Southern league: Cheltenham stays in contention as Dingley makes it five in a row

REIGNING triple premier Dingley won only four of its first 11 games but it has peeled off five consecutive victories to put a claim on fifth position.

Cheltenham celebrates a goal in the last quarter against Mordialloc.

Cheltenham continues to knock at the door of the Division 1 top five after an impressive 21-point win over Mordialloc at Jack Barker Oval on Saturday.

Although the Rosellas would need reigning triple premier Dingley to stumble in the remaining two weeks to see September action, they showed again on Saturday they had the talent to mix it with the best.

Mordialloc coach Michael Brown agreed.

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“Cheltenham has improved a lot as the season has progressed and could cause some havoc in the next few weeks,” he said after watching the Bloods go down, 10-9-69 to 7-6-48.

“They dominated for much of the game and probably should have won by more.”

But Brown is not hitting the panic button with the finals just two weeks away.

“We’ve got six of our best 22 out at the moment and are just starting to get a few back,” he pointed out.

“There are a few of our best who are working their way back and will start firing for us.

“After all, we won 11 games in a row and I’m confident we have the depth to get us back on track.”

The Rosellas had winners aplenty, with Jack Barclay, Daniel Harrison, Dayton Woodham and Brendan Dillon among the standouts.

Michael Spohn of Mordi and Sean McLaren of Chelt in a ruck contest.

St Kilda City jumped into third spot on the ladder by knocking off top dog St Paul’s last Saturday at McKinnon Oval.

“It was a terrific win for us,” said City coach Richard Houston after his Saints had saluted, 9-11-65 to 4-4-28.

“Any win over St Pauls on their home ground is a good one but it also re-enforces our belief that we can beat any team in the league on our day.

“But it's a very even competition and the finals series looks like being very tight.”

Saturday’s game was tight all day, with both defences on top for the most part.

“I think our good first quarter set it up for us,” said Houston.

“When St Paul’s kicked the first two goals with the wind in the final quarter, it looked a bit ominous, but fortunately for us, the heavens opened up and the heavy rain helped stop their run.”

Ruckman Ray Lengyel helped negate the influence of the Doggies’ Nic Halliday, while Julian Williams made the most of his promotion from the reserves with an impressive display both up forward and down back. Mitch Oman on a wing the hard-at-it Cam Hansen in the middle also impressed for the winners as did Hugh Mason and Jackson Vargas. Brad Gilder, Connor Byrne and Trent McIntyre did best for the Doggies, who appeared to miss the bustling presence of Matt Kreymborg.

Dingley claimed yet another big scalp when it outlasted East Malvern by 15 points in a low-scoring arm-wrestle at Souter Oval.

“The heat was on from the first bounce,” said Dingley coach Shane Morwood after his Dingoes had prevailed, 5-12-42 to 3-9-27.

“It was a high-pressure game all day and I was happy with the way everyone contributed for us.

“That is the difference at the moment, our guys are understanding their role and all playing their part. And to do it against quality opposition is a good sign.”

The Dingoes have now won five in a row after winning only four of their first 11 games to find themselves in fifth spot.

“The pressure is now on every team from second to seventh,” said Morwood. “Every team has to win to be sure of a spot.”

Lucas “Noodles’’ Walmsley was at his best for the winners, with solid support from Josh Ferguson, Jack Clausen and ruckman Simon Hallsworth. The Panthers were well served by Dylan Morton, Ben Timms and Luke Duffy.

Dingley coach Shane Morwood.

Despite a horribly inaccurate opening, Bentleigh slammed home eight goals in the second quarter to set up its easy 78-point win over Port Melbourne Colts at Bentleigh.

The Demons sprayed the goals for 10 straight behinds in the first term — including four posters! — but soon made amends to finish with 17-16-118 to 6-4-40. Sam McGarry was in vintage touch for the winners and his best-afield effort yielded five goals, with Chris Yenofkian, Ben Cooper and Brody Lawford also conspicuous. The Colts had goers in Michael Diaz, Nathan Doble and Josh O’Donnell.

Oakleigh District had its hands full with Chelsea Heights at Beazley Reserve but eventually pulled away to win by 17 points. Ryan Pearson, Franc Bonacci and Daniel Spence were at the forefront for the Oaks, whose greater accuracy helped them to victory, 15-7-97 to 11-14-80. Paul Fermanis and Dave Velardo helped themselves to four goals apiece for the winners, while Carl Dodson booted four for the Demons. Mick O’Driscoll, Jak Hancock and Ryan Archer also did well for the hosts.