SFNL: Chelsea Heights recorded its first Division 1 victory of 2023

Chelsea Heights coach Nathan Robinson has spoken about his side’s Division 1 plan after they claimed their first win on the weekend.

The plan was to get in and stay in.

After falling out in 2018, Chelsea Heights had a vision to get back into Southern’s Division 1 and stay there.

And that plan – half finished after the Demons’ 2022 Division 2 flag – made further inroads on Saturday with Nathan Robinson’s men running over the top of St Kilda City, 14.19 (103) to 11.3 (69).

The Demons won the Division 2 flag in 2017 and fell straight back down after just two wins in the top-flight in 2018.

After Saturday’s win, Robinson said the club outlined a minimum expectation of staying in the competition but he himself has left the ceiling uncapped.

“The first thing – the main objective of the footy club – is to stay in Division 1,” he said.

“I think we well and truly are (a Division 1 club) and that’s the first goal, we want to be a club that has continued and sustained success for a long time.

“From there the envelope is open; I suppose we have kicked our heels a bit in the first couple of games, with the openness of Division 1 I haven’t set any predetermined goals on the group.

“I want them to enjoy it because I think with a high enjoyment level comes good footy and I think that turned (that around) on Saturday.”

Matthew Wilson kicks long. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The Demons – who led 5.11 to 6.1 at halftime – could’ve been much further ahead at the main break.

And while Robinson was pleased to see his two key forwards finally together inside 50, he felt the group’s goalkicking as a collective has held them back at times this year.

“Our biggest Achilles heel at the moment is our inability to convert from (our) time in forward half,” he said.

“If we kick accurately it’s probably a far bigger margin at the end of the day but credit to St Kilda City, they forced us to take shots on goal that were rushed and under pressure.

“It was good to finally convert a few in the second half that we didn’t in the first half.

“He (Tim Brook) kicked 6.4 in the end, so he could’ve kicked 10 and a couple were sodas if I am honest.

“It was the first time we have had him and Brad Gilder playing in the forward line and we have tried to rob Peter to pay Paul in our first few games because we haven’t had those key forwards there.

“Obviously Tim got on the end of a few more goals but the forward half just structured up a lot better – it looked like we were mobile and able to kick a score.

“Apart from probably Port (Melbourne) Colts – and even then, I think we wasted chances early – against Cranny, Springy and Mordialloc, we had our chances.

“We should’ve put our foot on the throat and went away from what we pride ourselves on and that costs you games of footy.”

Cody Stackelberg of Chelsea Heights liked it off the boot. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Robinson is hopeful the win injects a bit of confidence in the group, as he feels the 1-4 start isn’t reflective on the brand of footy they are playing.

“I don’t think the results at the moment reflect where we’re at, I think we are a good side when we get going,” he said.

“Hopefully with a win and a bit of confidence, the guys can see that moving forward.”

St Kilda City coach Simon Goosey. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Cranbourne, Cheltenham, Dingley and Springvale Districts, meanwhile, tightened their grip on the top four, all claiming strong wins.

Cranbourne kicked away in the final term to capture a 15.12 (102) to 10.9) victory over St Paul’s McKinnon.

Kirk Dickson (five goals) and Marc Holt (four) combined for nine.

Cheltenham also stormed ahead after halftime, booting 11 goals to five to defeat Port Melbourne Colts 18.9 (117) to 12.10 (82).

The Rosellas had one more shot on goal than the Colts in the second half but kicked just one minor score.

Dingley never appeared challenged by Mordialloc, leading at every change in the 21.12 (138) to 8.5 (53) win.

The Dingoes – who were without Nathan Freeman due to a sore groin – had 12 individual goal-kickers on the day.

Springvale Districts kept Bentleigh winless, but it didn’t come without a scare.

In the battle of the Demons, Bentleigh trailed by 47 points at the main break before kicking seven goals to one in the third term to bring the margin back within two goals.

Kris Thompson’s men reset at the final change to charge on to a 15.11 (101) to 12.9 (81) triumph.

Matt Wetering slotted seven for the visitors while midfielder Dylan Quirk was named best afield.