Demons’ hot streak continues

By Melissa Grant
SPRINGVALE Districts continued its winning streak with a 20-point victory over local rival Oakleigh District in Southern Football League (SFL) Division Two action on Sunday.
Fans packed Princes Highway Reserve for the highly anticipated match between the first and third-placed teams.
Few spectators would have left disappointed, with the sides providing an entertaining contest despite slippery conditions.
The Demons were in for a tough contest, especially after losing leading goal-kicker Mark Williams to injury before the game.
The Demons made the most of the breeze in the first quarter, booting four goals in the opening 10 minutes before adding another major before the term’s end.
But the home side stayed in touch, kicking two goals straight in the first term.
The second quarter was a tussle with both sides only able to add another two majors to their tally, the Demons taking a 19-point lead into the main break.
Springvale Districts’ injury woes continued during the game, entering the last half with a depleted interchange.
Key playmaker Lukas Bray sat out the remainder of the match with a hamstring injury while a corky ended the game prematurely for Adam Nichols.
The third term saw the Demons extend their lead to 26 points, but Oakleigh District pegged the margin back in the fourth, finishing 20 points short at the final siren.
Springvale Districts coach Stephen Hughes was delighted with how his team fought out the match.
“We knew Oakleigh would come out hard,” he said. “The boys were aware they had to be on their game.
“It was pretty pleasing considering we had a couple of injuries throughout the game.
“Our start probably saved us.
“We have been really concentrating on starting well so that was good.”
Hughes praised the efforts of forward Darin Joyce, who recently returned from a knee reconstruction.
“He kicked four goals in his second game back which was impressive, so it was a good effort by him,” Hughes said.
The Demons are yet to drop a game, but Hughes says finals are the last thing on his mind.
“It sounds like a cliche, but we take it week to week,” he said.
“There’s no point on concentrating on something that’s seven weeks away because that’s when you will drop one.
“We don’t want to drop a game – we want to build momentum.”
The Demons will look to extend their winning streak next week when they face fifth-placed Ashwood.
While the seniors remain undefeated, it is a different story for the reserves who recorded their first loss for the season on the weekend. Despite a good start, Springvale Districts fell four points short against a rampant Oakleigh District, which outscored the away side four goals to one in the final half.
Dingley v Moorabbin
DINGLEY continued its march towards the finals after crushing the Moorabbin Kangaroos by 91 points on Saturday.
The result never looked in doubt with the home side stamping its authority on the game in the opening stanza, outscoring the Kangaroos six goals to three.
But the Dingoes really turned it on after quarter-time, helping themselves to 11 goals while only allowing the Kangaroos to score one point.
The Dingoes’ win was headed by Adam Quinn, who kicked six majors to bring his season tally to 69, and Daniel Atkin, who put in a best-on-ground performance.
Dingley has a bye this weekend and travels to Lyndale in round 12.