Hampton’s Darren Harrison celebrates 300th game with bag of seven goals in Southern Football League hammering of Moorabbin

SFL WRAP: IT was a day to remember for Hampton stalwart Darren Harrison as he chalked up 300 games - he booted seven goals in a 173-point win.

Playing your 300th game is an achievement in itself, but it doesn’t get any better than seven goals, the nod for best-on-ground and a massive 173-point victory.

That was the lot of Hampton veteran Darren Harrison last Saturday when the Hammers obliterated a hapless Moorabbin, 30.20 (200) to 3.9 (27) at Peterson Street.

And according to Hammers coach Chris Worner, Harrison is playing better than ever.

“He’s been playing in the back pocket all year and we moved him forward in the second quarter, simply because of the match-ups.

“He kicked a goal and than went down back again. In the last quarter we threw him forward again and he has come out and kicked six goals in one quarter.

“It was one of the best second-half efforts I have seen from anyone in a long time,” Worner added.

Harrison’s mantle may have been stolen by Joel Hanlon had he stayed on the field.

Hanlon was unstoppable in the first half with six goals, but left the field to nurse a slight “niggle” to ensure freshness for the finals.

The win propelled the Hammers into third spot, with a win over Oakleigh District in this week’s final game necessary to clinch the double chance.

“We’ve simply got to win. We can’t rely on anything or anyone else,” said Worner.

Worner will be looking to the likes of Jake Simon, Todd Crane and Andy Grey to carry last Saturday’s form into the next few weeks. Luke Batt and Worner himself also got among the goals with five apiece, while Matt Johansson, Mark Russell, Pete Gerard and Zdenek Hostalek offered stoic resistance for the Kangaroos.

Highett assured itself of finals action with a gutsy seven-point win over Oakleigh District in their ‘mini-final’ at Turner Road.

The Oaks had to win to make the finals and would have taken the Bulldogs’ spot on the ladder, but with Jess Elms, Ben Williamson and Tom Brown (4 goals) leading the way, the Doggies won the day, 14.8 (92) to 13.7 (85).

The Bulldogs boasted multiple avenues to goal, with Dave Velardo and Sasha Danilovic booting four apiece. The win was also a fitting farewell for favourite son Pete Poelsma, who made his last match appearance at Turner Road after a long career of service to his beloved Dogs.

The disappointed Districts were never far off and trailed by only three points at the last change, but despite the efforts of Mladen Jasic, Paul Fermanis, Matt Hackett and Will LeMarca, they will bow out for the season next Saturday.

Mordialloc grabbed an important psychological edge in the battle for this year’s premiership when it outplayed closest rival Skye by 35 points in a low-scoring arm-wrestle at Ben Kavanagh Reserve.

The two sides have occupied the top two spots on the ladder for most of the season, but it was the Bloods who reigned supreme in Saturday’s battle of the defences.

Such was the meanness of the Mordialloc backline that the Bombers could manage just 2.11 (23) for the afternoon to Mordi’s 8.10 (58).

Simon Fragiacomo continued his great form for the Bloods with another quality display, with Sam Nichols, Todd Bastion and Andrew Fyans also constantly under notice. The Bombers had winners in Daniel McEwan, Matt Gonzalez and Ben Telindart, but they simply didn’t have enough mates.

Doveton Eagles eventually prevailed by eight points over Murrumbeena after a ding-dong tussle at Murrumbeena Park.

With barely a kick between the two sides for most of the game, the Eagles’ greater experience and body strength may have won them the day, but the solo effort of spearhead Peter Dye was almost certainly the difference in the end.

Dye booted eight goals in a best-on-ground display, with Brayden Keown, Chris Mills, Matt O’Callaghan and Nic Paynter among their many other effective contributors.

The Lions had their own target up forward in Mitch Walder, who bagged five goals, and winners in Cameron Walker, Dylan Elkman and Tom Valenta, among others.

Springvale Districts emerged from a slump to overcome finalist Caulfield by 10 points in something of a surprise at Newcomen Road.

The Vales have been in the horrors since midway through the season, but looked sharper and more committed as they led at each break to win 9.11 (65) to 7.13 (55).

“It’s been a long time between drinks and well overdue,” observed Demons’ coach Jack McTaggart after the game.

“While we have been hit by injuries, that is no excuse for our poor form. It has been an attitude thing and this week, our pre-game preparation wad different and our attitude was different.

