Cam Riley answers coach Dandenong coach Glenn Jose to lead the way in big win
‘IT’S one of the best games I have ever seen anyone play’ — Dandenong coach Glenn Jose praises Cam Riley after the club’s big win over the Southern Dragons on Saturday.
South East
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Dandenong crashed through for its first win of the season with a comprehensive 58-point triumph over Southern Dragons in their Southern Football League Division 3 clash at Keeley Park on Saturday.
Despite the windy conditions, the Redlegs hit the ground running and led comfortably at each break for a win that is sure to boost the moral at Greaves Reserve.
“I think it will definitely boost the confident of our boys, especially the younger players,” said coach Glenn Jose after the game.
“Today we showed we could run and use the ball well. We’ve come up against some pretty slick teams so far and a win under our belt will work wonders.”
Jose was generous in his praise of the efforts of lightly-built winger Cam Riley.
“It’s one of the best games I have ever seen anyone play,” he enthused.
“I’m not saying that lightly. During the week, I put the acid on young Cam for more contested footy and boy, did he respond.
“His attack on the ball was fantastic and he set up a lot of goals for us.”
Trent Cole also showed out in the middle for the Redlegs, as did ruck-rover Nicholas Ford, while Dave Barrie was almost impassable down back.
Alex Keng, Andrew Do and Khoa Nguyen did best for the undermanned Dragons.
Endeavour Hills kicked away any chance of victory over a more accurate Ashwood in a low-scoring, wind-affected tussle at Barry Simon Reserve. The Falcons succumbed by just six points, despite having nine more scoring shots, when they sprayed the goals for 7-20-62 to 10-8-68.
Although the likes of Cade Marshall, Cedric LeGrand and Nathan Crutchley won plenty of the ball, it was only Shane Peake who was able to finish of their work properly when he booted four of the Falcons’ seven goals.
The Magpies had winners in Mick Spencer, Jacob Barker (3 goals) and Jeremy Nelson, while Frank Martinicchio also snagged three goals.
Lyndale bounced back onto the winners’ list with a 33-point win over Hallam at Hallam Reserve.
There was little between the two sides for three quarters, but with nippy midfielder Veton Rexha, Alex Bartucci and Trent Isbister in everything, the Pumas sailed to victory with five unanswered goals in the final term. Mohammed Babar led the way up forward for the winners with five goals, while Phil Ross bagged three.
Tom Bradley, Sean Gaitely and Damien Sharp and Nathan Prosser were among the Hawks’ better players.
Black Rock consolidated its place at the head of the Division 3 ladder with a hard-earned nine-point win over Mt Waverley at Mayfield Reserve. With Brad Meehan, Sam Maitland and Brenton Rafferty leading the way, the Jets grabbed the initiative in the second quarter and held a handy 18-point lead at the last break. But the Mountain Lions fought back to within a point at the 15-minute mark of a hectic final quarter before Tom Dalton steered through the sealer for the visitors five minutes later. It was one of Dalton’s four goals for the day, while Tom Dewar also bagged four.
Leigh McInnes, Chris Cafiso, Taryn Dawson and Jarrod Wilkin were the pick of the Mountain Lions, while Luke Galle and Drew Macrae snared three goals apiece.
It was a case of which team had its head in front at the final siren in a low-scoring grind at Edinburgh Reserve. It turned out to be Moorabbin, which got the nod over Sandown Cobras in a photo finish, 9-9-63 to 8-10-58. Despite the windy conditions making it difficult for the players, Peter Gerard, Jim Hadfield, Matt Johansson (3 goals) and Mick Kinsella handled the ball superbly and often for the winners.
But although the Cobras went down, coach Rick bean was philosophical about the result.
“It was a game we should have won and that’s disappointing,” he said after the game.
“But overall, I was pleased with our effort. We just did a few silly things that cost us the game.
“And to be honest, I think Johansson may have just made the difference when it mattered with some timely goals.”
Jesse McDonald, Luke Newton, Jake D’Atri and Steve Ritchie were among the Cobras’ major contributors.
“Apart from our premiership, this was probably the best win in the club’s history,” said proud South Yarra coach Brett Devlin after his team had upset Division 3 powerhouse Carrum Patterson Lakes by 15 points in the battle of the Lions at Fritsch Holzer Park.
“We actually went into the game a little undermanned and although I was confident we would give a good account of ourselves, I wasn’t really counting on a win like that.
“It has been our aim to apply constant pressure but we haven’t been able to sustain it for four quarters until today.
