Bentleigh rattles home to defeat East Malvern in Southern league squeaker
BENTLEIGH finishes hard to defeat East Malvern and Endeavour Hills underlines improvement by defeating Dandenong in SFL action.
South East
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BENTLEIGH responded to a three-quarter-time tongue lashing by coach Brad Canavan to storm home and pinch an unlikely three-point victory over East Malvern at Bentleigh Reserve, winning 12-6-78 to 11-9-75.
The Demons had trailed all day and faced a daunting 27-point deficit at the last break.
“It’s the biggest on-field spray I’ve given them this season,” said an elated Canavan after the game.
“We weren’t doing the things we had spoken about and it was very frustrating to watch.
“But the boys made it happen in that last quarter and it was a massive win for us.
“We began kicking longer, were more direct and the boys just kept running.”
The Demons were buoyed by an inspirational effort up forward by young Matt Troutbeck, who led the revival with five goals in a best-on-ground display. Sam McGarry was at his bustling best, while the on-field presence of Todd McLean across half-back was again a key factor. The Panthers could well consider themselves unlucky after having led all day, thanks to the efforts of the reliable Tremaine Tohiariki, Matt Carroll and Chris Johnston, who snared four goals. But in the end, three quarters of football was simply not enough.
Cheltenham controlled the second half to skip away to a 45-point win over St Kilda City at the Peanut Farm. The sturdy Rosella defence restricted the Saints to just four goals for the day and only one after the long interval. In contrast, Pat Nicholls booted four of his own for the visitors, who had multiple options up forward. Ben Moloney and Chris Germano were on fire for the winners in the difficult conditions, while the consistent Jack Barklay was again a mainstay. Jarrad Martin continued his recent good form and generated constant drive, while for the Saints, Shane Reid, Zio Holdinghausen, Paul Kennelley and Dave McNaughton were prominent.
Ladder leader Dingley continued on its winning way last Saturday at Souter Oval, dispensing with Chelsea Heights by 49 points. With Andrew Frost, Jackson Peet, Marcus Freeman (4 goals) and Jack Ades starring, the Dingoes held the Demons to just three goals for the day, winning 10-13-73 to 3-6-24. The slippery oval made the finer skills a little harder to manage and goals hard to come by, but the hosts did their best work after the rain, booting five goals in the final quarter. Chris Moloney, Callum Dodson and Lachie Dobson were among the Demons’ better players on the day.
East Brighton ground its way to a 35-point win over Clayton at Meade Reserve. The Clays’ two goals in the first quarter were their only goals for the day, while the Vampires did a little better, eventually winning 7-9-51 to 2-4-16.
Ben Douthie led the way for the winners with four goals, while Andrew Jansen, Toby Mahoney and Mark Jamieson were also effective in the difficult conditions. Alex Johnston, ruckman Matt Jones and Sheldon price did best for the outgunned Clays.
Like many games played last Saturday, a low-scoring slog was the order of the day at Heatherton, where St Paul’s prevailed by 37 points over the Tunners, 8-19-67 to 4-6-30.
Despite the slippery conditions, Doggies forward Luke James returned to his best form and ended the day with five goals. Peter Mercoulia, Owen Lewis and Andy Gilbert were among the others to show out for the red, white and blue, while the Tunners were well served by Cameron Moon, Josh Dwyer and Adam Sparrow.
*DIVISION 2
In div 2, Springvale Districts outplayed a brave Caulfield in the second half at Koornang Park to turn a half-time deficit of eight points into a 19-point victory. With big Jason Twirdy and the hardworking Chris Dove in everything, the Bears were on track to add another big scalp to their belt, but their effort fell away after the long break and they could manage only a further two late goals in the final term. The Demons grew in confidence as the game progressed, with Lance Baptist, Chris McTaggart and Ben Laier leading the way. Leighton Ross was another standout for the winners and capped a polished display with three goals, while Aidan Jolly also snagged three.
