Lions devour Keysborough

By Brad Kingsbury
PAKENHAM dominated Keysborough and dismissed the Burra with contempt on Saturday in their round 12 Casey Cardinia league clash at the Toomuc Reserve.
The league leader methodically saw off the Burra’s first quarter challenge in which they open up with the first three goals, and then made a mess of their defence, booting 13 unanswered second quarter goals and leading by 91 points at the main break.
Losing ruckman Shaun Witherden before the game proved a major blow to the Burra with youngster Dean Gentle left to battle in-form Lion big man Jeremy Everett on his own.
However, it was the home side’s dominance at the fall of the ball that told the tale of the day, with Beau Miller, Luke Walker and Anthony Young bombarding happy forwards led by Daniel Fry (seven goals), John Atwell (six) and Ash Palmer (four) with the ball on a regular and slick basis.
Lions coach Dan O’Loughlin was pleased with the win but warned that there was still plenty of work to be done.
“We really saw this as a danger game and I guess I was surprised by how easily we beat Keysborough,” he said.
“Our accuracy in front of goal was very pleasing and it’s as good as it has ever been at the moment. It allows us to get opposition sides in to a position where we can crunch them on the scoreboard.
“We’ve got to be careful that we don’t get ahead of ourselves.”
Keysborough coach Greg Siwes had predicted his side would not be belted in 2008, but that hope vanished during the second term and the Burra was in damage control after that.
Kris Fowler, Daniel Morland and Shaun Daly served their side well, but the result further demonstrated the gulf between the top side and the rest as finals loom nearer.
In other round 12 results, Doveton drew with Hampton Park, Cranbourne downed Devon Meadows by 12 goals, Berwick lost to Beaconsfield by 119 points and Narre Warren had a regulation 148-point win over Tooradin.