“The boys really applied themselves and we shut them down. It was a genuine four-quarter effort with 22 contributors,” he added.
“We’ve got a lot of young blokes who are still learning, but when they got a sniff of victory today, they did the job.”
Co-captains Jordie Cellini and Tom Hanney led by example for the winners, while Dan Russell was superb down back, as he has been all season. Young Zac Maher, a rugby convert from New South Wales who has played only a few seasons of Aussie Rules, also excelled when given a key midfield role.
Devlin also heaped praise on the hosts’ defence, with potential matchwinners James Dent and Trevor March kept unusually quiet.
“Our back six was outstanding. Dent and March have run riot in recent weeks but their influence was limited today,” he said.
Although the Lakes’ influential ruckman Chriss Barr was among his teams’ best, big-hearted Yarras’ ruckman Eamon Hanney waged an enthralling duel all day with him.
Others to do well for the Lakers were John McMurray and Alex Hollingsworth, but it was South Yarra’s day and deservedly so.
In Division 2 Hampton prevailed by nine points over Caulfield in a grinding encounter at Peterson Street.
“It was an absolute grind,” said Hammers coach Ben Lockwood after the game.
“It was very windy and goals were hard to score, even when kicking with the wind.
The Hammers led by just three points at the last change, with the Bears coming home with the wind.
“I was really pleased with the way the boys battled hard to come away with the points,” he said.
“I think our class made the difference in the end.”
Hampton’s lethal two-pronged attack of big Joel Hanlon and the clever Scott Fiora again paid dividends, with Hanlon booting four goals and Fiora three.
“I thought Scott was probably the difference between the two teams,” Lockwood said of the former South Australian forward.
“I reckon he was involved in 12 of our 20 scoring opportunities and he works in so well with Joel.”
The return of Josh Burbidge was another big plus for the Hammers as he gathered 35 possessions in his first game since the opening round.
Skipper Todd Crane led by example with a ripping second half effort, while young Carl Nicholls excelled on his wing in his first senior game.
Far from disgraced, the Bears had winners in ruckman Adam Ballard, Tom Heagney, key defender Corey Barter and Andrew Booth.
Highett underlined its improved form this season with a thumping 66-point win over Doveton Eagles at Power Road. After a hard-fought first half, the Bulldogs powered away in the third term with six unanswered goals to sew up their third win of the season and climb to fourth spot on the ladder.
Jess Elms and Tom Brown were terrific all day for the Doggies, with ever-reliable Pat Singh and Dean Kelly also prominent. It was once again left to the brilliant Corrie Wilson to lead the fight for the Eagles. He led by example with three of their five goals and was tireless in his efforts to keep the hosts competitive. He was well supported by Mick Harris, Harley Wanganeen and Jason Thompson.
Keysborough kept its unbeaten record intact with a solid 27-point win over Skye at Keysborough Reserve.
The Burras led at each break and always had the game under control, thanks to the efforts of Will Gayfer, Shaun Witherden and Saniel Morland, among many others. Tyson King again provided a target up forward and finished with five goals for the winners.
Martin Watts, Ben Evans (3 goals) and Ben Harper were the pick of the Bombers.
An inaccurate Heatherton lost its battle with the wind and the game against Oakleigh District when it could manage just 2-12-24 to the District’s 12-11-83 at Ross Street.
Despite the Tunners’ wayward kicking, the Oaks were always in control, with the brilliant Dave Velardo again leading the way with another seven-goal haul to follow his 13 straight the previous week.
Matt Hackett, Khaled Kandakji and ‘Dashing Dan’ Kiellerup contributed to the constant supply for Velardo, while Kandakji managed to snag three goals of his own.
Brad Carroll, Brodie O’Loughlin and the lively Matt Van Schajik worked hard all day for the Tunners, who are sure to be set some extra kicking practice this week at training.
Murrumbeena notched its second win of the season when it outplayed Springvale Districts by 63 points at Murrumbeena Oval. The Lions laid the foundation of their victory in the second quarter when they slammed home seven goals to the Demons’ two to take control of the game. The contest tightened up considerably after the long break and became a battle of the defences, with only six goals scored in the second half.
Josh Wright was a tower of strength all day for the winners, whose 14 goals were shared by 11 players.
Others to show out for the Beena included Alex Moloney, Sammy Stamos (three goals) and James Shirley. The Demons were well served by Shelton Rosario, Jamie Fox, Dylan Bramble and Matt Thompson.
