Southern league: Cheltenham and Cranbourne register thumping wins
An ex-AFL Crow, dubbed “a forgotten man’’ of the Southern league, helped Cheltenham blitz Bentleigh, while Division 1 newcomer Cranbourne has surged to top spot.
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Cheltenham racked up the biggest score of the Southern league division 1 season so far when it thrashed Bentleigh by 104 points at Jack Barker Oval on Anzac Day.
The Rosellas unleashed a 10-goal blitz in the final quarter to complete a 25.14 (164) to 9.6 (60) rout and stamp themselves as an early premiership contender.
Former Sandringham vice-captain Dylan Weickhardt was in sublime form, capping a best-on-ground display with two goals for the winners.
Returning key forward Josh Fox slotted seven goals, while former Adelaide Crows wingman and Sandringham VFL co-captain Myke Cook was named in Cheltenham’s best players.
Cook last season returned from a serious knee injury, with Cheltenham coach Des Ryan calling him “a forgotten man’’ of the Southern league.
Jack Davis kicked three goals, while Oliver Moran and Jack Worrall were also influential as the Rosellas improved their record to 2-2.
Division 1 newcomer Cranbourne scored a devastating win 58-point over St Kilda City at the Peanut Farm on Saturday.
The Eagles set up victory with a 7.3 to 1.3 opening quarter as Ryan Davey, Jake Stephens, Bailey Buntine and Kirk Dickson (four goals) dominated.
Davey and Marc Holt kicked three goals apiece for Cranny, who are sitting on top of the ladder with a 3-1 record.
St Paul’s McKinnon hurried to a 33-point lead in the first quarter against East Malvern and remained in the ascendency to win 16.12 (108) to 7.7 (49), with Nicholas Stathopoulos booting give goals. Kieran Knox, Ash Munday and Brody Lawford also had stellar games.
In Division 2, Doveton continued its eye-popping start in Southern league, belting Heatherton by 137 points, 22.21 (153) to 2.4 (16). Michael Cardamone fired off seven goals and now has 13 in three games, while Ricky Johnson, Harley Burmeister, Joziah Nannup and Travis Woodfield ran rampant.
Cale Love-Linay slotted three goals to help East Brighton to a gripping 13-point win over Caulfield Bears, 9.15 (69) to 8.8 (56). Blake Cochrane was named best-on-ground for the Vampires while Adam Ballard and Chris Smith tried hard for the Bears.
Keysborough sharpshooter Matthew Carnelley bagged seven goals in his side’s all-the-way 39-point win over Hampton Park, 16.16 (112) to 11.7 (73). Carnelley notched 1000 goals in senior suburban football last season and clearly still has an appetite for scoring. Cooper Balic was also influential for the Burras.
In Division 3, Carrum Patterson Lakes went on a scoring frenzy, thrashing South Yarra 27.20 (182) to 0.3 (3). Rohan Bleeker and Anthony Giuliano kicked eight goals apiece, while Cameron Neale slotted four in his first game for the season.
Murrumbeena spearhead Steve Tolongs is already eyeing a century of goals after kicking 11 in his side’s 89-point win over Clayton. Tolongs has 24 goals in three games.
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