Sunday Spotlight: Uni Blacks back in form, a Northern Knight has it on a string and Greenvale’s score up in the air

UNIVERSITY Blacks’ VAFA resurgence, conjecture over Greenvale’s final EDFL score and a star turn from Kieran Malone feature in this week’s Sunday Spotlight.

04/05/2001 A Sherrin football. footballs. sport. grass. PUBLISHED 24/08/2001 PAGE 23.

THIS week’s Sunday Spotlight focuses on the resurgence of Victorian Amateur Football Association reigning premier University Blacks, Northern Knights’ jet Kieran Malone’s 52-possession game and a controversial EDFL fixture between Greenvale and Strathmore.

VAFA: UNI BLACKS FORM ROLLS ON

The ladder was fairly bleak reading for reigning Victorian Amateur Football Association premier University Blacks after four rounds. Four consecutive losses to start the campaign would have had new coach Luke O’Connell scratching his head. But the club has turned its form around dramatically in the past four weeks to move close to a top-four berth, winning four games on the trot. On Saturday, Uni Blacks disposed of in-form Old Carey by 103 points.

EDFL: GREENVALE’S SCORED WIPED AND RESTORED

There was drama aplenty during the Essendon District Football League clash between Greenvale and Strathmore. It appears the Jets’ score was wiped after a headcount. The total was later restored and Greenvale recorded a 17.20 (122) to 5.6 (36) triumph. The EDFL released its scores on Saturday night with an asterisk next to the result, as it could revert to a 10-point Jets’ win pending a review. League boss Mark Turri said: “My understanding is a Greenvale player was sent from

Kieran Malone reels in a mark during his awe-inspiring game. Picture: Jason Sammon

the field during the third quarter. It would appear that he was replaced when he shouldn’t have been. Strathmore called a headcount and early reports are they (Greenvale) were found to have too many players on the field.”

TAC CUP: MALONE HAS IT ON A STRING

Remember the name Kieran Malone. As Supercoaches across the country scramble for the best rookie bargains of 2015, Malone announced himself as a potential future Supercoach selection with a whopping 285-point game on Saturday for Northern Knights. Malone gathered 52 possessions, 17 clearances and kicked four goals in his side’s loss to Dandenong Stingrays.

Marc Holt claims a mark against Hampton Park on Saturday. Picture: Jason Sammon.

SEFNL: HOLT HOLDS THE CARDS

Cranbourne champion Marc Holt snagged 13 goals as his side accounted for Hampton Park with ease. The home side led by 26 points at quarter-time and powered away to score a 181-point victory. Holt was electric, slotting three majors in as many minutes late in the opening half and continuing his form in front of goal after the break. Former Frankston coach Simon Goosey has Cranbourne well-placed, sitting fourth after six rounds.

NFL: DOGS ON THE BOARD

North Heidelberg breathed life into its Northern Football League Division 1 campaign with a breakthrough win against Montmorency. The 31-point victory could prove vital as the Dogs fight for survival. The club’s maiden win of the season helped it draw within four points of Montmorency on the ladder. Simon Andrews and Shane Harvey booted six goals apiece in the triumph.

EFL: SYLVIA STILL A DOCKER

The season of ex-AFL cameos continued when Colin Sylvia pulled on the boots for Templestowe in its Eastern Football League clash against Ringwood. Reports suggest the former Fremantle and Melbourne player joined the club for a one-off appearance as a thank you to his manager Tom Petroro. More than 1500 people attended the match and they did not leave disappointed, with Templestowe winning by 52 points.

THE WHISPER: Senior players at Port Melbourne believe Nathan Batsanis would be leading their best and fairest and he did his chances no harm with 40 possessions against North Ballarat.