The scoreboard attendants have had busier days than the one at Carrum Downs Reserve last Saturday, when Mordialloc grabbed top spot on the Division Two ladder with one of the lowest winning scores of the season. The Bloods booted 4-6-30 to eclipse previously undefeated Skye, who could manage just 2-6-18. This tally from the top two teams may say something about the conditions with which the players had to contend. But they stuck at their task admirably, with Nick Corda, Simon Fragiacomo and Daniel Lynch leading the way for the Bloods, while Matt Doyle, Martin Watts and Jim Martinson were the pick of the Bombers.
Doveton Eagles’ third win of the season was arguably their best to date, according to coach Clint Wilson.
“It was certainly our most even team effort so far this season,” Wilson said after his team had outclassed Murrumbeena by 27 points in slippery conditions at Power Road.
“We had a few out and the boys who stepped up did a great job,” he added.
They included Dylan Chadwick, who was solid at centre-half-back, and another resolute defender in Hayden Martin.
However, it was Matt Fristad who was again the’ general’ down back while Matt O’Callaghan and wingman Keith Dobson also shone. Peter Dye did his usual competent job up forward with six goals.
Jason Cornish and Chris Evans were among the better players for the Lions, as was veteran Shaun Hawking, who was instrumental in his team outscoring the hosts in the second half with his shrewd ‘kick behind the play’ strategy proving very effective.
In the even Division Two competition, Wilson believes the Eagles can still play finals football.
“We’ve got five of the last nine games at home and most of those are very winnable. We’re not out of it by any stretch,” he pointed out.
Hampton’s 11-goal win over Moorabbin in last Saturday’s local derby at Widdop Crescent has enabled the Hammers to leapfrog into sixth place and keep their finals hopes alive. The visitors were simply too accomplished in the slippery conditions and won easily, 16-12-108 to 5-12-42. Justin Isaac was at his creative best for the Hammers and capped an impressive display with four goals, while Todd Crane and Josh Burbidge were among there many other clear winners. Jordan Cusin and Pauric Smith were the pick of the Kangaroos, with Simon Sloss and Daragh Daly also conspicuous.
After a nip-and-tuck struggle all day, Highett held on grimly for a hard-earned two-point win over Oakleigh District on a greasy surface at Oakleigh.
“It was an eight-point game for us and a crucial win in the context of our season,” said Highett coach Dan Marshall after the game.
“It puts us two games clear of Oakleigh, whereas a win to them would have had us equal with them at the halfway mark.”
Barely a kick separated the sides all day in the low-scoring struggle, and although the Bulldogs couldn’t find the goals in the tight final term, the Oaks could manage just one, to go down 9-7-51 to Highett’s 8-5-53.
On a day not made for big men, Aaron Harris toiled productively in the ruck all day for Highett, while on-baller Ben Williamson and the ever-reliable Tom Brown handled the conditions superbly. Peter Quinn also proved a stumbling block in down back for the Bulldogs, while Dave Velardo made the most of his opportunities up forward with three goals. Ironically, after indicating at the start of the season that he may cross to Highett, Elvis Alimovski opted for his old team the Districts and he was their best on Saturday. The silky skills of Paul Fermanis were still on show despite the conditions, with Pat Carroll and Dan Kiellerup also prominent for the hosts.
*DIVISION 3
In Div 3, the arrival of Endeavour Hills as a competitive football unit was heralded with fanfare at Barry Simon Reserve last Saturday when the Falcons stormed home with a final quarter blitz to account for Dandenong by 14 points. Trailing all day and still in arrears to the tune of 21 points at the last change, the hosts slammed on 7-1 to 1-2 to win 11-9-75 to 8-13-61.
The defeat proved a hefty blow to the Redlegs’ slim finals hopes, while highlighting the continued improvement of the young Endeavour Hills club, who are also eyeing finals.
“We certainly haven’t written off finals expectations,” said Endeavour Hills coach Steve Muscat.
“Our next few games are very winnable and if things go our way we can put ourselves in a position to have a real crack at finals.”
