By JARROD POTTER
OUR contenders didn’t fare well on Saturday as Noble Park, Keysborough and St John’s were all beaten in first versus second battles.
Similarities between the three games were uncanny – all Dandenong-based sides were in second place and had lost their earlier battles this year with the higher ranked side.
From there the top dogs flexed their muscles and showed our lads who really held the crown in EFL Division 1, SFL Division 2 and VAFA Division 2 to leave us questioning the originality of the scriptwriters in local football.
SFL DIVISION 2 – Round 17
DESPITE the best efforts of Davor Rajic and Matt Collett (2 goals apiece) the Burra was outclass by the visiting Oakleigh District lads in a mighty display of top-of-the-ladder ascendancy.
Will Gayfer’s defensive efforts were a class above alongside Shaun Dekkers, Shane Dunn and Leigh Williams. Keysborough now face Heatherton away on Saturday 22 August to round out the home-and-away season.
In other results, Doveton Eagles (54) was all but given the Division-2 wooden spoon with a 42-point loss to Hampton (96) while Springvale Districts (110) was thumped by Skye (24).
SFL DIVISION 3 – Round 18
Endeavour Hills’ (68) finals chances came to a halt with a 15-point loss to Black Rock (83), Sandown (94) knocked over Dandenong (59) in the local derby and Lyndale (69) was bested easily by Carrum Patterson Lakes (142).
EFL DIVISION 1 – Round 17
Noble Park came out all guns blazing – managing to fight its way around an injury-depleted roster – and had scores virtually level against Balwyn at the first break, but from there the Tigers started to pounce. Woeful kicking from Balwyn kept Noble Park in it, but it was never meant to be the Bulls’ day with a 8.15 (63) to 13.25 (103) outcome left on the table.
Dan Keely and Ziggie Alwan (2 goals apiece) were solid up forward while Vergim Faik continued his solid run of form in tandem with Sam Monaghan, Dylan Collis and Tim Kelly.
Noble Park will face Lilydale in its last regular season clash before setting its sights on finals.
VAFA DIVISION 2 – Round 17
Belted out of the contest, by conceding seven goals in the first term, St John’s was left to lick its wounds as Ivanhoe AFC continued its rampage in VAFA Division 2. Beaten 13.14 (92) to 20.15 (135), despite a good chase towards the end of the clash the JOCs efforts were grossly ineffective against the mighty Magpies. Goal end champions Aaron Thornton and Tim Edwards (4 goals each) were impressive while Manny Jakwot, Carson Strobel and Jarrod Gaget held their own.
The second ranked St John’s will now face Elsternwick at home Saturday 22 August.
VAFA DIVISION 4 – Round 17
Masala was badly beaten 7.14 (56) to 29.24 (198) against Parkside.
The Tigers’ last match of the year is away at South Mornington on Saturday 22 August.
