East kicked three for Lyndhurst, with Thando Gazi and Cooper Naylor adding two each.

South Mornington Seniors 8.7 (55) def by Endeavour Hills Seniors 14.18 (102)

Endeavour Hills kept themselves within reach of the middle pack with a 47-point win over South Mornington at Citation Oval.

South Mornington started well, leading 28-20 at quarter-time, but Endeavour Hills responded strongly in the second term to take a 16-point lead into the main break. From there, the visitors continued to build, extending the margin to 35 points at three-quarter time before finishing with 14.18.

The win moves Endeavour Hills to 4-5, one game behind the trio of Carrum Patterson Lakes, Berwick Springs and Skye. South Mornington remain ninth at 2-7.

Jarrod Marolla was the leading goalkicker for Endeavour Hills with three majors, while Joel Nelthropp kicked two. Connor McIntosh and Travis French kicked two each for South Mornington.

Black Rock Seniors 27.15 (177) def Berwick Springs Seniors 14.9 (93)

Black Rock produced the biggest score of the Division 3 round, defeating Berwick Springs by 84 points at Donald McDonald Reserve.

The Jets came out firing, kicking 8.3 in the opening term to lead by 25 points at quarter-time. They extended that to 67 points by half-time and, while Berwick Springs continued to hit the scoreboard, Black Rock’s attacking power proved far too much across four quarters.

The win keeps Black Rock second at 7-2, still within striking distance of ladder leader Heatherton. Berwick Springs remain in the finals mix at 5-4, sitting fifth on percentage.

Aaron Cloke and Jack Gibson were dominant inside forward 50, kicking five goals each for Black Rock, while Ned Fallon added four and Ryan Gavin kicked three. Ty Ellison kicked five for Berwick Springs, with Hayden Stagg adding three.

St Kilda City Seniors 15.11 (101) def Hallam Seniors 7.3 (45)

St Kilda City strengthened their hold on third position with a 56-point win over Hallam at Peanut Farm Reserve.

The Saints led by eight points at quarter-time and opened the game up in the second term, taking a 22-point advantage into half-time. A dominant third quarter then put the result beyond doubt, with St Kilda City kicking 6.2 to 2.0 for the term.

The result moves St Kilda City to 6-3, one game behind Black Rock and a game clear of the chasing pack. Hallam remain winless at 0-9, despite staying competitive through patches of the first half.

Lachlan Harris and Ethan Whish-Wilson both kicked four goals for St Kilda City, while Thomas Sargent and Jack Daff added two each.

Carrum Patterson Lakes Seniors 12.11 (83) def by Heatherton Seniors 15.14 (104)

Heatherton maintained top spot on the Division 3 ladder with a 21-point win over Carrum Patterson Lakes at Roy Dore Reserve.

The ladder leaders started strongly, leading 32-14 at quarter-time and 66-40 at half-time. Carrum Patterson Lakes continued to challenge and cut the margin to 28 points at the final change, but Heatherton had enough control to finish the job and move to 8-1.

The win keeps Heatherton four points clear on top, while Carrum Patterson Lakes remain fourth at 5-4, narrowly ahead of Berwick Springs and Skye on percentage.

Joel Cusack continued his strong season with six goals for Heatherton, while Callum Cusack, Alistair Abernethy and Callum Beattie Powell each kicked two. Mathew Baxter was the standout forward for Carrum Patterson Lakes with five goals, while Connor Vincent added two.

Top goalkickers of the round

Joel Cusack - Heatherton Seniors - 6 goals
Aaron Cloke - Black Rock Seniors - 5 goals
Jack Gibson - Black Rock Seniors - 5 goals
Ty Ellison - Berwick Springs Seniors - 5 goals
Mathew Baxter - Carrum Patterson Lakes Seniors - 5 goals

Division 4

Dandenong West Seniors 19.15 (129) def Narre South Saints Seniors 2.4 (16)

Dandenong West moved to the top of the Division 4 ladder on percentage with a commanding 113-point win over Narre South Saints at Greaves Reserve.

