By Nick Creely
OUTER EAST FOOTBALL
DIVISION 1 REVIEW – ROUND 3
Monbulk kept its unbeaten start to the season alive with a comprehensive domination of Officer after half-time at Starling Road on Saturday, 10.17 (77) to 5.4 (34).
The Hawks ventured out to the highway for the first time to take on Doug Koop’s under fire side – who after two straight losses to the start the season – simply needed to get a vital four-points under their belt.
With the pressure a highlight early, in what loomed as a low-scoring scrap, the Kangaroos were far cleaner with the ball in the opening stages and managed to take a narrow four-point quarter time lead.
But the Hawks were always going to relish the slippery, blustery conditions eventually, and simply took control of the contest thereafter, simply cracking in harder at the footy and winning the vital contests, particularly when the home side looked to move the ball forward.
Gun defender James Waldon succumbed to an injury just before half-time, making matters worse for the Kangaroos, who gave up their lead to be trailing by eight-points, and crucially gave away a fifty metre penalty that resulted in a goal, something that seemed to really shift the momentum of the match.
Instead of a much-needed response by the Kangaroos to inject some life into their season, the Hawks were brilliant in the third term – largely led by Kris Fletcher, who bullocked his way through to have a significant impact – and broke away to a sizeable lead after a stunning burst of goals that broke an otherwise dour game apart.
The Hawks peppered the goals in the final term to snare 2.8, while holding the Kangaroos scoreless in the final term, and very well could have extended the margin to well beyond 10 goals had they kicked straight late.
In a terrific day for the Hawks – who now move to second on the ladder – Fletcher was a clear best afield, with his toughness and skill a class above all others, while Dylan Werts, Brodie Emmett and Mitchell Dekker all important.
For the Kangaroos, big man Sean Roach was excellent in his return from injury, while skipper Matthew Clarke battled hard to kick two goals in another disappointing performance.
Pakenham, meanwhile, also moved to an impressive 3-0 record, inflicting the in-form Doveton with a 39-point loss at AJ Robinson Reserve, 10.8 (68) to 4.5 (29).
It was a special day for the Doves, who were celebrating their 50-year premiership reunion of the 1969 triumph, which was the first senior premiership won in club history, and with plenty of people there to support, it was a huge game on paper between two undefeated sides.
But the Lions were once again outstanding with their pressure and intensity around the contest, and controlled the game from the outset, taking a 17-point lead into quarter time.
Ash Green’s side kicked 3.4 while holding the Doves scoreless in the second-term, running away with the game in clinical fashion despite a brief fightback in the third term from the home side.
Warburton Millgrove, meanwhile, stormed home in the last quarter to pinch a thrilling win against Belgrave, 13.14 (92) to 12.14 (86).
The Magpies and Burras were neck-and-neck virtually all day, with the home side taking in a game-high 10-point lead at the final break.
But crucially, the Burras found their kicking boots in the final term after kicking 9.13 in the opening three quarters, kicking 4.1 to 1.3 and securing a six-point win.
David Lever was huge in the crunch moments for the Burras, while Mitchell Leeds (three goals) and Josh Taylor were instrumental, while for the Magpies, Josh Richmond did all he could, snaring four goals to be one of the best on the day.
In the final game of the round, Mount Evelyn controlled proceedings all day to cruise to a win against Emerald, 15.9 (99) to 11.6 (72), with Robert Hartfield snaring six majors for the Rovers.