The Falcons had plenty of winners in a very even team effort, with midfielders Byron Hoe and Ben Graham providing constant drive. Tom Gubbins was also active all day in defence, while Allan McPherson (5 goals) and Shane Peake (4) formed a formidable dual-pronged attack that provided nine of the Falcons’ 11 goals. The disappointed Redlegs had goers in James Farrugia, Dave Barrie and Stephen Young.
“I think they may have run out of legs a little,” was Muscat’s reading of the game.
“It rained for most of the first half and the ground was like an ice rink but when it started to dry out a bit, our runners came into the game.”
The arrival of Endeavour Hills as a competitive football unit was heralded with fanfare at Barry Simon Reserve last Saturday when the Falcons stormed home with a final quarter blitz to account for Dandenong by 14 points. Trailing all day and still in arrears to the tune of 21 points at the last change, the hosts slammed on 7-1 to 1-2 to win 11-9-75 to 8-13-61.
The defeat proved a hefty blow to the Redlegs’ slim finals hopes, while highlighting the continued improvement of the young Endeavour Hills club, who are also eyeing finals.
“We certainly haven’t written off finals expectations,” said Endeavour Hills coach Steve Muscat.
“Our next few games are very winnable and if things go our way we can put ourselves in a position to have a real crack at finals.”
The Falcons had plenty of winners in a very even team effort, with midfielders Byron Hoe and Ben Graham providing constant drive. Tom Gubbins was also active all day in defence, while Allan McPherson (5 goals) and Shane Peake (4) formed a formidable dual-pronged attack that provided nine of the Falcons’ 11 goals. The disappointed Redlegs had goers in James Farrugia, Dave Barrie and Stephen Young.
“I think they may have run out of legs a little,” was Muscat’s reading of the game.
“It rained for most of the first half and the ground was like an ice rink but when it started to dry out a bit, our runners came into the game.”
Ashwood finished on strongly to pip South Yarra by four points in a thriller at Fritsch Holzer Park. With Jordie Cellini (4 goals), Daniel Russell and Josh Gledhill leading by example, the Lions had worked their way back into the game with a spirited third quarter effort to set up a handy 13-point lead at the last change. But it was the Magpies’ turn in the final quarter to pepper the goals and they did enough to scrape home winners, 16-8-104 to 14-16-100. In the end, it was the experienced campaigners who carried the day for Ashwood, with Brett Figas, Jarryd Uren, Ben Giblett and Ricky O’Brien standing up to be counted. Jacob Barker was also handy for the winners with four goals.
Sandown served notice that it was not just making up the numbers in the top five when it surprised an inaccurate Black Rock by four points in a nailbiter at Edinburgh Reserve. The Jets have claimed some big scalps this season, but it was the Cobras who carried the day in slippery conditions, winning 8-9-57 to 6-17-53. The hosts were inspired by the efforts of Anthony La Rocca, Brad Hemphill, Daniel Macklin and Steve Ritchie, while evergreen spearhead Clint Sheedy weighed in with four goals. While the Jets can point to their inaccuracy, with just six goals from 23 scoring shots, they were given every chance by the likes of Brad Meehan, Cory Durie, Jay Williams and Brenton Henry.
Mt Waverley had all the answers at a wet and slippery Barry Powell Reserve last Saturday as they bulldozed their way to a convincing 12-7-79 to 5-7-37 win over Lyndale. Despite an outstanding effort by Taylor Irish and gutsy contributions from Alex Kerr and Dale Tormey, the Pumas were never really in the hunt and had no counter to the bigger bodied and slicker Mountain Lions. Taryn Dawson was a driving force all day for the winners, with Michael Dennis and Ben Beecroft also in everything.
Carrum Patterson Lakes proved far too accomplished for a persistent, but slightly undermanned Hallam in testing conditions at Roy Dore Reserve. With James Dent in great touch and Joel Dalton on fire with five goals, the Lions sailed to victory by 76 points, kicking 16-8-104 to 4-4-28. John McMurray and Justin Olaman (4 goals) were also prominent for the winners, with Jack Barrie-Sewell, Rory McIvor and Bryce Neve among the Hawks’ best.