Round Two: Men's Football Review
Division 1
Round Two results in the Southern Football Netball League’s Division 1 competition saw plenty of statements made as teams sink their teeth in 2022.
Cranbourne’s big victory over St Paul’s McKinnon was possibly the biggest of those statements as the Eagles demolished their opponents to the tune of 77 points.
Marc Holt jagged five and Tyson Barry four as Cranbourne kicked 17 goals in the second and third quarters before closing out the victory 19.18.132 to 7.13.55
In other results Jakob De Winter’s six goal haul has guided Bentleigh to an important 37-point win over East Malvern.
In a clash that was relatively tight throughout, his ability to kick more than half his team’s goals was absolutely crucial.
Bentleigh were able to hold in the third quarter when they gave up 17 inside 50’s whilst having just seven themselves.
The fact both sides kicked two goals for that quarter was important as Bentleigh regrouped and kicked away again.
Nick Wynne led the charge off half back with 31 disposals for the victors, of which 23 were kicks.
Bentleigh coach Peter Pirera paid tribute to his club’s ability to bounce back from a Round One defeat.
“We had to make nine forced changes to the side for this game.” He said.
“A 120-point turnaround is testament to the club’s youth program and depth.”
Mordialloc produced a strong victory over Cheltenham at Ben Kavanagh reserve, converting well from their Inside 50 numbers as they secured back-to-back victories to start the season.
Conversely, Cheltenham now sit at 0-2 ahead of a vital clash with Bentleigh.
Meanwhile, St.Kilda City continued their strong start to the season, leading Springvale Districts at every change on the way to a 41-point win.
De Gois and Rowell each kicked four goals with Dane Swan patrolling the midfield all day as well as pushing forward to hit the scoreboard.
Blair, Feehan and Stockton led the way for Springvale Districts who certainly weren’t disgraced on the day against quality opposition.
In the round’s other result, Dingley became the fourth team to be undefeated after two rounds with a strong 22-point win over the Port Melbourne Colts.
The win was set up with an eight goal third quarter the key move in the game. The home side extended their lead from two points to 44 during that term with Van Unen, Mullen and Farmer combining for 11 goals in total for the day.
Coach Danny Ades was pleased to get the result against quality opposition.
“Lucas Walmsley and Jake Mullen were very impressive as we’re accustomed to seeing.” Ades said.
“The exciting part for us is that whilst we currently have so many players unavailable due to injury and suspension, the group has been engaged in all playing their role, and guys who might not have had this much opportunity game time wise are making the most of it.”
DIVISION 2
Division 2 action in the Southern Football Netball League saw Chelsea Heights make their first appearance after having the bye in the opening round.
They wasted no time getting into the groove, leading at every change on the way to a 31-point victory over Hampton Park.
Bradley Glider was the star, snagging five goals in a best on ground display. Luke Tapscott chimed in with three in the 12.5.77 to 5.16.46 victory, with the home side paying for poor conversion.
Chelsea coach Josh Bull was pleased with their first hit out.
"It was a really hot game from start to finish!" He said.
Both sides attacked the contest all day and I just feel we made more of our opportunities to convert in front of goal. I'm really pleased with our new recruits who all contributed well to our win."
Highett consolidated their position at the top of the table on the back of a strong second half against East Brighton.
Leading by 10 points at the main break, Highett kicked away to record a commanding 40-point win.
Cale and Kai Love-Linay fought hard for East Brighton but it was to no avail as the likes of Barron, Draper and Jackson controlled things for Highett.
Meanwhile, the Caulfield Bears dominated their clash with Heatherton, with the 92-point margin slightly flattering to Heatherton given the Bears missed a number of chances to extend it further.
Backway and Smith each kicked five goals in the big win.
The victory opens their account for the season and gives them a nice percentage boost in the early rounds.
In the final result of the weekend the Doves won impressively over Keysborough, kicking away late after the game was in the balance at three quarter time.
Michael Cardamone was the game breaker, snaring four in a low scoring affair.
Skye sat out Round two with the bye, and they will take on Chelsea Heights this week looking to record their opening win of the season.
DIVISION 3
It may not be cricket season anymore but Murrumbeena headlined Division 3 action by posting a cricket score of their own in a thumping 240 point victory which led the Round two results.
Murrumbeena kicked 9, 8, 11 and 10 goals in each quarter as they powered to a 38.19.247 to 1.1.7 victory over South Yarra.
