SFNL: Highett kept its double chance dreams alive with a win over Doveton

A simple but direct message from coach Clint Einsiedel was all Highett needed to claim its first major scalp of the season. See the full details of the Bulldogs’ weekend-win.

Highett FC

“Today’s the day”.

Highett coach Clint Einsiedel’s message to his group ahead of Saturday’s season-shaping win was brief.

The Bulldogs needed to send a statement in the shape of a commanding victory and Einsiedel told his group to deliver it at the earliest opportunity.

Taking on Doveton, which defeated the Dogs by 21 points in the earlier fixture, Einsiedel stressed the importance of a “scalp”.

“I think everyone around has been talking about whether we’d make the finals at all,” he said.

“I sort of said to them: ‘today’s the day we make a statement and take a scalp’.

“It’s not easy to win out there, it’s tough, not many sides go out there and get the four points, so it was pleasing that the guys played four quarters, finished the game off well and got an important win.

“It’s probably our best win, definitely, to be able to go out to Doveton and beat a quality side, albeit, I know they were a little low on personnel, you still have to get the job done.

“We were low on personnel as well to be honest, had a few missing, so definitely our best win of the year.”

Highett gathers at an interval/

After being a touch wasteful in the opening term, Highett managed to kick just two minor scores beyond the first change.

According to Einsiedel, the Doggies’ work on the outside delivered the 10.4 (64) to 6.7 (43) confidence-boosting victory.

Now sitting equal on points with Doveton, it’s a win -— with Hampton Park and Murrumbeena in coming weeks — which has the potential to shape the clubs season.

“We have Hampton Park this week, so we will focus on that first, but they’re desperate to win as well now,” he said.

“They’re in a position just below us where they will be looking to stay above a few of the clubs below them.

“Our boys will get a lot out of that I hope, earlier in the year we played those top sides and there was a fair gap.

“We have bridged that gap and hopefully a bit of confidence from Saturday will hold us in good stead for the next couple of weeks.”

Tom McCarthy, Sam Jackson and Bailey Searle were among Highett’s best. For the Doves, Cameron Wilkinson kicked five of their six majors in a best afield outing.

Doveton now has a fight on its hands for third place. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Steve Tolongs of Murrumbeena. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Elsewhere, Murrumbeena is just one win away from cementing a second-chance finish after an outstanding win over Hampton Park.

The Lions stormed out of the blocks with a nine-goal-to-four opening half and carried that momentum into the third and final term to secure the 16.14 (110) to 9.3 (57) win.

Club stalwart Steve Toolongs was instrumental with six majors.

In an ominous sign for contenders, East Brighton is beginning to find other avenues to goal, with man-mountain Nick Corp firing off six majors in Saturday’s 18.9 (117) to 6.7 (43) win over Skye.

Corp is the latest Vampire to hit the scoreboard with a flurry after Ryan Semmel booted four last week.

The Vampires are expecting the return of Brady Egan in coming weeks from a hamstring injury.

EastMalvern’s Isaac Morrisby is closing in on Vampire Tom Lamb (who hasn’t fired in two weeks) after his six-goal haul in the Panthers’ 17.6 (108) to 12.12 (84) win over Caulfield Bears on Saturday.

Trailing by 10 points at the main break, the visitors piled on 11 goals to five in the second half to close the gap on the Bears in seventh.

Keysborough, meanwhile, shot away from a plucky Black Rock to scoot 14 points clear of the Jets.

The Jets, who have been far more competitive across the last month, remained within reach to three-quarter time, until the Burras kicked away to win 11.14 (80) to 6.13 (61).