By Hayley Wildes
AROUND THE GROUNDS
MORNINGTON PENINSULA NEPEAN
DIVISION 2 – ROUND 6
Pearcedale’s tough start to the season continued on the weekend against Langwarrin.
It was a disastrous day for the Panthers as the Roos ran riot up forward and held Pearcedale to just one goal for the game to claim a 110-point win, 17.20 (122) to 1.6 (12). There were few winners across the ground for the Panthers, but Reece Twyford and Jack McGuiness battled manfully.
Devon Meadows slumped to 2-5 on the season as they were unable to overcome a slow start against Red Hill.
Having kicked just one goal in the first half, the Panthers trailed by 33 points at the main break and whilst they rallied in the second half, it was never going to be enough as Red Hill ran out 45-point winners, 10.19 (79) to 5.4 (34).
Mathew Fletcher and Liam Berry were best for Pearcedale.
GIPPSLAND LEAGUE
ROUND 5
Drouin put up a valiant effort against Sale on Saturday, but it wasn’t enough.
The Hawks battled hard all day, were within touch for the first three quarters and trailed by just one goal at the final break. Unfortunately for Drouin, they were unable to match Sale in the fourth quarter as the Magpies flexed their muscles and finally kicked straight, putting on five goals to two to run out 24-point winners, 14.16 (100) to 12.4 (76).
Liam Anderson and Clayton Kingi were impressive for the Hawks, while Eddie Morris (four goals) was a force up forward.
Warragul was blown out of the water in the first quarter of their clash against Maffra and never recovered.
The Gulls were held scoreless and trailed by 39 points at the first break and despite the best efforts of Kim Drew, Sam Whibley and Ben Hughes (three goals), lost by 64 points, 16.13 (109) to 6.9 (45).
EASTERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
ROUND 5
Noble Park was no match for Vermont on Saturday.
The Bulls, who won their first three games of the season, slumped to their second loss in a row as Vermont ran out 15.25 (115) to 9.9 (63) winners.
Bailey Lambert (three goals) was impressive up forward for Noble Park, while Jackson Sketcher and Ariek Lual battled hard all day.
Rowville also suffered its second consecutive loss, falling to Norwood. The Hawks were in the contest at three quarter time, trailing by just 11 points, but a six-goal to one final term saw Norwood storm home, 12.12 (84) to 6.10 (46).
Despite the disappointing fourth quarter fade-out, Mason Crozier and Bailey Morrish were best for the Hawks.
SOUTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
DIVISION 3 – ROUND 5
It was a barnstorming day for local teams as Endeavour Hills and Hampton Park both recorded massive wins.
Endeavour Hills piled on 12 goals and held Ashwood to just one-point in the first half of their clash to lead by 73 points at the main break.
With Daniel Morrison (seven goals) and Jarrod Marolla (six goals) running riot, the onslaught continued in the second half as the Falcons ran out 120-point winners, 23.5 (143) to 3.5 (23). Daniel Strom and Daniel Cann were dynamic for Endeavour Hills.
Not to be outdone, Hampton Park absolutely obliterated Cerberus.
The Redbacks came out firing in the first half, slamming on 15 goals to one to hold an 84-point lead after the first half of play. Nathan Carver (six goals) was one of 14 individual goal-kickers as Hampton Park won 25.12 (162) to 2.5 (17).
DIVISION 4 – ROUND 5
Lyndhurst was a class above Carrum Patterson Lakes at Marriott Waters Reserve. The Lightning struggled to get going in the first half, to lead by just one goal at the main break, but a dominant third quarter put the result beyond doubt.
The third quarter saw Lyndhurst pile on seven goals to one as Jeremy Jakupi (six goals) and Hamish Browning (four goals) took control of the game. The Lightning ran out 66-point winners, 14.13 (97) to 5.1 (31), kicking 12 goals to two after quarter time.
Lyndale was blown away by Frankston. The Pumas had no answers for the Dolphins up forward as Frankston recorded 44 scoring shots to just 10.
The Dolphins ran out 126-point winners, 23.21 (159) to 5.5 (35). In a tough day for Lyndale, Jayden Denmead and Jamie Morrow were best.
In a tight contest all day, Hallam was unable to get the points against Moorabbin. The Hawks stayed within range for much of the game, but was unable to make serious inroads when it mattered most, falling 12.13 (85) to 10.8 (68).
Sam Ferrari and Cameron Parker were best for Hallam.
NAB LEAGUE GIRLS
ROUND 9
In the final game of the home and away season, the Dandenong Stingrays claimed a big win, but it wasn’t enough to book their place in finals.
Taking on the Western Jets, Dandenong held their opponents to just one goal for the game and put through nine of their own to record a 9.9 (60) to 1.3 (9) win. Brooke Vernon was best afield for the Rays, while Tyanna Smith booted three majors.
The Rays finished the season in sixth, with a 5-4 record.
Meanwhile, the Gippsland Power was unable to find avenues to goal against the Calder Cannons in their final game of the season.
Held goalless for the first three quarters, Nikia Webster finally broke through in the final term with a major for Gippsland, but Calder was in total control, claiming a 5.7 (37) to 1.0 (6) win. Charlize Bird was best for the Power.
Gippsland finished the season with a 1-8 record to sit 12th on the ladder.
