Round One: Men's Football Review
DIVISION 1
After the covid enforced frustrations of last year, the much-anticipated opening round of the 2022 campaign has seen some wonderful football played.
Division One was highlighted by Dingley’s 26-point win over Cheltenham in a clash between the sides that sat 1-2 on the table when the 2021 season was halted after 12 games.
The Rosella’s were made to pay for poor conversion as Dingley pulled away in the final term, kicking four goals to one to claim a 12.9.81 to 7.13.55 victory.
Goldsmith and Van Unen led the way with three goals a piece for Dingley, whilst Josh Fox played a loan hand up front kicking four of Cheltenham’s seven majors.
With stats relatively even across the board, Dingley’s ability to take 12 marks inside 50 to four was a big factor in the result.
These sides hadn’t played each other since 2019, and there is a good chance they’ll meet again for higher honours.
In other results from Round 1, a 30 posession game from Jason Carosella and five goals from Marc Holt have piloted Cranbourne to a 50-point win over Springvale.
The visitors had a whopping 65 Inside 50’s to 31 in a dominant display, eventually winning 13.19.97 to 7.5.47.
Mordialloc downed East Malvern by five goals in a low scoring game, despite having 13 less entries inside 50.
In the second term, East Malvern generated 18 entries to six but could only muster 1.6 from those chances.
Ryan Santon’s two goal, 28 possession game was pivotal to the result for the visitors.
Meanwhile a 12 goal to one second half from St Paul’s McKinnon has driven them to an 87-point thumping of Bentleigh, led by five goals from Stephen Muller.
James Sziller had 33 disposals and five clearances in a starring role as his team won the stoppages 43-26.
In the final result of the round St.Kilda City defeated the Port Melbourne Colts by 52 points, 17.13.115 to 9.9.63.
Some familiar names in Dane Swan (29 touches) and James Magner (26 disposals and 5 goals) led the way as St.Kilda turned a three point half time deficit into a 52-point win.
Scanlon and Brewer each had 24 disposals for Port Melbourne who were held to just one goal in the second half.
DIVISION 2
Division 2 Southern Football Netball League Round One action was full of highlights and big victories as a number of clubs made huge statements to start 2022.
Doveton overcame a quarter-time deficit, piling on nine second quarter goals as they powered to a 78-point victory over Hampton Park.
The Doves spread the goals around in an even display, with Brodie Howie probably best afield with four goals and a stack of possessions.
Hampton Park's coach Nathan Wilson still found positives as his team looks to gel together with plenty of new faces.
"All credit to Doveton, they were really sharp." Wilson said.
"We had 8 guys playing their first game of senior footy so we'll only improve and we've got a fair bit of experience to come back over the next couple of weeks.
"Aaron Holden and Luke Sloan were terrific down back."
Meanwhile at Turner Road Reserve it was Highett who launched a first quarter blitz on their way to a 71 point win over Heatherton.
The home side led by 40 points at quarter time and kept extending the margin in their first Division 2 hit out.
Four goals from Jack Rennex helped guide East Brighton to a big Round One victory over Skye 14.11.95 to 4.10.34.
Three of Skye's four goals came in the space of 13 minutes in the second quarter as they rallied briefly before the visitors took complete control once again.
The most anticipated match of the round was probably the battle between two of last year's top four, Caulfield and Keysborough.
The clash was an arm wrestle for three quarters before Keysborough pulled away in the last term to win by 28 points.
Caulfield's first half inaccuracy proved costly as they netted 2.7 from nine shots and plenty of Inside 50's.
Coach Chris O'Keefe was full of praise for his opponents.
"We came up against a much better prepared team on the weekend and all credit to Keysborough.
"They were able to capitalise and took the game when it was there to win. We have a lot of improvement to come and hopefully that shows next week." O'Keefe said.
Next week we see Chelsea Heights for the first time as they host Highett on Saturday.
Chelsea finished sixth last season with a 5-7 record before the season was abandoned due to the pandemic.
Coach Josh Bull is looking forward to the challenge of Hampton Park.
"Hampton Park came home strong and snatched the win last time we played so we want to make sure we even the score this time around." he said.
"I'm extremely proud of our players and our footy club for the resilience shown over the last couple of years. We have grown on and off field and we look forward to the 2022 season."
DIVISION 3
Division 3 action in the Southern Football Netball League got underway last weekend with plenty of big results.
We had a mix of blowouts, tight contests and arm wrestles with some sensational individual performances across the round.
Black Rock held off a fast finishing Carrum Patterson Lakes to record a nine-point victory.
The side that ended last season on top of the ladder prior to the season going to exile, have started strongly with Byron Wright's four goals pivotal.
Coach Ryan Handley was pleased with his own side, and full of praise for what his opponents might bring this season.
"They were terrific, it's a big ground and they have wonderful facilities." Handley said.
"It was good to get a really tough away win so early in the season.
"We ran out of legs and were lucky to hang on so it was pretty gutsy."
The Narre South Saints made a big statement in the opening round, by winning their clash with Clayton by 36 points.
These two sides both finished in the top four last season but the Saints took complete control of this match in the second term with seven goals to one.
Steven Sigeti was best on ground with a starring role on the scoreboard and up the ground.
Meanwhile Murrumbeena overcame a quarter-time deficit, charging their way to a commanding 56-point victory over Endeavour Hills.
Having come down from Division 2 last season, Murrumbeena have started their campaign perfectly.
In the round's other result, Ashwood dominated their clash with South Yarra, producing a whopping 155-point win.
Ashwood had 11 individual goalkickers with seven of them kicking multiple.
DIVISION 4
Five matches were played across an action packed first round of the 2022 Southern Football Netball League Division 4 season.
The five results produced an average winning margin of 61 points with blowouts across all bar one match.
The tightest contest was between Moorabbin and Lyndale with the home side overcoming a final quarter deficit to prevail by 20 points.
Matthew Johansson was the star for the Kangaroos with five goals, and he proved to be the difference in the end.
Lyndale coach Chris Egan was positive despite the tough loss.
"Was a good round one hit out and although we lost there was plenty of upsides." he said.
"New players fitted in well and there were some really good signs.
"We just couldn't capitalise during the times we had momentum."
South Mornington started their season impressively with a 51-point win over Hampton at home.
A big second quarter set up the victory for the Tigers in their first match after being demoted to Division 4.
Coach Mick Hawken was delighted with the efforts of his young side.
"Our younger players are adapting all the time and we are learning which is one of our goals this year.
"It was a good effort across the ground from everyone." Hawken said.
A 12-goal second half from Lyndhurst saw them run away with an 85-point win over the Doveton Eagles.
Hamish Browning led the way with six goals for the Lightning as they look to build on last season's second place finish.
In a battle of two sides who ended last season in the top four, it was an absolute blow out between Hallam and Cerberus.
The visitors held Cerberus goalless in an 80-point thumping.
Hallam themselves went goalless in the first quarter before kicking four in the second, third and fourth to record the 12.17.89 to 0.9.9 result.
In the final result of the round the Frankston Dolphins extended their lead at every change as they downed Dandenong by 71-points at Greaves reserve.
Nine goals between Kruse and O'Donnell was crucial to Frankston maintaining momentum throughout the clash.
Dandenong coach Mick Lawrence put the result into perspective for his club.
"The Seniors had 11 new faces and we are still working out how we are playing together." He said.
"We battled well, but we made a few errors which cost us goals and Frankston were very clean and should be the benchmark side."