By Nick Creely
SOUTH EAST FOOTBALL NETBALL LEAGUE
REVIEW – ROUND 15
It’s a performance that will give everyone involved with Beaconsfield tremendous belief of what they can achieve in 2018.
Often seen as the most impossible task this season, the Eagles inflicted Tooradin-Dalmore with its first loss in almost a year on Saturday, with the reigning premiers almost flawless this season until now.
But the Eagles are in rare form, and are taking the competition by storm with an incredible efficiency in their play around the court.
They sit second, and are the challenger to the Seagulls’ perch on top of the SEFNL tree.
The 49-38 result was significant, with the four quarter consistency the most impressive aspect of the performance against a side that has worn down all of its opponents to date.
With the stars in Danielle Cameron, Kaela Hughes and Bianca Sanzaro sensing the importance of the clash, the Eagles took a two goal lead into quarter time, but impressively scored 17-7 in the second quarter to get the game winning break.
The Seagulls were never going to just lie down, and Cameron along with defenders in Abbie Sheers and also Zoe Mason in the second half, were under the pump but resilient, holding firm despite a strong third term to the visitors to maintain a 12 goal advantage in the final term.
Sanzaro ended up with 21 goals in the end to be a consistent force once again as they held sway with an 11-12 final term, with Tanya Mijovic (17 goals) and Danielle Fedel (11) also providing brilliant support.
For the Seagulls, Alex Duff was perhaps a little down on her usual output but still managed to score 18 goals, but the top side will bounce back quickly.
Down at Toomuc Reserve, Pakenham gave Cranbourne a big shake in a big day for the club with the premiership reunions, but ultimately the Eagles won 54-46.
Now two points clear in fifth with a round to play, the Eagles look in the box seat to secure a finals berth.
In other games across the weekend, ROC just fell short to deliver a dent to its finals hopes against Narre Warren, 46-44.
The Kangaroos were neck and neck with the Magpies all day, but the visitors had just enough class to get the job done.
As a result of the loss, the Kangaroos sit two points out of fifth heading into the last round, and will need a lot to go right from here.
And Doveton defeated Berwick 55-27 at AJ Robinson Oval, all but cementing their spot in the finals with a round left to play.
In the final round of the home and away season on Saturday, Narre Warren will look to build some momentum heading into finals when they take on Berwick, Cranbourne hosts Beaconsfield in a blockbuster at Casey Fields, Doveton and Pakenham will do battle at AJ Robinson Oval, while Tooradin-Dalmore will look to bounce back from a rare loss when they host ROC.
