By Mark Gullick
KEYSBOROUGH remains undefeated following a hard-fought 15-point win over Hampton Park at Rowley Allen Reserve.
A strong wind blowing across the ground wrought havoc on the players and threw out the team’s pre-match strategies.
“It was a really strange game of footy,” Keysborough coach Brad Canavan said. “First half it looked like a soccer game.”
At half-time, the scoreboard was in Hampton Park’s favour, 1.6 to 1.3.
There were few highlights in the opening hour of play as the half-back lines of each team were rarely penetrated, and the rare shots on goal were wayward.
“Both sides had their chances to kick a couple of goals, but we both squandered them,” Canavan said. “From 20 or 30 out, we were both missing.
“I gave the boys a bit of a rev-up at half-time, the first rev-up I’ve given them since I’ve been at Keysy. I put it on a few blokes to step up in the second half because we only had 20 men. We lost Luke McGuinness and Tim Bacic to injury.”
Canavan also made a few changes during the long break.
Corey Wilkinson went forward and played a defensive role on Ryan Simpson, Matthew Freeman went to the back line and Waata Wells went to full-forward.
His players responded with four goals in the third term to put Keysborough ahead by one-point heading into the final stanza.
“I thought we had the momentum and the wind was slightly pushing our way,” Canavan said.
Keysborough kicked the first few goals of the final term, but Hampton Park answered with goals of their own.
Davor Rajic was moved forward and kicked two goals which edged Keysborough towards their victory.
Hampton Park coach Josh Taylor was displeased with his team’s discipline.
“A few undisciplined acts crept into our game and cost us the match,” Taylor said. “There were a few 50-metre penalties and things like that in the last quarter of the game, which was pretty disappointing.”
“It’s the third week in a row when the game’s there to be won; we’ve just let ourselves down in the contest.”
Keysborough’s best players were David Prib, John McMurray, Karl Schoenmaekers, William Gayfer, Damien Wilsnach and Matthew Freeman.
Better players for Hampton Park were Nathan Dawes, Leigh Morse, Linden Fredericks, Ryan Simpson and Craig Lombard.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:NARRE WARREN V TOORADIN
Despite his team’s 66-point win, Narre Warren’s coach Matt Shinners didn’t underestimate Tooradin heading into their clash at Kalora Park.
“I went down and watched them last week against Cranbourne and they certainly had their fair share of the ball in the first half, but they just couldn’t score,” Shinners said.
“I knew they’d be thereabouts having a go.”
The score line of Narre Warren 11.7 to 6.4 was indicative of Tooradin’s determination and improved forward structure up to half-time.
“They certainly put a lot of pressure on us and played quite well.”
Narre Warren were able to run away with the game in the last half by kicking 10 goals to five.
The Magpies will be a difficult proposition for most teams and played well considering they had the bye last week.
“The bye didn’t help us,” Shinners said. “We had such a good win against Pakenham (in round one) and you’re floating on a high and all of a sudden, you’ve got a bye.
“We trained all right, we had a good week.”
Despite the loss, Tooradin coach Chad Liddell saw the match as another experience for his young team.
“Our older guys understand what’s happening, but the young guys are still learning and that’s sort of where we fall down a little bit. The boys were pretty good.”
Narre Warren’s best players were Steven Kidd, Glenn Hamilton, Dylan Piening, Chris Lee and Brett Evans, who finished with six goals. Lee kicked four goals, as did Jackson Parker.
Beau Miller, Matthew Davey, Rohan Hyde, Ben Disney, Michael Hobbs and Adam Splatt performed well for Tooradin.
Davey finished with seven goals and earned the praise of his coach.
“(Davey) only came down last week,” Liddell said. “His brother (Justin) plays at the club. His attitude is fantastic. When we start playing good footy, he’s going to be one of those guys that will really stand up for us.”
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:CRANBOURNE V DOVETON
A nine-goal second term provided the impetus for Cranbourne’s 61-point win over Doveton.
The Doves played exciting football in the opening term, scoring 4.2 to 0.1.
Cranbourne coach Doug Koop was disappointed with his players.
“We needed to be more accountable,” Koop said. “We heard a lot of rumours and innuendo and (the players) obviously heard they were struggling a bit and played accordingly. We didn’t pay them the respect they deserved.”
Cranbourne responded with an eight-goal second term which placed them 27 points ahead at half-time.
An eight-goal to four last half saw Cranbourne cruise to victory.
“We fell away towards the end of the second quarter and the third quarter really cost us,” Doveton coach Mark Ladgrove said.
“Cranbourne are a pretty physical side and our young boys couldn’t match them for the entirety of the game. We fell away in sections which is what cost us.
“It was a positive start and when the kids show belief they can match it with any of these sides. We’ve got to do it for four quarters and that will come with maturity.
“Cranbourne play Casey Fields really well. They train there and play there every second week and it’s a ground you’ve got to get to know.”
Koop was pleased with the win.
“It was a similar scenario to last week,” he said. “They’ve obviously lost a fair bit of experience, so they’re probably suffering because of that. But our blokes, apart from the first quarter, which was very lethargic, played the last three (quarters) solid enough.”
Cranbourne’s best players were Damien Whitnell, Curt Stevens, Gavin Kerr, Michael Boland, Jarrod Murphy and Frank Martinicchio.
Simon Black was again Doveton’s best player.
“(Simon’s) really finding his feet at this level; he’s a good player,” Ladgrove said.
He was supported by Brad Downe, Peter Pullen, Shaun Semmens, Ryan Morrison and Michael Rodriquez.
