Prolific ball-winner Troy Humphries was at his best as the Doveton Eagles continued their unbeaten run on Saturday. 29658 Picture: Meagan RogersBy Paul Pickering
IT’S tough to say which of the local Division One sides would have taken more heart from their performances on Saturday: three-goal winner Springvale Districts or 46-point loser Dingley.
The Demons shook off an improved East Brighton to register their second victory of the season.
Coach Steve Hughes and his charges would have considered themselves lucky to hold a six-point lead at the main break after East Brighton kicked 2.11 in the first half.
But luck had nothing to do with Springvale Districts’ five-goal-to-one third term that established a match-winning break.
The home side was led by Gavin Vassallo, who was at his evasive best in booting three goals and finding plenty of footy.
Demon hard-nut Brendan Ashman kicked three of his own, while Dean Rydquist played his best game since arriving at Newcomen Road over summer.
East Brighton was unable to find a damaging forward, which was a credit to a Demon defence led by the in-form John McMurray.
Meanwhile, Dingley mixed it with reigning premier St Paul’s East Bentleigh for three quarters, but couldn’t eat into a 30-point quarter-time deficit.
The persistent young Dingoes would have earned plenty of respect from one of the divisional benchmarks, with emerging stars Luke Bartholomew and Lee Wonnacott continuing their promising starts to the season.
Hard-nosed onballer Daniel Turcarelli was prominent at the stoppages and Tim Yeowart looked comfortable at senior level after starting the season in the twos.
In Division Two, Lyndale lost a 100-minute arm wrestle against Oakleigh District, going down by 14 points, despite kicking an accurate 14.2 for the afternoon.
The Pumas were within nine points at the last break, but managed just two scoring shots to the home side’s six in the final term.
Anthony Lowry and Jake Dowler kicked four goals apiece for the visitors, while skipper Jeff Dudi and Matt Timmerman also acquitted themselves well.
In Division Three, the Doveton Eagles continued on their merry way in beating league newcomer Southern Dragons by 40 points.
The Dragons held the home side goalless in the first term, only for the floodgates to open in a 10-goal-to-two second for the Eagles.
Full-forward Ricky Ramsdale booted another seven – after bagging 11 the previous weekend – to bring his season tally to 29, while ball-winner Troy Humphries snared best-on-ground honours for the second time in as many matches.
The outlook was a lot bleaker for local rivals Dandenong and Sandown, who succumbed by 61 and 54 points respectively.
The Demons gave Skye a seven-goal half-time break, but regained some respectability with a second half revival of sorts.
Adrian Kelly (two goals), Damien Busch and Tanyol Enver were the Demons’ best, with Kelly joining Mathew Baylis (two) and Chris Irvin (two) as the only multiple goalkickers.
Sandown never troubled Mount Waverley at Edinburgh Reserve, losing every quarter, despite an impressive five-goal outing from Clint Sheedy.
Shane Cosstick was again the shining light for the Cobras.
