SFNL: Reigning premiers Cheltenham cruise to 71-point win after heavy round 1 loss

After a surprise 10-goal loss in round 1 the reigning Southern league Division 1 premiers responded in emphatic fashion with a 71-point thumping. Here’s what was key.

Jack Lonie slotted four goals for Cheltenham in its round 2 win. Picture: Andrew Keech

It was almost inevitable.

After suffering a 10-goal defeat at the hands of Dingley, reigning premiers Cheltenham responded in emphatic fashion to remind Division 1 of the Southern league what they’re capable of following a 71-point domination of Springvale Districts.

The Rosellas boasted five VFL-listed players in their line-up, while Springvale Districts was missing champion Kyle Martin, but it was a resounding result nevertheless.

“Stark contrast to the week before,” Cheltenham coach Justin Pickering said with a relieved laugh.

“It was a really good performance by us, I was rapt with the pressure for four quarters.

“I knew they were going to come out and be physical and be quick and move the ball quick, which they did.

“We had a real focus on putting pressure on, causing turnovers, and hitting targets ourselves — it was probably the worst I’d seen us the week before.

“The boys just absorbed the pressure and we had a few guys who could run and move the ball quite well and just told in the last three quarters I suppose, really pleased.”

With a midfield buoyed by the strong contingent of VFL inclusions, Jack Lonie was thrown forward to aid an inexperienced forward line and did so with great effect, snagging four goals.

The VFL trio of Richmond’s Austin Johnson and Frankston’s Nicholas Burke and Ollie Moran combined for eight goals and all had good moments as the Rosellas powered to a 19.14 (128) to 8.9 (57) win.

Jacob Edwards had a great game for the Rosellas. Picture: Andrew Batsch

“They all love Cheltenham too which is a real bonus,” Pickering added.

Despite the additions of their VFL-listed crew, the Rosellas were still missing Riley Bonner, who figured in the VFL representative team’s 11-point win over the SANFL, and Sean Lai, who took to the field for Richmond’s VFL side against the AFL Academy on Sunday.

Pickering also lauded the effort of his ruckman Jacob Edwards, who was “fantastic” and Pickering’s best-on-ground vote from the clash.

“It’s good to have a 6’10 ruck rover when it hits the ground,” the Rosellas coach added.

“A couple of backline players were fantastic too, that was the important thing, they all did their role and there weren’t too many weak links.”

Young Alec McComb, who is on the Dolphins’ VFL list but is yet to play a game this year, was another standout.

“He was one of our better ones, really works hard and probably covered 14 or 15 kilometres which is no mean feat in that heat,” Pickering said.

“He didn’t kick any goals like he normally does but he set up a hell of a lot.”

Cheltenham’s next test will come on Anzac Day when the Rosellas take on Bentleigh at Bentleigh Recreation Reserve.