Weekend Wrap-Ups

Photo courtesy of Kim Aitken 

DIVISION 1 – ROUND 13 WRAP-UP

With Good Will Hunter

Round 13 matches produced some interesting results that have again thrown the finals race wide open.

St Pauls inflicted Dingley’s first loss of 2014 with a 29-point win at Souter Oval. The Doggies held the highly-fancied Dingoes at arm’s length all afternoon, and ruckman Andy Gilbert’s aerial dominance ensured midfielders Mark Marasco and Jarryd Blenkinsop found plenty of the pill. Luke James booted six goals in the upset win, while Luke Walmsley and Jackson Peet were among the best for the vanquished Dingoes.

Chelsea Heights stormed back into the top five after demolishing Cheltenham at Beazley Reserve. The Heighters booted seven second-term majors to erase their quarter time deficit, and cruised home to win by 57 points courtesy of a six-goal-to-one last quarter. Luke Newton dominated in his side’s victory with a five-goal, best-afield performance, while Daniel Vaughan battled tirelessly for the Rosellas.

Bentleigh claimed back-to-back wins for the first time this year, defeating Heatherton by four goals at Ross Street Reserves. In doing so, the Demons snapped a streak of alternating wins and losses that stretched back to round three. Although the Tunners fought back well in the second half, Bentleigh’s early dominance was enough to secure the four points with Demons’ midfield ace Scott Lawry best on ground.

Over at Meade Reserve, St Kilda City defeated Clayton to break a seven-match losing streak. It was a close contest all afternoon before the visitors overran the Clays in the final term, kicking four of the last five goals to get up by 28 points. Andrew Hunter and Paul Kenelley were the stars for the Saints, finishing with five majors between them.

In the last game of the round an impressive East Brighton outfit took the chocolates over finals-aspirant East Malvern at Hurlingham Park. The Vampires led comfortably at every change and despite some yips in front of goal, still ran out 69-point victors. Peter Larsen racked up a stack of possessions for the winners, while teammates Sam Jeffrey and Tom Backman also made solid contributions.

 

DIVISION 2 – ROUND 13 WRAP-UP

With Jason Barbin

Round 13 was full of surprises as the race for the finals really heats up.

Hampton moved back into the finals foray with a convincing win against Springvale Districts at home. Hampton dominated early but were unable to put Springvale away, with both sides kicking 4 first half goals. In the second half it was a different story. The Hammers were able to put the score on the board, kicking 10 second half goals to win by 30 points. Chris Worner led from the front kicking 6 majors.

Caulfield produced the first upset of round 13 with a tight victory against Oakleigh District. Though the Bears led at every change, they were never able to shake off Oakleigh and even though they outscored the bears in the second half, Oakleigh were unable to steal the victory. Jason Twirdy was among the best for Caulfield kicking two goals.

Murrumbeena kept themselves in touch with the top 5 with a strong performance against Highett. A touch of class returned to the Murrumbeena midfield as they led at every change, recording a 15 point victory, despite another final quarter comeback attempt from Highett. Chris Evans was best on ground for Murrumbeena.

Mordialloc won their 8th game in a row with a resounding performance against Moorabbin. The Bloods were back to their high scoring best, kicking 22 goals in a fast paced game that saw 9 different players kicking a major. Even without power forward James Morris, the Mordialloc forward worked like a well-oiled machine and the midfield was as classy as ever. Todd Bastion and Daniel Lynch were best on ground kicking 10 goals between them.

Skye won their 5th game in a row with another commanding performance against Doveton that featured both offensive and defensive highlights. Inaccurate kicking hides how dominate Skye were in amassing an astonishing 31 scoring shots to 10. Skye were also able to apply intense pressure throughout the entire game restricting Doveton to only 3 goals for the game. Andrew Hook was among the best for the Bombers.

 

DIVISION 3 – ROUND 14 WRAP-UP

With Andrew Paloczi

Most of the matches in multicultural round ended with sizeable wins to the favourites, but there was an upset.

Lyndale was favoured to continue its recent good form in a visit to South Yarra’s home ground, but by quarter time the signs were ominous. The Lions skipped out to a 26-point lead with five goals to none for the term. The Pumas were still in the game at half time, but were outscored ten goals to three after this, losing by 63 points. It was a noteworthy team effort by the Lions with ten goal scorers, and Daniel Borg and Jordy Cellini were best for the victors.