Steve Tolongs kicked eight and Lucas Cloke six with 14 players in total scoring goals for the visitors.
David Cannizzo scored South Yarra's only goal midway through the second term.
In other results Black Rock dominated their clash with the Narre South Saints kicking 10 goals to zip in the first half before winning by 51 points.
In an even display where everyone contributed, the home side would be thrilled given Narre South had won so impressively in the opening round.
Black Rock coach Ryan Handley could not have been more impressed with his team's first half efforts.
"It was a really impressive performance by us, particularly in the first half." Handley said.
"We got our run and carry game going and we had a good balance both in the air and around the contest.
"We faded a little bit in the second half, but we had set it up early so overall pretty happy."
Meanwhile, Ashwood produced a terrific turnaround to claim a big win over Clayton away from home.
Ashwood went scoreless in the first quarter, trailing by 28 points at the first change. From that stage on they would kick 14 goals to four including seven to zero in the last quarter.
Just as Ashwood went scoreless in the first, Clayton went scoreless in the last in a topsy turvy clash.
Coach Nick Morrey was delighted with the fightback from his team.
"Saturday was a really challenging day for our club with about 5-6 people including our president out with Covid.
"Being 28-0 down at quarter time was obviously not ideal!" He said.
"Clayton were superb and made us look second rate early, but I couldn't be prouder of the response after that.
"We're 2-0 for the first time since 2017 so it's nice. We don't have the money to bring in big players like some of the other clubs in this division so we know that we need to make every training session a winner because it gives us the best chance of competing."
The weekend's tightest clash was between Endeavour Hills and Carrum-Patterson Lakes with Endeavour Hills flying home in the last term only to fall six points short.
The hosts will rue the opening term in which they conceded seven goals to one to trail by 37 points.
They were still 27 points behind at three quarter time but stormed back into the contest before running out of time.
Mitchell Anderson was best afield with four goals for Endeavour Hills, with Steven Vos the standout for Carrum Patterson Lakes.
DIVISION 4
Division 4 results in the Southern Football Netball League saw a mixed bag with two games decided by over 100 points and another decided by less than a kick.
Dandenong and Frankston put on big scores to strengthen their positions in the early rounds whilst one of last year's powerhouses continued to battle.
The round's best match saw Moorabbin hold off a fast finishing Doveton to record a four point victory.
Doveton kicked five unanswered goals in the final term but it wasn't enough with the Kangaroos holding on to remain unbeaten.
Matthew Johansson kicked four goals for Moorabbin whilst Leigh Tannahill kicked five for Doveton.
Dandenong completely controlled their clash with Lyndale, holding them scoreless in the first term before driving home a 107-point win.
Antonio Gonzalez fired again with five majors, with Adam Boag also kicking five. Collard and Sebire were the standouts for Lyndale.
Dandenong coach Mick Lawrence feels the victory is symbolic of the progress his group has made.
"It was a big turnaround by the club from last year as both Lyndale and us were evenly matched." Lawrence said.
"We played a great game and started implementing the game plans we have worked on in the off season."
Dandenong's monster victory still wasn't the biggest of the round with Frankston hammering Cerberus to the tune of 160-points.
The Dolphins came home with an 11 goal last quarter, just falling short of a 200 plus score in a huge win.
Jack Waller led the way with seven goals amongst 11 individuals who hit the scoreboard. Lochlan Caldwell kicked three of his side's four goals in defeat.
Lyndhurst were another of the round's big winners, with a 76-point triumph over Hampton.
Coming off an 85-point win in Round One, the Lightning have started the season magnificently.
Browning and McGrath kicked 11 goals between them as Lyndale was never seriously threatened.
Coach Jae Williams was impressed with his team's ball movement and their ability to break down Hampton's structures.
In the final game of the round, Hallam fought hard to hold off an in form South Mornington team, kicking four goals to one in the last quarter in an 11.9.75 to 7.6.48 victory.
Hallam have only conceded 57 points for the season, ranked number one defensively as they currently sit third on the league ladder with two wins from two.
Coach Lachlan Moss was pleased with his side but feels they still have improvement in them.
"Overall we didn't play that well, it might take a few weeks to fully understand our structures.
"We had some great individual performances, and we did assert midfield dominance.
"Our defensive pressure was quite good despite our vice captain and captain both being out." He said.
"Overall we have some areas of improvement to beat the teams above us, but we will gel going forward and continue to build both on and off the field."
