Cobras catch Demons napping

By Paul Pickering
THE Dandenong Demons survived an almighty scare from the cellar-dwelling Sandown Cobras in Southern Football League Division Three action on Saturday.
The Demons looked anything but rejuvenated by a week’s break, conceding a 13-point deficit to Cobras at the first break before regaining their composure – and the lead – in the third quarter.
“They caught us napping,” Dandenong coach Mick Hawken said after escaping with a 45-point win.
“We were second to the footy and really let them dictate play in the first half.”
The Demon midfield – led again by Rod Benstead – took over in the third term as Dandenong kicked seven goals to one.
For Sandown, Adam Maling, Simon Foster and Michael Robinson were never far from the fall of the ball, yet the Cobras failed to sustain their level of play for the four quarters.
Hawken sang the praises of full-back Brad Rae, who managed to keep Cobra spearhead Clinton Sheedy to a solitary goal.
At the other end, Robert Westin kicked four goals, while David Black and Joshua Conder each booted three for the Demons.
Despite being far from pleased with the performance, Hawken was confident the Demons would be switched on for this week’s crucial clash with Doveton.
Doveton v South Yarra
Doveton’s running brigade found the going tough at South Yarra, with the muddy conditions at East Hawthorn taking their toll on the young Eagles.
In a dour struggle that suited the home team, the eighth-placed Lions scrapped their way to a five-point three-quarter time lead.
The superior fitness of the Eagles became evident in the final term, though, as they overran their opponents to escape with a 13-point win.
Up forward, a four-man firing squad of Geoff O’Neill, Michael Gorman, Gus Toolepai and Stephen Wright each contributed a pair of goals.
Given that Doveton accounted for South Yarra by just 14 points earlier this year, coach Jason Salerno was not surprised by the resistance provided by the Lions.
“They’re always pretty hard at it and they really had nothing to gain except trying to upset our season,” he said.
Salerno is looking forward to returning to Power Reserve this week to protect fourth spot against the Demons.
“It’s a huge game for us,” he said.
“The winner goes a game clear and they’ve probably got one foot in the door for the finals.”