By Nick Creely
OUTER EAST FOOTBALL
DIVISION 1 REVIEW – ROUND 16
Pakenham has well and truly earned the week off, knowing that the expectations out of the club will continue to rise as it prepares to embark on a launch at its first senior premiership since 2009.
The Lions clinched the minor premiership with a rock solid performance in finals-like conditions against arch rivals, Officer, in front of a healthy crowd at Toomuc Reserve, 10.10 (70) to 7.7 (49).
A stifling breeze wreaked havoc all game to the southern end of the ground, with the Kangaroos kicking into the wind in the first term and taking in a 13-point advantage at the first break despite some typically strong defensive efforts from Ash Green’s side.
But it was the way the Kangaroos took the game on the first quarter that posed a significant challenge for the home side, with the typically industrious ruck work from Sean Roach helping open the game up and get some free ball for its nimble forward line.
But the Lions turned it around with their time in the wind in the second term, backing their style and skill in the tough conditions to wrestle back the lead at half time by 14 points, with Jeconiah Peni’s drive in particular a major feature from the coalface.
And as good sides do, they find a way to halt the opposition’s momentum despite a clear advantage, with the Kangaroos unable to utilise the breeze in the third term, with the Lions intercepting everything off half-back, slowing the game down and forcing the Roos down the line – something that clearly doesn’t play into their hands.
Despite the advantage, Doug Koop’s side managed just the two goals, with the Lions’ defensive set-up absolutely first class as they crucially managed to hold onto the lead at the final change, setting up a 21-point win that will continue to fill them with immense confidence.
Apart from Peni, who looks to be building into some solid form come finals time, Darcy Hope was creative and looked a threat while Jake Barclay returned to the senior side and made the most of his chances to slot two goals.
For the Kangaroos – who despite going down for a third time to the Lions this season – will have taken plenty out of it ahead of their elimination final, with defender James Sloothaak excellent, Roach excelling in the ruck with Joe Baker-Thomas sitting out the game for the Lions, while Ben Kerrigan did some terrific things around the contest.
Monbulk, meanwhile, belted Belgrave but were unable to clinch top spot, 22.26 (158) to 7.7 (49).
The Hawks – who kicked 14 goals to two after half time – will now turn their attention to Sunday’s qualifying final showdown against Doveton at Beaconsfield’s Holm Park.
In other games, Doveton did enough in horrid conditions at Warburton Millgrove, 6.7 (43) to 3.7 (25), while Mount Evelyn got the best of Emerald, 14.18 (102) to 12.10 (82) despite a scare from the Bombers at stages throughout the contest.
The other final to be played on Sunday will be an elimination final between Officer and Mount Evelyn, which will be played at Gembrook.
In Division 2, Gembrook Cockatoo’s season has come to an end with an elimination final loss to Powelltown, 16.7 (103) to 11.11 (77).
The Brookers were right in it at half time, holding a four-point lead, but eventually Powelltown got on top, kicking 11 goals to six across the final two quarters to advance through to another week.
Damien Volta was the best for the Brookers in the loss, while Michael Firrito slotted four.
In the other final, Yarra Junction pipped Kinglake in a thrilling qualifying final at Woori Yallock, 14.13 (97) to 13.7 (85).
