Dingley bests East Brighton to stay unbeaten after seven matches

DINGLEY has paraded its credentials as a Division 1 contender by defeating East Brighton in the Southern league match of the day.

East Brighton and Dingley players put eyes on the pill at Hurlingham Park on Saturday. Picture: Susan Windmiller

Dingley has emerged as the only undefeated side in Division One with a 41-point win over previously undefeated East Brighton in the long-awaited Southern league Division 1 top-of-the-table clash at Hurlingham Park.

But Dingley coach Shane Morwood is not getting carried away.

“It’s only Round 7 and there is a long way to go,” he said after the game.

“We’re heading in the right direction and so far this season, it’s going OK.”

But despite his low-key approach, the former Collingwood star was well aware of the significance of the win to his team.

“It’s fair to say that today was our biggest challenge to date and the boys answered it superbly.

“I thought it was a good, solid, four-quarter effort although we let them off a bit early, when we should have been more effective on front of goal.

“And we allowed them back into the game in the third quarter, when they hit the post a few times and could have done some damage.

“But we controlled the last quarter and that was very pleasing.”

Morwood’s Dingoes have matured impressively in recent years and it was the likes of Jack Clausen in a back pocket, the hard-working Jackson Peet and determined Josh Boyle who typified their progress.

Young Adam Lloyd, in only his sixth senior game, was a tower of strength, whether in the ruck or up forward, while Jack Williams marked his permanent return from Frankston with a smooth display.

Spearhead Dean Francis booted four goals in his first game against his former club.

The Vampires had winners in Andrew Jansen, Peter Larsen and Sam Dillon, while Toby Mahoney and Damian Lynch booted three goals apiece.

Chelsea Heights has bounced back after successive narrow losses to outpoint St Kilda City by 46 points at Beazley Reserve.

After dropping two games in a row by three point margins, the Heighters were on song from the first bounce and never allowed the Saints into the game.

Sam Fox was in ripping form for the winners in only his second game of the season and finished with three goals, while Luke Newton, Michael Washington and Callum Dodson were among their many other standouts.

It was left to coach Gav Mahoney to lead the resistance for the Saints and he was supported by Shane Reid, Josh O’Neill and Gavin Phillips, but there weren’t enough like them.

East Malvern’s short stay in the top five came to an abrupt end at the hands of a resurgent St Paul’s at McKinnon Oval.

The Doggies have rediscovered their flag-winning form of last season and a seven-goal haul from century goalkicker Travis Ridgway propelled them to a 96-point victory.

Back was the familiar blistering speed through the midfield and tight-knit defence, while the on-ballers controlled proceedings all day.

Pete Mercoulia’s purple patch continued with another stylish display, with Matt Kreymbourg, Owen Lewis and Kenton Hall among the Doggies’ many other clear winners.

Experienced campaigners Matt Carroll and Trent Hotton worked overtime to keep the Panthers competitive, with the consistent Tremaine Tohiariki and nippy Benji Neal also doing their bit.

However, East is still right in the mix as one of five teams from fourth to eighth separated by percentage only.

Heatherton’s brave and determined bid to break through for its first win of the season might just have been enough on any other day.

But last Saturday at Ross Street, brilliant Clayton forward Tim Edwards dispelled such a notion as he steered through eight of his team’s 12 goals to steer the Clays to a gritty, 11-point victory in the battle of the black-and-whites.

Despite the best efforts of stalwart Clint Einsiedel and hard-working midfielder Kane Tucker, the Tunners had no answer to the in-form Edwards.

Brad Starkey and Josh Dwyer also did their share to give the hosts hope, but it was always Edwards who spoiled the party.

Tall utility Daniel Kirby was also solid all day for the Clays, along with Dean Evangalista, Dion Lucas and Jesse Henderson.

Any doubts about Caulfield’s ability to shake up the tightly contested SFL Second Division were emphatically dispelled in one quarter against Hampton at Peterson Street.

After taking a hard-won but modest lead of 13 points into the long break, the Bears poured on the power to slam home 10 goals to two in a third-quarter blitz that set up their 67-point triumph.

Adam Connell has been working up to his best form for Caulfield and arrived in style with an eight-goal, best-afield performance.

Tom Dickson was solid in support and finished with four goals, while Adam Ballard and Chris Dove were impressive all day for the winners.

The Hammers, who are a chance to humble any team in the competition when they play four quarters, had goers in Justin Isaac, Todd Crane, Jake Simon and Brendan Bennett.

Mordialloc pulled away in the second half to record a 53-point win over Murrumbeena at Ben Kavanagh Reserve.

The Lions kicked all of their five goals in the second term to trail by the slenderest of margins at the long break.

But with Dave Marguglio running riot and the creative James Pennycuick setting up opportunities for teammates, the Bloods did as they liked in the second half.

Pennycuick finished with four goals of his own, as did the ever-dangerous James Morris, while Todd Bastion and Simon Fragiacomo also did plenty of good work.

Jason Cornish, Chris Evans and Willem Voorham were the pick of the Lions.

Highett proved too accomplished for an undermanned Moorabbin at Turner Road, coasting to victory by 41 points.

The Bulldogs were well served up forward by Khaled Kandajki, who snagged six goals in a quality display, and the reliable Tom Brown.