“The feeling in the rooms before the game was better and it was a really pleasing effort out on the ground.

“I thought we dominated for all but about 10 minutes of the third quarter but we couldn’t put them away.

“The game was still alive midway through the last quarter.”

It will be a sad day this Saturday at Moorabbin when skipper Gav Vasallo plays what will most likely be his last game. Vassallo has been a champion with both Noble Park and Springvale Districts and after being coaxed back this season, is sure to hang up the boots.

He was again among the Demons’ best last Saturday and his presence and coolness in the final term was instrumental in his team’s victory.

Aiden Jolly also gave the Demons plenty of run, while stout-hearted ruckman Dan Wilson provided drive all around the ground. Nineteen-year-old Jason Adams also showed out in what was his best game of the season, according to McTaggart.

And Saturday’s game will also be McTaggart’s last as coach of the Demons.

“I’ve informed the club I will not be applying again next season,” he said.

“It has been a great learning experience for me in my first senior coaching role and I really appreciate the opportunity given to me by Springvale Districts.

“The club has been terrific all the way through.”

Caulfield may have blown its double chance with the disappointing loss to Springvale Districts.

Despite the heroic efforts of Adam Connell, who booted four of the his team’s seven goals, and strong four-quarter performances from Lachie Dunne, Jason Twirdy and Mason Angove, the Bears fell short and must now hope for a miracle to recover third spot in next Saturday’s final round. Caulfield will take on Murrumbeena, where victory will be no easy task, and hope that Oakleigh District can overcome its disappointment of missing finals to upset Hampton.

In Division 1, East Brighton posted its biggest ever score over Clayton, since they first met in 1982, with a 112-point rout at Hurlingham Park.

The Vampires eclipsed their previous best by three points with their 24.8 (152) to 5.10 (40) victory. With Jesse Henderson, Matt Douglas, Chris Morrison and Daniel Kirby toiling hard, the Clays were competitive in the first half, but could manage just one goal in the second.

In steep contrast, the Vampires went on a goalkicking spree with eight in the third term and another seven in the last.

The brilliant Dean Williamson led the way for the red-and-whites, booting five goals in a best-on-ground effort, while Mark Jamieson and Matt Durack were also on fire with four apiece.

Tait Sabec, Andrew Jansen and Sam Jeffery also impressed for the winners.

Flag favourite Dingley flexed its muscles with a 103-point win over Chelsea Heights at Beazley Reserve.

The Dingoes signalled their intentions early with seven unanswered goals in the opening quarter and another eight in the second.

The Heighters had no answer to the strong-marking Dean Francis, who finished with 10 goals in a memorable display.

Jackson Peet continued his recent form with another stellar effort, while Luke Walmsley, Jack Williams and Adam Stock had the ball on a string.

Jordan Perryman, Matt Terech and Darren Walsh battled on gamely for the Heighters, while Ash Beasy weighed in with four of their eight goals.

Inaccuracy was the order of the day at McKinnon Oval last Saturday, when St Paul’s outplayed Heatherton by 44 points in a low-scoring contest.

With Andy Gilbert (three goals) leading the way and strong support from Mark Marasco, Harley Ambrose, Pete Mercoulia and Cameron Rodda, the Doggies coasted to victory, 9.16 (70) to 3.8 (26).

The Tunners stuck to their task as always, with strong efforts from Kane Tucker, Michael Ersch, Shayne Gibbs and Matt Sauer.

If St Kilda City is any measuring stick, Cheltenham will go into the Elimination Final against Chelsea Heights in a fortnight time as a warm favourite.

The Rosellas easily accounted for the Saints last Saturday at Jack Barker Oval, while a week earlier, the City proved too strong for the Heighters.

We all know football doesn’t work like that, but by any measure, the Rosellas looked confident and assured as they coasted to a 74-point win on the back of a third-quarter blitz that yielded eight goals to one.

Brett Collins and Pat Nicholls did the damage up forward for the winners. Collins was among their best and finished with six goals, while Nicholls snagged a lazy four.

Toby Arthur produced his best effort of the season for Cheltenham, while youngster Jake Davis impressed in only his third senior game. Zac White and Anthony Milesi were also prominent for the Rosellas, with coach Gav Mahoney, Daniel McGee, Jason Chea and Simon Hislop (three goals) among the Saints’ best.

Bentleigh again pressed its case as the best side outside the top five when it outpointed East Malvern by 12 points at Lucas Reserve.

