By Hayley Wildes
AROUND THE GROUNDS
EASTERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
ROUND 9
Rowville made it four wins on the trot with a comprehensive win over Blackburn on the weekend.
Both teams entered the day with just two losses to their names, but the Hawks sent a message to the rest of the league that they look ready to challenge at the business end of the season.
It was a tight first half as the Panthers managed to stay with the Hawks to trail by just nine points at the main break, but Rowville upped its intensity in the second half to run away with the win.
The might of Hawk Riley D’Arcy (five goals) up forward was too much as he dominated proceedings inside the forward 50 and made the Panthers pay at every opportunity.
With D’Arcy firing, it was the likes of Aaron Bond and Alex Frawley across the ground who ensured the Hawks claimed a comfortable win, 13.13 (91) to 7.11 (53).
MORNINGTON PENINSULA
DISION 2 – ROUND 10
Since winning its first game of the season back in March, Pearcedale’s season has gone from bad to worse and on Saturday the Panthers lost their 10th game in row, this time succumbing to Hastings at home.
Pearcedale was in the contest at quarter-time thanks largely to Hastings’ inaccurate kicking, but the Blues’ sheer dominance proved too much as they ran out 16.23 (119) to 11.7 (73) winners.
Laughlin Cowell (four goals) and Kaolan Thornton tried their best for Pearcedale.
Much like Pearcedale, Devon Meadows’ season continues to spiral out of control. Having started the season off strongly to own a 2-1 record, the Panthers have since lost eight games in a row and were taught a lesson by Langwarrin on Saturday.
Devon Meadows was never in the contest as Langwarrin – led by Josh Biggs (four goals) and Tim McGenniss – ruthlessly disposed of the Panthers by 103 points, 19.14 (128) to 3.7 (25).
Despite the loss, Riley Thorpe and Lachlan Moss battled hard all day for the Panthers.
GIPPSLAND LEAGUE
ROUND 9
Drouin continues to tick off valuable wins as its season builds more and more steam. Taking on Wonthaggi, the Hawks jumped out to an early lead before the Power found its groove in the second term to be just two points adrift at the main break, 5.2 (32) to 4.6 (30).
After allowing Wonthaggi to get back into the game in the second quarter, Drouin quickly regained momentum with a dominant five-goal to zero third term as Eddie Morris, Bailey Beck (four goals) and Bob McCallum all got heavily involved.
The Power kept battling in the final term, but the Hawks were always in total control and recorded a 25-point win, 12.6 (78) to 7.11 (53).
Taking on the third-placed Moe was always going to be a tough assignment for Warragul.
Despite dominating the first quarter, the Gulls were unable to put the score on the board and then when the Lions kicked into gear after quarter time, they made Warragul pay.
Warragul came out with plenty of energy in the first term and owned much of the possession, but their work yielded just one goal and five behinds. From there, the Lions owned the game as Dylan Farrell (five goals) and former AFL star Bernie Vince (two goals) took over.
A seven-goal to two final term saw the Lions run away with a massive win, 21.14 (140) to 10.9 (69). Mitch Nobelius and Kim Drew were best for the Gulls in another tough day at the office.
SOUTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
DIVISION 2 – ROUND 9
The top-of-the-table clash between Springvale Districts and Keysborough returned an incredible result.
The crowd in attendance was hoping for a classic between two teams that had only suffered one loss each heading into the game, but Keysborough had other ideas.
The Burras went into Springvale Reserve and completely embarrassed the Dees with composure, class and a dominance across the board that would usually be reserved for a match between an undefeated team and a winless side.
Keysborough’s Cory Hargreaves (two goals) got scoring underway with a classy snap less than one minute into the game and it was a sign of things to come.
The Burras’ forwards were just too strong, led by Tim Werner (four goals) and Matt Carnelley (three goals), and the midfield dominance was easy to see as Riet Pal (three goals) and Ryan Goodes ran riot in dynamic performances.
As Springvale Districts began to lose hope of a win, undisciplined play snuck into their game – highlighted by George Angelopoulos giving away a 100-metre penalty that resulted in a second quarter Ryan Goodes goal.
The half-time score line was a whopping 12.6 (78) to 0.3 (3) and the Burras weren’t done yet.
Springvale Districts did lift their work rate in the third quarter and put on three goals, but the fourth quarter produced more Keysborough magic as the Burras eventually ran out 106-point winners, 21.12 (138) to 4.8 (32).
The Doveton Eagles were a class above Skye, holding the Bombers to just one goal in the first half and running way with an 80-point win, 20.11 (131) to 7.9 (51).
Adam Read (eight goals) was absolutely unstoppable up forward for the Eagles, while the work of Stuart Johnson and Nicholas Battle through the midfield was just as important in completely overwhelming Skye.
DIVISION 3 – ROUND 9
A seven-goal to one second quarter set up Hampton Park’s comprehensive win over Ashwood. The Redbacks were in complete control all day as the likes of Shannon Henwood and Ashley Scott powered Hallam to a 14.9 (93) to 4.10 (34) win.
The win was yet another masterclass from Hampton Park, who remain undefeated and two wins clear on top of the ladder.
Endeavour Hills kept Black Rock scoreless in the first half of their clash and went on to record a 71-point win, 13.11 (89) to 2.6 (18). Daniel Strom (two goals) and Sam McLean did as they pleased all day as the Falcons further strengthened their stranglehold on second position.
DIVISION 4 – ROUND 9
After five losses in a row, Hallam returned to the winners list with a resounding win over Lyndale.
The Hawks jumped out of the gates with a five-goal to two opening term and with Ben Coutet, Logan Mills and Jack Sharlassian (four goals) playing dynamic games, Hallam went onto to win by 49 points, 13.12 (90) to 6.5 (41).
For Lyndale, Brad Edwards and Shane Thomas (two goals) were best.
Lyndhurst and Moorabbin were neck and neck for the first three quarters of their game, but the Lightning roared home in the final term to record a strong win.
With Lyndhurst leading by just five points at the final break, it was anyone’s game entering the final stanza, but the Lightning quickly made the game theirs with an impressive fourth quarter.
With it all on the line, Lyndhurst kicked four goals to two to come away with a 13.14 (92) to 11.7 (73) win. Cory Willshire, Zach Woolcock and David Ford (four goals) played vital roles for the Lightning.
