Eastern league: South Croydon beats Rowville to continue finals push

South Croydon’s turnaround continues as the Bulldogs upset fourth-placed Rowville, transforming their disastrous 0-5 start into genuine finals hope with growing team belief in Eastern league’s Premier Division.

South Croydon's James Wilsen. Picture: Leesa Clarkson

South Croydon is chipping away at an unlikely finals bid.

The Bulldogs, who were teetering after a 0-5 start to the season, upset fourth-placed Rowville 10.11 (71) to 8.10 (58) on Saturday to improve their record to 5-8.

The Dogs have growing belief.

“It’s an even comp,” South Croydon coach Brendan Allen said.

“The way the ladder’s looking if we can pinch another win then it’s back on.”

South Croydon, though, looks like being without full-forward Jim Wilsen after he suffered a broken nose in the final two minutes of Saturday’s win.

Rowville defender Cooper MacDonald tried to spoil the ball and accidentally got him across the face.

MacDonald broke his hand in the incident.

“It was all a bit of a nasty way to finish the day with two minutes to go,” Allen said.

“There was no malice, it was one of those footy incidents.”

South Croydon coach Brendan Allen. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Tom Sheridan was named best-afield for South Croydon after slotting 4.4 and marking everything that came his way.

The Bulldogs did it without key men Liam Shiels and Connor Smith (back to the VFL).

But others stood up as South Crodyon rushed to a 21-7 lead at quarter time and then kept Rowville at arm’s length.

Sam Wicks shone and Matthew Aldous down back took a lot of intercept marks on Maverick Taylor, who was a danger player given he slotted six against the Bulldogs in Round 4.

Aldous also provided plenty of rebound from defence.

A strong wind blew at Rowville but South Croydon used the conditions to its advantage. The Dogs are wind specialists; they beat Mitcham in gale force winds to open their winning account in Round 6.

“We utilised the win early,’’ Allen said.

“Then in the second quarter we defended well, I think they kicked 1.6, but a lot of their shots were out wide. It was our pressure and contest that really got it done for us. They are the number one offensive team in the comp, possessions, scoring…

“We managed to shut them down in and around the contest and then got them going the other way.’’

South Croydon hosts 10-3 Balwyn next Saturday in what Allen labels a “massive’’ game.

“We had a pretty bad start to the season being zero and five, not a great way to get things started,’’ he said.

“The comp’s that even that a lot of teams around each other are beating each other. If you are two or three percent off you’ll get done, so you’ve got to show up every week.’’

Josh Fox flies for a grab for East Ringwood. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Also on Saturday, Josh Fox kicked another five goals as East Ringwood powered away from Doncaster East in the last quarter to win 10.5 (65) to 4.9 (33) at Zerbes Reserve. Like salt and pepper, Connor Weightman was in everything for the Roos.

Former Brisbane Lions mid-forward Toby Wooller slotted four goals as Blackburn overcame Vermont 14.20 (104) to 5.12 (40), with ex-North Melbourne VFL co-captain Kade Answerth best-afield.

Bowen Smith, Josh Walker (four goals) and Jack Tillig (two goals) had a big say in Balwyn’s 12.15 (87) to 6.14 (50) success over Berwick, and Noble Park defeated bottom team Mitcham 15.12 (102) to 6.9 (45). Vice-captain Lachlan McDonnell gave a dominating performance for the Bulls, who had ex-AFL man Brad Crouch in their side.