Dingoes ready for Vales

By Paul Pickering
WITH its sights set firmly on a top-of-the-table clash with Springvale Districts this weekend, Dingley brushed aside Murrumbeena with disdain on Saturday to record a 143-point win in the Southern Football League Division Two game.
In a match that was little more than a formality, the Dingoes made the result a certainty by opening up a seven-goal lead in the first quarter. The blitz again confirmed Dingley as a formidable first-quarter prospect under the supervision of playing-coach Adam Quinn.
“Against struggling teams we’ve really focused on putting scoreboard pressure on early and then holding off their resistance after that,” Quinn said.
That said, the Dingoes didn’t exactly shut up shop after quarter-time, kicking another 24 goals before the afternoon’s end. Having notched up his 100th goal against Ashwood the previous weekend, Quinn kicked another nine at Murrumbeena Park on Saturday.
Perhaps more impressive, though, was Steve DeBolfo’s six majors from the wing – described by his coach as “another masterful display”.
In another even performance, Bret Lavars, Clinton Brooks and Darren Andrews were among the most prominent Dingoes. For the Lions, Ashley Rowlands was the sole shining light up forward, kicking five goals from limited supply. In the only low note for the Dingoes, centre half-back Shane Frost rolled his ankle for the second time in two weeks and is in doubt for Saturday’s blockbuster.
Quinn said the bitter taste of a second-half fade-out against Springvale Districts in round eight had very much lingered at Souter Reserve over the past two months.
Having led by 20 points at the main break, the Dingoes conceded 12 goals to five in a fierce second half to go down by 21 in that match.
Quinn is confident that the shame of defeat will spur his troops to a home victory on Saturday.
“We faded off when they started to get a bit physical,” he admitted. “But I think we learnt a lot from that and I’m sure if they try that again we’ll stand up better than last time.”
The undefeated Demons will be fresh for the challenge after the bye week, adding another dimension to the likely grand final preview.
Lyndale v Oakleigh District
LYNDALE proved to be no match for the finals-bound Oakleigh District at Princes Highway Reserve on Saturday, going down by 133 points after a scoreless opening quarter.
Oakleigh District peppered the goals from minute one, firing through 15 scoring shots in the first term while the Pumas failed to trouble the scorers.
After kicking 5.10 in the opening quarter, the Oaks began to find their range in the second, extending the lead to 63 points at the main break.
Despite the best efforts of Tristan Caples, Christian Egan and Ragip Ragipi, the Pumas lacked the potency to match the Oaks. Sitting in seventh spot and well out of finals contention, Lyndale has an opportunity to get back on the winners’ list at home against the Moorabbin Kangaroos this Saturday.