By DAVID NAGEL
SOUTH EAST FOOTBALL NETBALL LEAGUE REVIEW – ROUND 3 (split round)
DOVETON ruckman Russell Gabriel may have won the key battle but Beaconsfield won the war, the Eagles always in command during their 25-point victory over the Doves at Holm Park Reserve.
The match-up between Gabriel, the 2009 Norm Walker Medallist, and Scott Meyer, the winner of the last two years, was the main talking point ahead of a match that was supposed to give a clear view of where the Doves really do sit this year.
That view is still clouded, however, with a four-goal defeat at the hands of the reigning champs appearing to be a good result on paper but the Eagles did lead by a comeback-absorbing 40 points at three-quarter time.
Beaconsfield coach Clint Evans will feel comfortable that he has the Doves’ measure while Shannon Henwood will take some real positives from a huge improvement from the corresponding game last year when the Doves were smashed by 113 points.
Henwood made no secret of his respect for Beaconsfield as his players locked arms for his pre-match address.
“We don’t have to like them but we should respect them for what they did last year,” the Doves coach roared.
“We want to be like them and I’m asking every one of you blokes not to set limits.
“If we stick to our defensive mindset, and just stay in the game, we can win this today.”
Meyer got the first tap, Gabriel the first kick, and then both ruckman went their separate ways.
Meyer patrolled half-back, drifting to the centre of the ground for stoppages but leaving the forward-half ruck duties to Shaun Pollard and Taylor Joyce.
Gabriel did likewise, spending most of his time in the defensive half but did drift forward at times.
Meyer was moved forward and played a hand in two of the Eagles’ first-quarter goals, applying a tackle which saw the ball spill to Ben Kerrigan for an open goal, before snapping one himself to open up a 21-point lead.
The Doves cut the margin back to eight-points at the start of the second term but a four-goal burst, in just seven minutes, including two to Damien Johnston, gave the Eagles a buffer that they held for the remainder of the day.
Joyce finished with four for the Eagles, and Johnston and Chris Worner three, while Lachlan Modica made a real impact with his pace around the ground.
Ricky Hayes was a focal point up forward for the Doves, finishing the day with four, while Mitch Pierce, two goals, did test the Eagles’ defence with his pace around the packs.
Mitch Viney was tough in the middle of the ground while Shaun Semmens did a great job in his run-with role on Daniel Mislicki.
Gabriela had the better of Meyer when they did compete while Jarrad Boumann was serviceable in spells at either end of the ground.
Beaconsfield 16.4 (100) Doveton 11.9 (75)
