The Kangaroos are on a roll

Kai Linde was unable to break out of the Ashley Brown tackle down at Starling Road. 241976 Pictures: ROB CAREW

By Nick Creely

OUTER EAST FOOTBALL

REVIEW – DIVISION 1 (ROUND 10)

After an agonising six-point loss in the opening round to Monbulk, Officer was marking down Saturday’s clash with the Hawks in the diary with plenty of anticipation.

The Kangaroos did little wrong in the defeat, coming up against a well-drilled machine almost impenetrable on its home deck.

But the Kangas got one back, inflicting the Hawks with their first loss of the season, a 26-point win at home, 9.11 (65) to 5.9 (39).

Doug Koop’s side is well and truly on a roll, with four wins on the trot after a wobbly start to their 2021 campaign

“We’d been looking forward to this match all year, Monbulk managed to get the better of us in Round 1 and as a club we really wanted to return the favour,” a typically honest Koop told the Gazette.

“To get the four points was pleasing particularly off the back of a hard fought game at Seville.”

The Kangaroos got the jump, surging out to a three-goal lead at quarter time, and despite the Hawks always looking to work its way back into the contest, the home side had every answer to every challenge.

In particular, the third term was one Koop would be pleased with.

Kangaroo Michael Dompietro charges away. 241976

After taking in a 19-point half-time lead, the Kangaroos skipped out to a 33-point lead – ultimately setting up a lead unable to be reeled in.

James Cairns played one of his best games for the club, Jake Ingaliso provided customary drive as he continues a fine season, while Ben O’Loughlin and Dylan Chapman were immense.

Hawks big man Johnathon Hevern was the best on the day for the visitors.

Koop said that with key players still out injured, his group has taken on the challenge and really driven the standards.

“For me what I’ve been impressed with is our depth. There were no passengers on the weekend and a few blokes who were very unlucky to miss out on a game,” he said.

“Our best footy is still ahead of us, like most clubs we’ve still got a few very good players who are yet to feature and we’re looking forward to welcoming them back in the coming weeks. “

He added that like last week against a fellow fancy in Seville, there is a growing maturity developing within the group.

“The Officer of old would have folded under the pressure in the last two games,” he said.

“These wins have demonstrated how far we’ve come as a club and we hope they’ll set us up as we look to the back half of the season,” he said.

Down at the glorious Mick Morland Reserve in Clyde North, Berwick Springs saluted its home fans for the first time with a 42-point win against Belgrave, 9.17 (71) to 4.5 (29).

The crowd came out on their droves in what was a memorable day of community football.

For the first time the Titans could play in its new, and outstanding ground, and while it took time to get going in a scrappy first half, Rodney Benstead’s side clicked into gear with an explosive performance, albeit with a bit of inaccuracy.

The Titans had kicked 4.4 to half-time, and could have won by a lot more had it not kicked 5.13 across the second and third terms, but would be pleased with its quick ball movement and rock-solid defensive structures.

In particular, the likes of Jarrod Hocking, Dean Waterstone, Aidan Nelson and Dysan Morris (two goals) had a big say on proceedings, with the Titans really beginning to reap the rewards of continuity and some returning players.

At their best, the Titans look well-drilled and superbly coached as they find their feet in the AFL Outer East competition.

What’s exciting is the fact that the Titans play the next six games at its new home as they look to bank more wins, with a potential spot in finals not out of the question if the group can get a real roll on and claim a few scalps along the way.

At Heatherbrae Recreation Reserve in Officer, Gembrook Cockatoo and Seville play out a nail-biter, but in the end the Brookers had just enough in the tank to hold the Blues at bay, 7.8 (50) to 7.5 (47).

The Brookers surged out with an impressive first half, taking in a 30-point lead into the major break, but the Blues worked their way back into the contest with an impressive five-goal third term to level up the scores.

In a nail-biting last term with momentum swinging rapidly, the Brookers did just enough to bank the all-important four points, and more importantly are well entrenched inside the top three with an impressive 5-1 record.

Brooker Brayden Weller marks strongly. 241977

Tyler Joosten was best afield for the Brookers, while Nathan O’Keefe provided a constant threat to snag two goals for the visitors.

The Blues will need to start banking some wins to stave off pressure from Berwick Springs in seventh.

Mt Evelyn continues to knock every challenge out of the park, banking a 22-point win on the road against Emerald, 8.13 (61) to 6.3 (39).

It took until the third term for Mark Fisher’s well-drilled and consistent Rovers to break clear with scores level at half time, putting together an ultra-impressive four goal to zero third term to run away with the victory.

It’s always the sign of a good side that when the switch needs to be flicked, it’s flicked, and the Rovers did just that with its leaders standing tall.

The ladder-leaders had many winners across the park, namely Noah Beamish, while Daimon Kift will almost certainly be in the votes again with another classy display.

Kaleb Van Beek slotted another three majors to take his tally to 17 for the season, with Cal Urquhart now up to 21 himself with two more goals.

For the Bombers, Matt Livermore and Jarrod Marshall were in the best.

Healesville had the bye.