Nigel Scott’s hanger (above) was a rare highlight for Springvale Districts in their loss to Cheltenham on Saturday, while Adam ‘Flea’ Nichols (right) felt the pain after being grounded in a heavy collision.By Paul Pickering
IF there was any doubt as to whether Dingley had earned its flag favouritism in Division Two of the Southern Football League, it can now be cast aside.
The Dingoes made light work of hometown Heatherton in the battle of the division’s two unbeaten sides, jumping to a four-goal lead within 15 minutes and pressing on to win by 57 points.
It had been billed as a grand final preview, but Heatherton looked vastly outmatched by the determined Dingo pack.
While Dingley playing-coach Adam Quinn conceded that it may have been an anticlimax for the home crowd, he would have had it no other way.
“I thought it was a great performance from us in a game that wasn’t necessarily a great spectacle,” Quinn said.
“Our desperation, attack on the footy and pressure was fantastic.”
Quinn was particularly pleased with ruckman and co-captain Chris Morgan, who had been challenged by his coach during the week.
“I had a dig at him the week before for not standing up and being accounted for, but I thought he was fantastic on the weekend,” Quinn explained.
“He did everything I asked of him. It was probably his best game for the club.”
On-baller Daniel Turcarelli was also singled out for his influence on Saturday’s game, while mobile big men Andrew Frost and Clinton Brooks led the goal-scorers with three apiece.
Quinn booted two of his own, but is likely to miss up to a month with a nagging knee injury.
While he is wary of an emotional letdown from Saturday’s highly-anticipated clash, Quinn is confident that his Dingoes are professional enough to motivate themselves.
“I think complacency will probably be our biggest danger, but we still haven’t achieved anything, so the hunger is still there for the guys.”
That theory will be tested when Dingley faces Lyndale this weekend.
The Pumas claimed their first win of the season – and edged out of the relegation zone – in defeating win-less Hampton by 47 points on Saturday.
After trailing by three goals at quarter-time, Lyndale booted six goals to one in the second and ran away with the game after halftime.
While Pumas coach Matt Caples was delighted with all his troops, his highest praise was reserved for dominant ruckman Chris Briggs, winger Daniel Bastin and half-back Tim Lovell.
Caples described the after-match mood as a mixture of relief and excitement.
“It was definitely good to sing the song.
“I think it was the first time for a few of them,” he said.
In Division One, in-form Springvale Districts was looking to claim its first significant scalp of the season against Cheltenham, but the visiting Rosellas had other ideas.
The Demons slumped to a six-goal deficit at quarter-time, and, despite an improved performance thereafter, the margin remained the same for the rest of the match.
Springy again struggled to find a likely forward target, with midfielders Gavin Vassallo and Waata Wells leading the way with two goals each.
At the other end, former Noble Park forward Andy Taranto booted eight for the Rosellas, while Demon defender John McMurray held strong under sustained attack.
Elsewhere, it was a dark afternoon for the locals in Division Three, as the Doveton Eagles, Dandy Demons and Sandown Cobras all suffered convincing losses.
The Cobras were no match for ladder-leader Mount Waverley, going down by 148 points, while the Demons lost to South Yarra by 127 and the Eagles lowered their colours to Canterbury in a 54-point defeat.
Round nine match-ups: Division One: Springvale Districts at East Brighton. Division Two: Lyndale at Dingley. Division Three: Canterbury at Dandy Demons, Sandown Cobras at Skye, Doveton Eagles at Cerberus.