The Demons’ goal of consolidating itself in the middle of the Division One ladder has been realised and there is plenty for the club to build on in 2015.

Sam McGarry was again terrific all day for the winners, with Scott Lawry and Alex Walker also prominent. James Robertson led the way up forward with four goals, while Ben Morrison bagged three.

The Panthers were well served by Kurt Gowers and Chris Duck, who snared five goals, with Paul de Koeyer and Tremaine Tohiarki (3 goals) also more than handy.

Sandown waltzed into third spot and the double chance in this year’s Division 3 finals when it thrashed fellow finalist Black Rock by 97 points at McDonald Reserve.

The Cobras went in at half-time with a hard-fought 10-point lead, but seven unanswered goals in the third quarter blew the game wide open.

Another seven goals to one in the final stanza put the stamp on the Cobras’ most authoritative performance this season, a more than healthy sign for this week’s finals clash against Carrum Patterson Lakes.

The visitors had winners all around the ground, with the creative Frank Martinicchio capping a best-afield effort with five goals. Veteran spearhead Clint Sheedy was also on fire with six goals, while Daniel Macklin, Jake Chapman and Ben Adams collected possessions at will.

The outgunned Jets were found wanting, despite the best efforts of Nic Hellyer, Jason Frydman and Joseph Krieger.

Sandown takes on the Lions on Saturday at Heatherton in the Qualifying Final, while Black Rock will need to regroup for its Elmination Final clash against Lyndale at Heatherton on Sunday.

Lyndale’s hopes of a top-three finish were dashed in just one quarter of powerhouse football by Mount Waverley in Saturday’s clash at Mayfield Reserve.

The Pumas had nipped at the heels of their more fancied hosts for three quarters to trail by 16 points at the last change.

But the Mountain Lions burst the shackles with eight goals to one in the final term to run out 61-point winners, 18.15 (123) to 8.14 (62).

Up until then, the likes of Brett Tosh, Tommy Clappers and Dale Tormey, among others, had helped keep the Pumas in touch and in sight of their goal. But in the end, they had no answer when their hosts upped the ante.

Ian Taylor, Shane Costantino and Sam Taunt led the charge for the Mountain Lions, while sharpshooter James Gough steered through seven goals.

Lyndale takes on Black Rock in Sunday’s Elimination Final at Heatherton, while Mt Waverley will enjoy a week’s rest.

The disappointment of missing finals spurred Ashwood to a 38-point win over South Yarra at Essex Heights Reserve. Far from being despondent, the Magpies were up and about and raced away in the second quarter to set up victory, although the Lions matched them goal-for-goal in the second half.

Chris Meyers led the way for the Woods with six goals, while Josh Stanton, Paul Wineberg and Jarryd Uren all did their bit for victory.

Josh Gledhill and Kieron Finlayson were the pick of the Yarras, with Tom Hanney and Jarrod Gloury also conspicuous all day.

Carrum Patterson Lakes had all the answers in its one-sided clash against Hallam at Hallam Reserve, sailing to victory by 158 points.

The Lion defence conceded just one goal, with the final scoreline of 26.12 (168) to 1.4 (10) telling the story of the game.

The visitors won in almost every position, with Chris Barr, Joel Dalton and Chris Mouritz among the standouts, while Greg Kerr, Steve Richards-Gill and Brandon Nolan battled gamely against the odds for the Hawks.

Dandenong finished its season with a flourish and two wins on the trot when it outpointed Endeavour Hills by 94 points at Greaves Reserve.

The Redlegs began slowly but made their intentions clear with an eight-goal second term, with Warren Kairns, Scott Murphy and Cam Riley in great touch.

Brodie O’Loughlin provided a target up forward and finished with seven goals, while Jamie Farrugia, Regan Hall and Ash Harvey also impressed.

THIS WEEK

DIV 1 (Rd 18)

Bentleigh v St Pauls

Clayton v Chelsea Heights

St Kilda City v East Malvern

Heatherton v East Brighton

Dingley v Cheltenham

DIV 2 (Rd 18)

Skye v Highett

Caulfield v Murrumbeena

Doveton Eagles v Mordialloc

Oakleigh Dist v Hampton

Moorabbin v Springvale Dist

DIV 3 FINALS

Saturday

Qual Final — Carrum Patt Lakes v Sandown (at Heatherton)

Sunday

Elim Final — Lyndale v Black Rock (at Heatherton)