By Glen Atwell
MOUNT Waverley firmed as the dark horse in the race for the division-three Southern Football League premiership after thumping the lowly Sandown Cobras by 119 points at Edinburgh Reserve on Saturday.
The game resembled a training drill for the in-form Mountain Lions and, despite leading by only a goal at quarter-time, Mount Waverley had kicked six goals clear by the main break.
A scoreless third quarter ensured the Cobras would remain winless this season as the Mountain Lions recorded their highest score and biggest win of the year.
Sandown recorded its lowest score of the year and pressure is no doubt mounting on the coaching staff at Edinburgh Reserve to turn the tide on a terrible season.
In good news for the club, Charlie DiMartino returned to the field after serving a two-week suspension for striking.
“IT was one of those days.”
That was Dandenong coach Mick Hawken’s assessment of the 109-point division-three flogging his team received from North Kew at Greaves Reserve on Saturday.
Late withdrawals, bad bounces and even a holiday to Turkey left Hawken gobsmacked. “You normally have one of those days every season, ours was on Saturday,” he said.
The Demons lost Sam Fus, Stephen Coats and Steve Davis to injuries, while Tony Enver has just begun an eight-week holiday to Turkey.
“And I don’t normally complain about the umpiring, but it was disgraceful,” Hawken said.
“They’ve tightened up on back-chat and that’s great, but what about when the umpire chats back to the players?”
By half-time, the Bears had booted 13 goals, the Demons, just one. Without Coats heading the forward-line, Dandenong lacked the height and muscle to convert attacking plays into scoreboard pressure.
Matthew O’Keefe kicked six goals for the Bears. Best for the Demons were Robbie Mackwell and Chris Hawken.
Coach Hawken said he had not given up hope of playing in the division three finals and was looking forward to a more successful second-half of the season. “We’ve been struck down with injuries. If we can get back to missing only one or two players every week, I’ll be thrilled.”
Lyndale v Murrumbeena
THE division two Lyndale Pumas registered their second win of the season, beating Murrumbeena by 31-points at Barry Powell Reserve on Saturday.
It was a win welcomed by the Pumas’ supporters and the club’s first since round two. Damien Wilsnach kicked three goals for Lyndale, Matt Caples and Rod Benstead booted two each.
Relying on a fast start, the Pumas raced to 19-point quarter-time lead and retained the momentum in the second term. Lyndale led by 22 points at the main break, but the game was far from over.
Notorious for failing to play four quarters of quality football, Murrumbeena looked set to pounce on any concentration lapses. And they did.
It came in the third quarter, when the Pumas slowed their work rate and Murrumbeena took control, kicking four goals and narrowing the margin to just four points at the final break.
Lyndale coach Danny Scott remained calm and collected at the three-quarter-time huddle.
“There was a lot of noise at the huddle and I just told the boys to settle down and not to panic,” he said.
“We had to regroup and think things through, I was lucky enough to have a few tricks up my sleeve as well.”
Scott’s masterful wave of the magic wand worked. The Pumas kicked four goals and held the Lions goalless in the final term. It was the rotation of the midfield that secured the victory, Scott said.
“I was lucky enough to have our quickest team fit and ready to play. We rotated players through the middle all day, so our boys had plenty of legs left.”
The club is targeting success in the second half of the season and Saturday’s win has provided the Pumas with a sturdy launching pad.
“It’s good to get the monkey off the back,” Scott said. “We’re looking forward to the next couple of games and winning a few more.”
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Canty v Springvale Districts
SPRINGVALE Districts got the fright of its life from division two cellar-dweller Canterbury on Saturday. The Demons recorded a nine-point victory after surviving a second-half charge by the bottom side.
After an even first quarter, the Demons kicked away to 21-point half-time lead and looked likely to run all over their opposition. But Canterbury returned to the field intent on staying in the contest.
The Cobras outscored the Demons in the second half but it was too little too late.
Sareth Soeun starred for the Demons, booting four goals and playing a best-on-ground game. Brad Heuvel booted two goals and continued his good season.
Springvale remained fourth on the division-two ladder, a position that will come under siege on 17 June.
The Demons clash with fifth-placed Oakleigh Districts and each have won five games this season. The result could determine who plays finals football this season.
