Southern league: Keysborough noses out Skye in thriller

Youngsters Simon Marchese, Jonathan Huntington and Dion Elefante have ‘grabbed the baton’ at Keysborough this season.

Keysy’s Simon Marchese looks like he’s about to eat the ball against Skye on Saturday.

It’s been a season of tight finishes for Keysborough and its new coach, Chris Smith.

Of the Burras’ seven matches, three have been decided by six points or less.

Despite the close shaves, Smith has kept his beard, as well as his enthusiasm for coaching.

Round 1 went against Keysy, when Hampton Park won by five points.

But in Round 6 they held on to defeat Chelsea Heights by six points, and on Saturday they nosed out Skye by five points at Carrum Downs Recreation Reserve.

It was a cracking final few minutes.

Skye’s Brayden Stevenson hit the post to level the scores, and soon after classy Tim Werner marked and made the set shot to give Keysborough a six-point lead.

Bomber Brendan Weighell had the chance to knot it up again but his on-the-run effort was slightly astray. A few seconds later the ball was in the hands of Burras defender Dion Elefante when the siren sounded.

The result left Keysborough 5-2 and fifth on the ladder and Skye seventh at 3-4.

“Been incredible so far,’’ Smith was saying on Monday.

“Been tough at times too. We got poleaxed the other week by Caulfield but we’ve won the last two, just.’’

Jonathon Huntington on the run for Keysborough. Picture Stuart Milligan

Injuries have unsettled the Burras in the first third of the season. Smith said he’d been making at least four changes every week as players came in and out.

“I think we’ve got 16 out at the minute,’’ he said. They include club greats Michael Downie (work commitments) and Ryan “Bomber’’ Goodes (facial injury), key recruit Carson Stroble (torn hamstring), former AFL player Harley Balic and Tim Edwards (hamstring).

“What we’re hoping is that we’re getting all these injuries at the right time of the year, so we can be cherry-ripe for the backend of the season,’’ Smith said.

“The positive is, we’re using all of our depth. I reckon we’ve used 35 to 40 players already this year and we know who we can trust and who we need to work with to get a bit better.’’

Veteran forward Matt Carnelley kicked three goals against Skye to go to 25 for the season. Seasoned pair Ant Brannan and Geoff Humphreys were exceptional too, with Brannan playing forward.

Smith said Humphreys was best-afield “by far’’.

“He won us the game,’’ he said.

Ben Khongbut marks for Skye. Picture Stuart Milligan

At the other end of the age scale, smooth mover Simon Marchese, the long-kicking Elefantais and the promoted Jonathan Huntington were influential.

“Yeah, a few of the younger boys have grabbed the baton,’’ Smith said.

Marchese made the Dandenong Stingrays list as a top-age player last year but the NAB League Boys season never went ahead.

“He’s going really well. He’s gone to another level for us,’’ Smith noted.

“He’s got a lot to work on still but his X factor is huge and he’s put on some size and strength.’’

Mitch Barry, developing as a key defender, is another young Burra making good progress. He’s been added to the Southern league “young guns’’ development squad.

Keysborough coach Chris Smith.

Bombers coach Luke Martin said the result “hurt’’ his team, particularly with a visit to Caulfield coming up.

“The third quarter was a little bit disappointing but aside from that we played a really good game,’’ he said.

“That’s probably where we’re at. We have to play four quarters to beat these teams, whereas they seem to be able to play two or three good quarters and beat us.’’

Martin praised the performances of the busy Stevenson, signed from Parkdale, and classy defender Jordan Grollo, recruited from St Kilda City.

“He’s something we haven’t had down back, not even close,’’ he said of Grollo. “He can take intercept marks as well, which are worth their weight in gold.’’

Skye coach Luke Martin. Picture Stuart Milligan

Onballer Joel McConville and Jordan Keher made strong contributions too.

The Bombers have a first-gamer in Anthony Salomon, helping cover for injured ruckman Mick Kelly.

East Brighton climbed to second after thrashing Heatherton 22.15 (147) to 8.5 (53).

The Vampires had 13 goalkickers, led by best-afield Shaun James with four, as they continue to play as an exciting brand under new coach Andrew Kahofer.

The ladder lists them as 5-2 but they’re actually 6-2 after opening the season on Good Friday with a big victory over the Tonners (the result will show at Round 16).

East Brighton’s new-look team includes ruckman Daniel Taberner, the brother of AFL Fremantle Docker Matt.

He was recruited from Waverley Blues, and is enjoying a strong season.

“He’s going OK and people are definitely watching, because he’s getting double-teamed,’’ Kahofer said.

“I guess it’s a sign of respect that they’re looking at us and trying to stop us from scoring. It’s a challenge for us to find a way around that.’’

Taberner brought his pal Matt Shem with him, and he’s played every game in the seniors too.

Kahofer said of the spread of goalkickers: “We share the goals around. We don’t have the same set-up as a couple of the other clubs with big, key forwards who are the main focal point. We’ve got a different way of scoring.’’

The Vampires’ rise has been one of the talking points of the season.

Kahofer said the club was “building a new group, a new club, a new culture and a new game, and it’s showing some good signs’’.

“I do like the way everyone is contributing. It’s not the same blokes every week. I’m stoked with the team effort every week, I’m pleased with the support of the club,’’ he said.

“But we’re coming from a long way back. We’re not in a position to be standing on the rooftop shouting out, ‘Look at us’. We’re just trying to win the respect back.’’

This week the Vampires face their sternest test when they host Springvale Districts at The Coffin.

Gun forward Matt Wetering kicked 10 goals for the Demons in their thumping win over Murrumbeena last Saturday.