Mount Waverley was an inhospitable host for Sandown. The day was already getting uncomfortable for the Cobras by the long break with the Mountain Lions 32 points in front. By the final siren, the Cobras found themselves on the end of a 102-point hiding. For the winners, James Gough added seven more majors to his imposing total, taking him to 74 for the season. He is in with a great chance to bring up a century.

Carrum Patterson Lakes was ruthless, beating a hapless Endeavour Hills by 101 points at Barry Simon Reserve. Trevor March was in scintillating form for CPL, kicking nine goals in a best on ground performance; this was two more than the Falcons managed. Doug Watterson was among the Lions’ best players with five goals.

Dandenong gave its supporters some encouragement, staying with Black Rock in the first half. The Redlegs started the third quarter trailing by only five points, but as has often been the case this season, found themselves becalmed. It was the eighth time this year that Dandenong failed to score during a quarter. Despite a more competitive final term, the damage was done and the Jets went on to win by 32 points. Cory Durie was their best player.

Ashwood was too strong for the visiting Hallam, controlling the game and winning by 43 points. Josh Stanton contributed four of the Magpies’ goals and Jacob Barker put through three for them. Their best player was Jarryd Uren. Brandon Nolan can hold his head high after booting five of the defeated Hawks’ seven goals.

 

UNDER 19s – ROUND 13 WRAP-UP

With Josh Schonafinger

Chelsea Heights nearly pulled off the comeback of the season against Cheltenham last weekend. Seemingly down and out and goalless at half time, the Heighters rallied to kick five goals to one in the second half - the Rosellas put up just enough resistance however, and held on by eight points. Jax Kilner helping the Rosellas hold on.

Hampton won a close one against Highett and in the process move off the bottom of the ladder. Inaccurate kicking cost the Dogs but they refused to give in, despite being five goals down at the last break. But, when the final siren sounded, the Hammers won it by an even two goals thanks to great games from Luke Tempany and Cameron Lee.

Another cracker took place at Kananook Oval as Bentleigh came from behind to knock off Skye. The Bombers were as close as any team had been to beating the Dees so far this season, but even a two goal lead at three quarter time wasn’t enough to stop the fast-finishing Dees. Bentleigh won by 11 points and Spencer Daly was again influential.

St Pauls dealt Dingley’s hopes for a top two spot a blow by upsetting the Dingoes by seven points. The Doggies stormed home in the last quarter with five goals and the win all but guarantees them a spot in the top five come season end. Zachary Spencer continues his goal kicking form with another 3 for the victors.

The only blowout of a closely-fought round was Clayton thumping Carrum Patterson Lakes by 90 points. The Clays produced one of their most even performances for the season and kicked 20 goals to CPL’s six. Dan Distetano led the way for the Clays with 4 majors while Alex Bollen battled hard all game for Carrum.

 

THIRDS – ROUND 13 WRAP-UP

With Josh Schonafinger

Skye were flying high last weekend as the Doveton Eagles had their wings clipped in a 195 point thumping. Doveton didn’t hit the scoreboard for the entire contest, while at the other end Michael Kalviskis booted nine goals for the Bombers to top off their dominating display.

Clayton had no issues overcoming Hallam, extending their lead at every break before eventually winning by 94 points at home. Luke Romanelli kicked six of the Clays’ 17 goals. The big win keeps the Clays’ finals aspirations alive. Andrew Watson worked hard all game for the Hawks.

South Yarra had an impressive win over Cheltenham, in a positive sign of progress. The Lions dominated the entire match, and won by 51 points, which could’ve been more, if not for their inaccuracy in front of goal. Josh West was one Lion who had his kicking boots on, finishing with 6 majors for the day.

Black Rock had a comfortable win over Dandenong, The Redlegs couldn’t find any momentum, and although kicked a goal in each quarter, couldn’t build on that, going down by 69 points. Bradley Nopper was the highlight of the day with 5 goals for Black Rock.

Mount Waverley remain in a good spot thanks to a 55 point win over Sandown last weekend. Joel Wickman and Matt Jewell were excellent as the Mountain Lions look towards finals.

In other matches on the weekend, Dingley defeated Moorabbin via a forfeit and Endeavour Hills beat Cerberus, perhaps proving that the competition is closer than first thought.