Southern league: Key pillars stand tall for Dingley in win over Springvale Districts

Two key defenders and a ruckman were showered with praise after the Dingoes took a big step towards finals in Southern league Division 1.

Dingley’s Justin Van Unen celebrates a goal on Saturday. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Dingley coach Danny Ades called it before the game.

The Dingoes simply had to quell Springvale Districts key forwards Ty Vickery and Matt Wetering if they were to win the crucial fifth versus sixth contest.

And he had just the men for the job, wholehearted defenders Kristen Feehan and Sam Macgregor.

“We made no secret of the fact before the game that if they won their positions that would go a long way for us to get the result,’’ Ades said.

“I was really impressed with our two key backs.’’

Vickery was kept goalless and Wetering kicked one.

Dingley coach Danny Ades. Picture: Valeriu Campan

In a hotly contested midfield battle, Dingley broke away in the second quarter to kick four goals to one to dash 25 points ahead at half-time.

It set up a 26-point win, 10.16-76 to 7.8 (50), at Souter Oval.

Ades also poured glowing praise on ruckman Vergim Faik, describing him as “definitely the most influential player on the ground’’.

“He was good around the ground but his tap work really separated the stoppages,’’ he said.

“And I think once we got a bit of run out of the clearances we were able to isolate our forwards because (Dan) Farmer and (Justin) Van Unen were quite dangerous when they got their one on ones.’’

Jackson Peet fires out a handball for Dingley. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Jackson Peet, Lucas Walmsley (two goals) and Cam Dickie were also named in Dingley’s best players, while Van Unen and Farmer kicked three goals apiece.

Ades provided one of the highlights of the game when he flew for a mark, and got lift-off to pull down a “hanger’’.

After being whacked with injuries to key players this season, Dingley finally emerged from a game with a clean bill of health.

And there are brighter days ahead for the Dingoes, with a raft of key players set to return in the coming weeks, including reigning best-and-fairest Cam Hansen and star recruits Tim McGenniss, Michael Dolan and Jake Mullen.

Dingley has won three of its past four games to cement fifth spot, two games clear of Springvale Districts.

Jarell Osei.

Dingley players celebrate a goal.

In other games:

*Port Melbourne Colts pulled away from Mordialloc in the last quarter to win by 31 points, 12.9 (81) to 7.8 (50).

Lachlan Voss, Chris Deluca, Ethan Williams, Seb Duffy, Jordan Maloney and Rikki Newton were outstanding for Colts, who improved their record to 4-8.

*Young gun Sam Hayes was best-on-ground for Cheltenham as the Rosellas beat Bentleigh by 82 points to climb to top spot.

Myke Cook was also outstanding, kicking two goals, while Daniel Rendell, Tom Turner, Rex Kilburn and Austin Johnson were also in the best.

*St Paul’s McKinnon consolidated third spot with a thumping 129-point win over East Malvern, 23.16 (154) to 3.7 (25).

Stephen Muller and Matthew O’Brien were unstoppable up forward for the Doggies, kicking eight and five goals respectively.

Harrison Hunt, Brody Lawford and Reagan Maddaford were also among the best players.

Deekon Stapleton and his uncle Matthew Stapleton.

In Division 2, an uncle and his nephew played together in Doveton’s 154-point win over Heatherton.

Under 19s player Deekon Stapleton made his debut and played in the backline alongside club captain — and his uncle — Matthew Stapleton.

Doveton coach Michael Cardamone fired off seven goals and Cam Williamson four, while Shannon Henwood, Dylan Chapman, Mitchell Pierce and James Gascard were dominant.