In Division 1 Dingley cruised to a 54-point win over Chelsea Heights at Beazley Reserve. The Dingoes simply had too much class and experience in the end but the Heighters stuck to their task and lost no friends.
Adam Stock and Dean Francis provided plenty of firepower for the Dingoes and finished with four goals apiece, just reward for their solid four-quarter efforts. Luke Bartholomew and Dan Farmer also shone for the winners, while the Demons’ major contributors included Callum Dodson, Jodrdan Perryman and Lachie Dobson. Jackson Fry also did his bit up forward with four of his team’s eight goals for the day.
It’s just on 13 years since Mordialloc last savoured victory over St Pauls, but at Ben Kavanagh Reserve last Saturday, for many, it was worth the wait. Few, if any players would remember the Bloods’ last success in June 2002, but some supporters did and for those who didn’t, it didn’t matter. What matters is that the Bloods are on the march in 2015 and although their 7-6-48 to 5-9-39 win was a hard slog in windy conditions, the four points may prove invaluable.
Again, it was a gritty team effort by the Bloods, with Simon Fragiacomo, Jim Keighley and Joel Waters at the forefront, while James Morris weighed in with three handy goals.
The Doggies, who have been perennial finalists, have a fight on their hands to be there again this season, but they had winners in Harley Ambrose, Tim Roberts and Kieran Knox, while Travis Ridgway contributed three of their five goals.
Cheltenham held out a determined Bentleigh by just three points in a low-scoring arm-wrestle at Jack Barker Oval. The Rosellas arguably did their best work in the third term and when they booted the first two goals of the final stanza, it was always going to be hard for the Demons.
“It was an important win for us, that’s for sure,” said Cheltenham coach Andrew Butterfield after the game.
“It keeps us in touch with the top group.”
Butterfield was pleased with the way his team persevered after losing wingman Sam Quigley (concussion) and key forward Chris Graham (calf) in what was a hard, slogging contest.
“Bentleigh played good footy and are always very competitive, so it was good that we were able to get the job done.”
Daniel Vaughan was again a tireless kick-winner for the Rosellas, while big Nick Dickinson again impressed. Another to show our was former Collegians midfielder Jay Austerberry, who earned praise from his coach.
“Jay’s use of the ball was really first-class and I think it’s the best game he’s played since joining us,” said Butterfield.
Another bonus for the Rosellas was the form of veteran in-and-under on-baller Justin King, who worked hard in the clinches all day. Pat Nicholls’ three-goal contribution was also more than handy in the scheme of things.
For Bentleigh, it was a case of so close, yet so far, but they had winners in Jackson Meredith, Scott Lawry, Sam McGarry and Mark Smith.
Clayton received a lesson of how to play in windy conditions at the hands of East Brighton when the Vampires walloped them by 135 points at Hurlingham Park, kicking 27-12-174 to 5-9-39. It was East’s biggest win over the Clays in their 29 encounters since 1982, eclipsing their 133-point victory in 2011.
The Vampires had winners in almost every position, with Andrew Jansen again dominant. Seasoned campaigner Phil Smith was at his best with five goals, while newcomer Patrick Jamieson weighed in with four.
Mitch Backman, Dion Lucas, Anthony Bailey and Justin Whyte also shone for the winners, with Chris Morrison, Matt Wilson, Gabby Irons and Daniel Kirby among the few to offer
resistance for the visitors.
East Malvern held out a fast-finishing St Kilda City to score by 12 points in their game at the Peanut Farm. The Saints trailed by 40 points at the last break, but sailed home with five goals to one in the final quarter. However, the Panthers were worthy victors, with solid efforts from the experienced Matt Fife, forward Mick Cooke (three goals), Isaac McCrimmon and the creative Benji Neal.
Mark Tasiyan led by example up forward for the City with five goals and was well supported by the brilliant Aaron Purvis, Aaron Green and Cameron Hansen.
COMING UP
DIV 1
East Malvern v Mordialloc
Clayton v St Kilda City
East Brighton v Chelsea Heights
St Pauls v Cheltenham
Bentleigh v Dingley
DIV 2
Highett v Murrumbeena
Oakleigh Dist v Doveton Eagles
Heatherton v Hampton
Springvale Dist v Keysborough
Skye v Caulfield
DIV 3
Sandown v Black Rock
Endeavour Hills v Lyndale
Carrum Patt Lakes v Moorabbin
Ashwood v South Yarra
Mt Waverley v Southern Dragons
Hallam v Dandenong (night)
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