SFNL: Springvale Districts storms into league bye in the Division 1 top five
Springvale Districts will approach the second half of the season with a head of steam after a critical win over Port Melbourne Colts. Here’s why.
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While there was more than a steady pulse at Springvale Districts, Demons’ coach Kris Thompson described Saturday’s win as a triumph “that kept the season alive”.
In a typical eight-point game, the Demons overcame Port Melbourne Colts 13.11 (89) to 9.7 (61) to move a win clear in fifth position on the SFNL Division 1 ladder.
Although only early in the season, Thompson felt a sense of deja vu heading into Round 8, as his side’s failure to conquer top five teams in 2022 ultimately saw them finish in sixth.
“That win kept the season alive, really,” he said.
“We finished sixth and won eight games last year, so our goal was to win more than eight games, and that makes it five now.
“It keeps us alive and keeps us on track of where we want to be, it was an eight-point game, if we had of lost it would’ve made it hard for us to not finish sixth again.
“The significance of Matt Thompson’s 200th as well, it was a big day for our club, I am proud of the boys, I am proud of the effort – it was noticeably there from everybody… they just wanted to win.”
The weekend’s win was sparked by some incredible individual performances.
Mid-forward Daniel Helmore kicked half a dozen while Toby Arms impressed in the ruck.
“Yeah, unreal, he’s kicked six goals from the midfield,” Thompson said of Helmore.
“He plays up in the mid and then gets forward and when he’s able to get forward he is able to hit the scoreboard.
“It was almost the complete game.
“He had 22 (disposals), three inside 50s, 6.2 and he passed a couple off too, he’s a really selfless player, he could’ve kicked a couple of more.
“Toby Arms was our outstanding player, he had 35 playing in the ruck, undersized, 20-year-old, 35, 19 contested, seven intercept marks, he had six clearances, six inside 50s – I couldn’t be prouder of his game and his season, to be honest.
“He has a huge heart, he is undersized, but he loves playing in the ruck.”
After the King’s Birthday bye, the Demons travel to St Paul’s McKinnon (fourth) for another eight-point game.
Despite having the bottom three outfits in the three outings after the Bulldogs, Thompson said he has stressed to his group the enormity of beating the side’s that will be in a similar bracket come the pointy end of the year.
“Not to the next four, but the next game,” he said.
“We grouped these two together, we played Chelt (Cheltenham) and Cranny (Cranbourne) and they, with Dingley, are right up the top of the ladder.
“We reset the season from there; to play Port Colts and St Paul’s, who are around even with us, it’s like a mini finals series for us.
“They’re both eight-point games, we aren’t looking further than that – once we play St Pauls’, win, lose or draw, we will reset and put a few more goals in place.”
Dingley, meanwhile, remains atop of the ladder after a commanding 12.19 (91) to 7.8 (50) win over St Paul’s McKinnon.
The Bulldogs jumped out of the blocks in the first term, leading the Dingoes four goals to one at the first change.
However, the Dingoes piled on 11 goals to three – including five unanswered in the second term – to run away eventual victors.
Cody Cochrane kicked three while Nathan Freeman again starred for the home side with 45 disposals.
Cheltenham too executed a second stanza onslaught in its big 17.17 (119) to 12.12 (84) victory over St Kilda City.
The Rosellas kicked eight goals to one in the second term after leading by a solitary point at the first change.
Aaron Edwards kicked seven for the Saints, taking his season tally to 35.
In the other two Division 1 matches, Chelsea Heights secured a strong 12.13 (85) to 8.12 (60) win over Bentleigh and Cranbourne defeated Mordialloc 16.10 (106) to 7.5 (47).
The win to Chelsea Heights pushes the reigning Division 2 premier a win clear of the relegation battle, now being fought between Mordialloc and St Kilda City.
The Saints and Bloodhounds meet in Round 12.
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