Above: Springvale Districts on-baller Travis Skidmore was By Paul Pickering
TWENTY minutes of inspired footy allowed Springvale Districts to distance itself from the Division One drop zone on Saturday.
After holding a two-point advantage over Chelsea Heights at half-time, the Demons reeled off five consecutive goals to surge towards an impressive 33-point victory at Springvale Reserve.
In doing so, the Districts Demons claimed their second straight win and all but convinced their supporters that they belong in Southern Football League’s top tier.
After starting the year with four losses, Springvale Districts has now moved clear of cellar dwellers Highett and East Brighton, meaning the Demons can now focus on earning the respect of the divisional heavyweights.
And with burly spearhead Mark Williams making a stellar return from injury on Saturday, that task is not beyond them.
Williams goaled from a set shot minutes before half-time to give his team the lead and the momentum.
After the break, it was Gavin Vassallo who struck the first blow, streaming into goal in characteristic fashion to slot the all-important opener.
Moments later, a crisp passage of play saw Williams mark 30m out, only to chip the ball over the top to Adam ‘Flea’ Nichols for his first goal.
Later, Williams earned himself a free kick in the pocket – running down a laconic Chelsea Heights defender – and capitalised to give the Demons a 20-point advantage.
The lead was extended to 26 points when Travis Skidmore shrugged a tackle and goaled in heavy traffic.
Williams’ fourth for the afternoon came next, before Chelsea Heights stopped the rot with an answering goal minutes before three-quarter time.
And while the visitors pressed early in the fourth, goals to Nichols and Lloyd Wells (two) thwarted any chance of a comeback.
As impressive as the third-quarter blitz was, Springvale Districts coach Steve Hughes was keen to note his team’s willingness to commit to one-on-one footy.
“What we really focused on was accountability,” Hughes said.
“When you turn the ball over you can’t afford to give the other side space, and I think we’ve got a few players that really led the way there.”
Hughes identified lion-hearted utility Brendan Ashman as one of those players to have led a grittier Demons outfit in recent weeks.
Others to impress on Saturday included part-time ruckmen Dean Kovacic and Neil Sjostrom, while Skidmore, Nichols, Brad Scott and Nigel Scott won plenty of the ball through the middle.
Hughes is now eyeing a daunting clash with reigning premier St Kilda City on Saturday, and says his charges are ready for the challenge.
“I think the good thing is the boys are really excited about it,” he said.
“I don’t think they’re intimidated at all, but we’ll know on Saturday afternoon exactly where we’re at as a club.”
Elsewhere on Saturday, Lyndale’s nightmare start to the season continued in a 109-point loss to Murrumbeena at Barry Powell Reserve, while the Dingley juggernaut rolled on through Oakleigh District, the Dingoes winning by 12 goals.
In Division Three, the Doveton Eagles rebounded from a pair of losses with a 118-point demolition of the Sandown Cobras.
Ricky Ramsdale booted seven for the Eagles, while Travis Graeske and Troy Humphries (four goals) were dominant further up the ground.
The win provided the ideal backdrop for Doveton to celebrate the 200th game of skipper and club president Paul Davis.
Meanwhile, the Dandy Demons were beaten but not disgraced by a useful Skye outfit Greaves Reserve.
Boom recruit Darin ‘Big Show’ Joyce kicked seven goals in a best-afield performance for the Demons, but his heroics were not enough to guide Dandy back from a 43-point deficit at the final break.
Round Seven match-ups: Division One: Springvale Districts at St Kilda City. Division Two: Lyndale at Black Rock, Caulfield at Dingley. Division Three: Doveton Eagles at South Yarra, Dandy Demons at Sandown Cobras.
