By DAVID NAGEL
CRANBOURNE has had the perfect tune up for next Saturday’s blockbuster clash against Narre Warren with a convincing 15.11 (101) to 6.7 (43) victory over Pakenham at Casey Fields.
The Eagles, who welcomed back big-man Michael Boland for the clash, played supreme football in the first term, using a two to three goal breeze to their advantage.
Goals to Ryan Jones, Troy Tharle, Michael Theodoridis, Boland, Luke Bee-Hugo and Mat Fletcher, gave the Eagles the advantage they deserved after dominating the early exchanges.
Fletcher had his own ball in the opening quarter, while Max Gearon had plenty of it as well despite the close attention of Cory Lenders.
Pakenham, who was without coach Steve O’Bryan, Jason Fisher and Damien Holmes for the encounter, slip outside the top five for the first time this season after losing four of their last five matches.
Pakenham has the bye next weekend while the Eagles take on the Magpies in an absolute rip-snorter at Kalora Park.
Berwick has saved its best football for late to run over the top of a brave ROC by 34 points at Edwin Flack Reserve.
The Wickers led by just five points at three quarter time, but a 7.1 to 2.2 final term resulted in a comfortable, 17.13 (115) to 12.9 (81), victory.
The Wickers kicked the first goal of the final term, to stretch the margin to 12, before the Kangaroos slaughtered some hard-earned opportunities. Chris Potalej, Ben Tivendale, Dale Williamson and Matthew Clarke all failed to convert, while a crucial missed mark in the centre of the ground from Tommy Marks resulted in a goal to the Wickers which started their roll.
Jimmy Phillips and Ben Kearns ran riot in the dying stages to turn an arm-wrestle into a knock-out punch.
The Kangaroos did well to stick with the Wickers for three quarters, after two game-ending injuries in the first term affected their balance around the ground. Berwick host Hampton Park next week while the Kangas welcome Tooradin to Starling Road. Reigning premier Beaconsfield has unleashed a 12-goal final-quarter flurry to steamroll Hampton Park, 22.13 (145) to 11.2 (68), at Holm Park Reserve.
Remarkably, scores were locked at 67 each at the final change before the Eagles clicked into gear to avoid what would have been the upset of the season.
And finally, Doveton has regained its place in the top five with a typically reslient 16.11 (107) to 10.13 (73) victory over Tooradin at Westernport Oval.
While the margin wasn’t overly expansive, the Doves had control of this one from early in the piece with a fast start that knocked the Seagulls back down to earth. The Doves host Beaconsfield next week in a top-five battle at Robinson Oval.
Ladder: Berwick 32 points, Narre Warren 32, Cranbourne 32, Beaconsfield 32, Doveton 28, Pakenham 24, ROC 12, Tooradin 8, Hampton Park 4.
