Southern league: Alex Keath has 44 disposals, Corp kicks 5.4 in East Brighton victory

East Brighton blew up the stats sheet as it trounced reigning premiers Cheltenham, with three players gathering over 40 disposals and a spearhead firing off 5.4.

Sean Downie of East Brighton gave a dominating performance for the Vampires. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

East Brighton players might have had a dose of leather poisoning after their 86-point win over Cheltenham on Saturday.

The stats told the story: Alex Keath 44 disposals, Sean Downie 47 and Kyle Cooper 41.

The Vampires sunk their teeth into the Rosellas, kicking 16 goals to three after quarter time to coast home, 21.16 (142) to 7.16 (58).

Ex-AFL Crow and Bulldog Keath has played two “absolute blinders” — in different positions — in the past three weeks.

He’s living up to the hype surrounding his signing last December.

“He was very good against Cranbourne as well, I thought he was best on ground,’’ East Brighton coach Nick Jewell said.

“He’s played two absolute blinders so far — one was in front of the ball playing midfield-forward. And on the weekend we played him half back.

“That’s the beauty of him. We knew when we got him we’d be able to play him either forward, back or in the midfield because he’s got a huge tank as well. Coming off an AFL list, his GPS numbers are massive for a bloke his size.”

Sean Downie had 47 disposals. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Jewell said the Vampires’ victory over Cheltenham, which has won the past two premierships, showed his club was on the right track.

“It probably means we are certainly better than we were last year,’’ Jewell said.

“It’s a big focus to make sure we beat the sides who were above us last year on the ladder.’’

And the scary part for rivals is that East Brighton should only get stronger, with former Collingwood forward Ben Reid to slot back into the Vampires side for their next game — against rivals Bentleigh — on May 24.

The Vampires, with four wins and a loss, are in second spot, behind undefeated Dingley.

“We missed out last week against Dingley, they got us by 20 odd points and we didn’t play well at all, we didn’t get to play our game,’’ Jewell said.

“We’ve been moving the ball really well and been quite aggressive through the middle of the ground but Dingley just shut us down, we couldn’t get any ball movement going. On the weekend, very exciting to watch.’’

Nick Jewell, head coach of East Brighton. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

East Brighton’s forwards were dominant, with Nick Corp having nine shots at goal for a return of five majors, and vice-captain Blake Cochrane slotting four.

Old Brighton Grammarians recruit Lachlan Brooks also impressed for the Vampires, as did Andrew Denoon, who kicked two goals.

DOGS STORM HOME

Former St Bedes / Mentone Tiger Brayden O’Toole fired off six goals as St Paul’s McKinnon mounted a rousing last-quarter comeback to beat Port Melbourne Colts. The Bulldogs trailed by 14 points at the last change, but booted 7.2 (44) in the final quarter to win 15.11 (101) to 11.7 (73). Sam Hilton-Joyce, Brad Dolan, Kye Beveridge, Mason Martinez and Will Dwyer were also in the best for the winners.

DEMONS DOMINANT

Kieran Foley capped a best-on-ground display with five goals as Bentleigh cruised home over Cranbourne 17.18 (120) to 7.8 (50). Callum Dooley, Willis Reidy and Tom Smith also impressed for the 3-2 Demons.

MARTIN HITS HIS STRAPS

Noble Park champion and ex-Collingwood player Kyle Martin was one of the best players for Springvale Districts in its win over Murrumbeena 12.12 (84) to 7.9 (51). The Demons counted Adam Read as their best player.

GENT STARS

Former Casey Demons star Mitch Gent had a big say in Dingley’s 13.15 (93) to 11.9 (75) success over Narre Warren. Michael Barnes and Christopher Horton-Milne were also superb for the undefeated Dingoes.