By Hayley Wildes
AROUND THE GROUNDS
MORNINGTON PENINSULA NEPEAN
DIVISION 2 – ROUND 8
Pearcedale’s horror 2019 season continued on the weekend as they were ripped a part by Tyabb – a team that owned just a 1-7 record prior to Round 8.
The signs were ominous from the outset as the Yabbies slammed on seven goals to one in the opening term and the pairing of Matthew Ravenall (seven goals) and Michael Altenkirch (five goals) was too much for the Panthers’ defence.
With just four goals for the day, Pearcedale lost by 88 points, 20.9 (129) to 4.13 (37). Despite the result, Jordan Leinmueller and Max Gearon battled hard for Pearcedale, who fall to 1-8 on the season and sit second bottom.
Devon Meadows lost to Seaford, but it was a loss that was a step forward for the Panthers. Taking on the Tigers, who were 5-2 before Round 8, the Panthers, who had just two wins to their name, were in the contest all day.
In a gripping contest, Simon Hallsworth and Brodie White dominated for Devon Meadows as they fought tooth and nail for the win, but eventually Seaford did enough to claim a nine-point win, 9.8 (62) to 8.5 (53).
GIPPSLAND LEAGUE
ROUND 7
Drouin’s 2019 campaign continues to build nicely, this week taking care of Morwell on the road to maintain touch with the top four.
While the Tigers battled manfully all day, the class of Eddie Morris, Clayton Kingi and Bailey Beck (three goals) shone through to ensure the Hawks got home by 18 points, 13.15 (93) to 10.15 (75).
In a game that saw Warragul take on the bottom-placed Traralgon, the Gulls were embarrassed in a disappointing showing at home.
Warragul headed into the game with a great chance to grab its third win of the season and stay within touch of the finals race, but things quickly went south.
Trailing by 17 points at half time, it only got worse after the main break as Traralgon piled on nine goals to four in the second half to run out 61-point winners, 15.11 (101) to 6.4 (40). Matt Rennie (four goals) was a lone hand for the Gulls.
EASTERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
ROUND 8
In a clash between local foes in the Eastern Football League, Rowville and Noble Park played out an enthralling battle at Seebeck Oval.
It was a clash that shaped as an intriguing one and that’s exactly how it played out.
The Bulls came out hard early to lead by 14 points at the first break, but the Hawks responded and at the main break, Noble Park led by five points, 5.3 (33) to 4.4 (28).
The second half would turn into a classic encounter and, with stars from both teams putting on a show – including the likes of Kyle Martin and Nikolas Schoenmakers – it was a great game of football. With a quarter to play, the Bulls held a slender one-point lead, 7.4 (46) to 6.9 (45).
After an intense final few minutes, Rowville did enough to get over the line by two points, 10.13 (73) to 11.5 (71), in the game of the season. There were two lead changes in the final 30 seconds of play, with Tom Lockman slotting a long-range set shot after the siren to secure victory for the Hawks in rapturous scenes.
Inaccuracy in front of goal almost cost the Hawks, but Steven Georgiou (four goals) was stellar, while Ben Giobbi and Lachlan McDonald were impressive across the ground. For the Bulls, Josh Tour and Tom Glen gave it everything.
SOUTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
DIVISION 2 – ROUND 8
There were some absolutely massive wins for local teams this weekend.
The Doveton Eagles bounced back in style from two consecutive losses to defeat Heatherton and solidify their place inside the top four.
In a blistering offensive masterclass, the Eagles slammed on 28 goals – led by Jye Sigersma (six goals), Adam Read (five goals) and Nicholas Battle (four goals) – to run out 125-point winners, 28.18 (186) to 9.7 (61).
Cory Wilson and Michael Callinan (two goals each) enjoyed themselves as they completely monstered their Heatherton opponents.
Keysborough was far too good for Caulfield and remain undefeated with six wins on the board.
The Burras’ forwards were a class above the Caulfield backline and it showed from the outset as the likes of Tim Werner (six goals), Geoffrey Humphreys and Matthew Carnelley (four goals each) ran riot inside the forward 50.
While that trio made plenty of noise, Aaron McIlroy was a man on a mission in the middle as Keysborough recorded a 100-point win, 21.10 (136) to 5.6 (36).
DIVISION 3 – ROUND 8
Hampton Park’s dominant season continued against Black Rock. The Redbacks, who are undefeated, jumped out to a 37-point lead at the first break and never looked back as Nathan Carver and Aaron Thornton (five goals each) feasted up forward.
With those two starring, the likes of Ryan Pearson and Phillip Nanfra were impressive across the ground as Hampton Park ran out 96-point winners, 20.17 (137) to 6.5 (41).
Endeavour Hills maintained their stranglehold on second position with a hard-fought 15-point win over Clayton at home.
With scores level at half time, the game was in the balance, but Clayton threw the first punch in the second half to take a 13-point lead into the final break.
A dominant final term – which saw Endeavour Hills boot four goals and keep Clayton scoreless – with Ben Holland and Ben Carter taking over down the stretch, led the Falcons to an impressive and important win, 9.10 (64) to 7.7 (49).
DIVISION 4 – ROUND 8
Lyndhurst suffered its first loss of the season, falling to South Yarra.
The Lightning were in control in the first half and led by 13 points at the final break, but South Yarra came roaring home with five goals to one in the fourth quarter to clinch a 10-point win, 10.8 (68) to 9.4 (58). Cory Willshire and Jakson Post were best for the Lightning.
In what was an arm-wrestle all day, Hallam fell agonisingly short of Carrum Patterson Lakes.
The Hawks led by one goal at half time, and with scores level at the final break, it was on for young and old. Unfortunately for Hallam, they couldn’t quite get the job done down the stretch, falling 10.9 (69) to 9.9 (63). Brendan Reynolds and Joel Danilo were best for Hallam.
Lyndale trailed by 45 points at the main break against Moorabbin and were unable to get close to the Kangaroos in the second half.
Trent Isbister and Anthony Koutsoubos did all they could, but the Pumas were completely outplayed, losing 14.12 (96) to 5.8 (38).
VFLW
ROUND 4
The Casey Demons suffered their first loss of the season, falling to the Southern Saints in a great battle at Casey Fields.
Trailing by three points at the final break, the Demons wasted opportunities in the fourth quarter by scoring five behinds and the Saints took theirs as Tara Bohanna booted two goals to lead Southern to a 3.5 (23) to 1.6 (12) win.
Chantel Emonson (one goal) and Sarah Lampard were impressive for the Demons.
