SFNL Division 3 Round 1 Review

Ashwood have opened their season with a devastating demolition job over Doveton, 22.19-151 to 3.7-25, the Magpies running rings around the Eagles to notch up a monster 126 point win in a one-sided affair. The home side set the tone early with 15 scoring shots to nil in the first term but some wayward kicking reduced the damage with the Magpies kicking 11 behinds for the quarter.

They managed to correct their inaccuracy after the quarter time huddle, booting 18.8 for the final three terms to show no mercy to the visitors. Jack Purcell the obvious standout with a 12 goal haul for the victors but Alex Davies and Liam Harrington were superb too.

It was a tough initiation for rookie Doveton playing coach Josh Johns, but he put in a spirited effort for his side along with Matt Carter and Hamish Williams.

South Yarra were given a rude welcome on their return to Division 3, going down to Black Rock by a whopping 179 points in an awfully uncompetitive spectacle.

Already holding a triple figure lead at the last change, if anything the Jets put their foot down even harder ramming through 12 final quarter goals to utterly demoralise the home side.

The final score 33.13-211 to 4.8-32 a sorry tale for the Yarras. Ned Fallon was dominant with six goals for the visitors and was well supported by Ryan Handley and Michael Spohn.

The theme of thrashings continued over at Meade Reserve with Clayton welcoming South Mornington to the league with a massive victory, 29.15-189 to 7.4-46. The Clays were clinical in the first term, slamming through ten majors to stamp their authority on the contest.

The visitors fought back to win the second quarter but couldn’t keep up with the home side when they ramped it up. Glenn Tuckwell finished with seven majors and Josh Winfield also found the middle of the big sticks on five occasions.

The final match of the round saw a much tighter affair, as league newcomers Narre South knocked off Endeavour Hills 10.5-65 to 6.12-48 in a stunning maiden performance. It was an absorbing first half with both sides going toe to toe in a low scoring tussle.

The game opened up after half time, with the Saints kicking five goals to two to gain the upper hand with one quarter to play. But the Falcons did all the attacking in the final stanza, producing five scoring shots to one. Unfortunately for the home side a return of five behinds wasn’t good enough and they were left to rue their missed opportunities.

Brandon Nolan was key to the victory for Narre South with four goals while Stephen Richards-Gill and Nathan Brewster were also key cogs in the Saints machine.

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