The home side controlled the game from the outset, holding Narre South to one behind in the opening quarter and just three points by half-time. Dandenong West led 66-3 at the main break and continued to build after half-time, finishing with 19.15 in another strong attacking display.

The result moves Dandenong West to 8-1, level on points with St John’s OC but ahead on percentage. Narre South remain fifth at 4-4-1.

Coren Giliam led the way with six goals, while Michael Dolan kicked four and Harry Lees added three. Jamie Nguyen, Roy Goldsmith, Remmi Faulkner-Wood, Joseph Halliwell and Dakota De Santis also hit the scoreboard.

Clayton Seniors 19.9 (123) def Moorabbin Kangaroos Seniors 12.8 (80)

Clayton kept their place inside the top four with a 43-point win over Moorabbin Kangaroos at Meade Reserve.

Moorabbin stayed close early, trailing by just three points at quarter-time and 14 points at the main break, but Clayton took control in the third term. The home side kicked 8.1 for the quarter to open up a 51-point lead at the final change, putting the result beyond doubt.

The win keeps Clayton fourth at 5-4, one game behind Ashwood. Moorabbin remain eighth at 1-8, despite producing one of their better attacking returns of the season.

Jackson Pasara kicked four goals for Clayton, while Caleb Dornan finished with three. Bailey Kennedy, Sean Power, Brayden Hunt and Zak Knight each kicked two. For Moorabbin, Benjamin Marron and Nicholas Lowrie both kicked four goals.

Doveton Eagles Seniors 6.4 (40) def by Ashwood Seniors 18.17 (125)

Ashwood strengthened their grip on third spot with an 85-point win over Doveton Eagles at Power Reserve.

The visitors started quickly, leading 29-1 at quarter-time before extending the margin to 62 points by half-time. Doveton found more scoreboard impact after the main break, but Ashwood had already done the damage and finished with 18.17.

The result moves Ashwood to 6-3 and keeps them clear in third, while Doveton Eagles remain seventh at 1-8.

Andrew Kaldawi was the standout forward for Ashwood with six goals, while Cameron Healy and Jaylen Gorey kicked three each. Maximus Sykes added two. For Doveton, Leigh Tannahill kicked two goals, with Lachlan O’Beirne, Jack Salan, Anthony Brown and Mitchell Saly also scoring majors.

St John’s OC Seniors 9.11 (65) drew Lyndale Seniors 10.5 (65)

St John’s OC kept their unbeaten record alive in remarkable fashion, fighting back from 34 points down at quarter-time to draw with Lyndale at Thomas Carroll Reserve.

Lyndale stunned the home side early, kicking 7.1 in the opening term to lead 43-9 at the first change. They still held a 31-point lead at half-time and were 26 points up at three-quarter time, but St John’s came hard in the final term.

Goals to Callum Houghton, Joshua Mourant, Timothy Edwards and Harvey Emery dragged St John’s back into the contest, before Emery’s late goal brought the margin back to one point. A final behind then levelled the scores at 65 apiece.

The draw leaves St John’s second at 7-0-2, still unbeaten but now behind Dandenong West on percentage. Lyndale remain sixth at 2-6-1, but will take plenty from pushing one of the division’s top sides all the way.

Harvey Emery kicked three goals for St John’s, while Timothy Edwards added two. For Lyndale, Mitchell Gibson and Ahmed Kandakji both kicked four goals, with Brett Tosh adding two.

Top goalkickers of the round

Coren Giliam - Dandenong West Seniors - 6 goals
Andrew Kaldawi - Ashwood Seniors - 6 goals
Michael Dolan - Dandenong West Seniors - 4 goals
Jackson Pasara - Clayton Seniors - 4 goals
Benjamin Marron - Moorabbin Kangaroos Seniors - 4 goals
Nicholas Lowrie - Moorabbin Kangaroos Seniors - 4 goals
Mitchell Gibson - Lyndale Seniors - 4 goals
Ahmed Kandakji - Lyndale Seniors - 4 goals