Southern league 2019: Nick Battle kicks the winner as Doveton Eagles nose out Keysborough

They kicked a lot more points than goals but Doveton Eagles finished well enough to defeat Keysborough in their stand-alone Queen’s Birthday weekend clash.

Doveton Eagles converge on Nick Battle after he scored the matchwinner against Keysborough.

The final margin was eight points, but the difference in scoring shots told the story of the match.

In their much-anticipated Queen’s Birthday weekend clash on Saturday, Doveton Eagles scrapped out a 7.22 (64) to 8.8 (56) win over Keysborough in SFNL Division 2 at Keysborough Reserve.

The blustery conditions had a lot to do with the Eagles’ many behinds and both teams’ often wayward disposal.

At three-quarter time, when they trailed by seven points, it appeared the Eagles’ inaccuracy could cost them, but they finished off with 3.5 to 1.2 to hand Keysy their first loss of the season.

Gotcha: Keysy’s Bomber Goodes nabs Eagle Andrew Ray.

Big men Cameron Carmody and Adam Read and the hard-running defender Andy Ray led the way for the Eagles.

Small men Cory Wilson and Cory Wilson and veteran Darryl Thomas were other strong contributors, but Thomas was disappointed when he missed a shot from 15m out in the late stages of the final quarter.

The point did, however, put the Eagles in front and a goal from star Nick Battle from a Keysy kick-in sealed it for the visitors.

Battle had been well held by Burra speedster Troy Cullen, who was named the Burras’ best player.

Keysborough was missing spearhead Chris Bryan, out with a broken hand. In his absence, Matt Carnelley and Tim Werner both kicked three goals.

Geoff Humphreys gave drive through the middle and James Anwyl battled hard in defence, always happy to run off when the opportunity presented.

Geoff “Joffa’’ Humphreys tries to barge through for the Burra.

Keysys coach Matty Ferguson was disappointed with the loss but said his team had its chances in the final quarter, only to squander them with rushed kicks at goal.

Ray was there to take last-line marks for the Eagles, who also had worthy players in Nick Beer and Enayte Samadi.

“We had a really good third quarter, changed things around and got some momentum and started the last well, but at times we really struggled to get it out of our back half,’’ he said.

“They were better in the air and got us with the clearances in the first half. Their ability to defend from their front half was pretty exceptional too.

“They dominated us in the second quarter but the other three were pretty even. They were probably a bit better for longer.’’

The match was a stand-alone fixture in the Southern league and attracted a terrific crowd.

It doesn’t get any easier for Keysborough, which visits Springvale Districts this Saturday in what should be a bumper first-against-second derby match.

“Massive challenge for us against the premiership favourites,’’ Ferguson

The Eagles travel to winless Skye.

Eagles coach Clint Wilson at the three-quarter time huddle.