Others to impress for the winners included Yianni Pasialis (three goals) and Dave Velardo, while Aaron Bodin, Matt Johansson (five goals) and Liep Kuel did well for the Kangaroos.

The Skye juggernaut rolled on its relentless way at Carrum Downs last Saturday with a workmanlike 52-point win over a disappointing Oakleigh District.

The Oaks were never in the hunt and had no answer to the likes of Matt Doyle, Mark Fedderson, Adam Beness and a host of others who laid the path of destruction for the Bombers.

Springvale Districts have jumped to fifth spot on the Division Two ladder on the back of their hard-fought 25-point win over Doveton Eagles at Newcomen Road.

The Demons began slowly, but with big-hearted ruckman Dan Wilson and Matt Thompson leading the way, eventually wore down the plucky Eagles for a morale-boosting victory.

The Vales are a better side with the hard-working Leighton Ross in full flight and he was almost back to his best.

Brad Dight and Ben Laier produced their best games of the season for the winners, while Eagles forward Peter Dye stood like a beacon for the visitors with eight of their 14 goals.
Nathan Graeske, Corrie Wilson and Keith Dobson were also effective contributors for the Eagles, who fought the game out and were always a chance.

In Division 3 Black Rock has grabbed third spot on the ladder following its easy 62-point win over Lyndale at McDonald Reserve.

For the third time this season and second time in two weeks, sharpshooter Tom Dewar collected a seven-goal haul for the Jets, while Brad Fairhurst helped himself to five.

Corey Durie and Jay Williams also did some great work further afield as the Jets sounded a warning to the top sides.

The outclassed Pumas did their best work in the second half, with Brett Tosh, Damien Wilsnach, Ben Cox and Shannon Deszcz among those who toiled to keep the deficit from becoming embarrassing.

Sandown had to pull out all stops to overcome a persistent Hallam by seven points in a keenly fought tussle under Friday night lights at Hallam Reserve.

Only four points stood between the two teams at half-time before the Cobras opened up a handy six-goal lead at the last change.

Jake Chapman, Nick Morrish and James Hewitt had led the way for the visitors, with Jason Toan also in everything, collecting three goals along the way.

But the much-improved Hawks struck back in the final term with 4.6 to a solitary behind.

Their revival was led by Jon Daly, Chris Molnar and Mitch Durham, among others, including Brandon Nolan, who weighed in with three goals.

Mount Waverley continued on its winning way with a 119-point win over a young Endeavour Hills line-up.

The more experienced Mountain Lions controlled proceedings from the outset but Byron Hoe, Jarryd Burke and Daniel Batson were among the good signs for the Falcons.

Carrum-Patterson Lakesplayer Justin Olaman celebrates a goal against Ashwood.

Carrum Patterson Lakes broke the shackles after quarter-time to march on to an easy 52-point win over Ashwood at Essex Heights Reserve.

The Magpies proved stubborn early, with Matt Maginnes, coach Paul Wineberg and Jarryd Uren giving plenty of cheek.

But then the Lions’ match-winners stepped up a gear and the visitors were able to pull away, without ever really ever dominating or delivering a knockout blow.

Andrew Lucas, James Dent, Joel Dalton and Justin Olaman stood out for the winners.

Dandenong savoured its second win of the season when it eclipsed South Yarra by 20 points at Greaves Reserve.

Times have been a little tough for the Redlegs so far this season, but they showed plenty of spirit as the plucky Lions nipped at their heels.

With many of their senior players coming back, coach Daniel Atkin hasn’t ruled out the prospect of September action.

“We’re very hopeful of making finals,” he said after the win.

“We knew the first half of the season was going to be hard for us but we’re finally getting our side back together.

“We made nine changes this week and already there is an evident lift in the spirit around the club.

“The team showed great character today after the previous week’s loss. We could easily have dropped our bundle, but numbers at training during the week were great and our effort today was terrific.”

The Redlegs moved the ball better than they have all season and when the Lions challenged, their backline stood firm.

Chris Arnold at half-back was singled out for special mention by Atkin.

“Chris took five or six contested marks in the last 10 minutes of the game when they were coming at us,” he said.

“And we call Ryan Forsyth the ‘clearance king’ — he was terrific all day.”

Shannon Brown also impressed in the midfield in only his second game of the season, while Kevin Atkin continued to revel in his new role in the ruck.

The coach himself showed how it was done up forward with four goals, while Brodie O’Loughlin and Dean Gentle assisted with two apiece. The Lions had plenty of players worthy of mention, with reliable Jordie Cellini, Ben Merritt, Eamon Hanney and Daniel Mahoney among them.

NEXT ROUND, JUNE 14

DIV 1

Bentleigh v East Malvern

Clayton v East Brighton

St Kilda City v Cheltenham

Heatherton v St Paul’s

Dingley v Chelsea Heights

DIV 2

Skye v Mordialloc

Caulfield v Springvale Dist

Doveton Eagles v Murrumbeena

Oakleigh Dist v Highett

Moorabbin v Hampton

DIV 3

Lyndale v Mt Waverley

Endeavour Hills v Dandenong

Sandown v Black Rock

South Yarra v Ashwood

Carrum Patt Lakes v Hallam