SFNL: How Doveton resurrected its season

Doveton coach Michael Cardamone believes his side now has the right formula to push SFNL premiership favourites East Brighton. We go inside his plan.

Southern league Division 2 Grand Final: Doveton v Chelsea Heights. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Doveton coach Michael Cardamone has encouraged his group to understand the ebbs and flows of football.

The Doves have won each of their past six to set up a mouth-watering top-of-the-table clash with the undefeated East Brighton this Saturday.

Cardamone has prepared, both tactically and practically, his side to not only dictate terms but how to nullify the Vampires when they take flight.

He said the understanding and application of this practice has allowed his side to move from its 1-3 start to 7-3 and second on the ladder.

“We’ve been able to adapt to conditions and go when you have the momentum and not when you don’t,” Cardamone said.

“Being able to control the game, I think that’s the most pleasing thing we have been working on at training the last six weeks.

“Football is a funny game, you’re not going to have momentum for 120 minutes, you will have patches, and you have to take advantage when you do have those patches.

“And when you don’t, you have to be really disciplined.

“We know they’re (East Brighton) a classy side and will have moments where they’re on top, so we have to nullify that and play our way.

“We don’t want to play East Brighton’s way, which we probably did in Round 2, we know what we have to do to adapt to keep the game on our terms or get a mutual ground.

“They’re the league leaders but we will put things in place to have a crack.”

Doveton ahead of the 2022 grand final. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The Doves left Hurlingham Reserve with their colours lowered back in Round 2, suffering a 92-point defeat.

Cardamone said while there was a level of “embarrassment” after that encounter, his side is itching to resurrect the past.

“I am looking forward to the challenge and I think the boys are too,” he said.

“There’s probably a little bit of embarrassment from Round 2, to be honest, that’s not how we go about things.

“We’re looking forward to having another crack at them.”

2019 Outer East Division 1 league medallist Will Smith has returned to the Doves. Picture: Hamish Blair

Doveton defeated East Malvern 12.16 (88) to 4.5 (29) to perfectly set up the clash with East Brighton.

Shannon Henwood turned back the clock, kicking two goals in a best afield display.

Vampires forward Tom Lamb continued his scintillating season with another five goals, taking his tally to 49 from 13 games.

East Brighton won the match with Murrumbeena 12.11 (83) to 8.5 (53).

Hampton Park, meanwhile, put Black Rock to the sword in a 23.21 (159) to 2.0 (12) massacre.

Declan Brunnell and Kyle Hendy both booted five while Tristan Fernandez-Phillips also kicked two and was listed as the Redbacks’ best.

Highett enjoyed another win, defeating the in-form Keysborough 11.6 (72) to 5.12 (42).

William Starford, Yianni Pasialis, Tom Brown, Josh Murphy and Dino Karamoshos were the Bulldogs’ best.

Skye recorded a terrific victory, downing Caulfield Bears 6.13 (49) to 5.13 (43).

The two sides never properly drifted with 10 points being the biggest lead at any interval.

Jackson Chapman, Jordan Thomas, Tyler Cabansag, Joel McConville, James Bateman and Lachlan Earnshaw were all sensational.