Mick Hawken did his best to inspire his side on Saturday, but to no avail as the Dandy Demons capitulate to Black Rock. By Paul Pickering
THE Dandy Demons and Doveton Eagles both squandered opportunities to stake their claim on a finals berth in the Southern Football League’s Division Three competition on Saturday.
The injury-ravaged Demons were reduced to 16 players in the second half of their clash with Black Rock at Greaves Reserve, allowing the Rockers to canter towards a 76-point victory.
Dandy went into the game without key players David Black and Rodney Benstead – who both broke bones in the Demons’ loss to Canterbury a fortnight earlier – and suffered further casualties before the main break.
Until then, it was only the Demons’ inaccuracy which allowed Black Rock to build its 15-point lead – with both sides registering 15 scoring shots in the first half.
While Demons coach Mick Hawken could not have predicted that his side would fall away so badly after the break, he conceded that a lack of depth had cost the team in three consecutive losses.
Among the Demons to hold their heads high were bookends Robbie Westin – who booted three goals – and full-back Adrian Piccioli.
Hawken was also keen to acknowledge the efforts of ruckman Kyle Snylman and solid defender Ryan Dukes, while Vaughan Geddes was again dominant on the wing.
With two games left in the home and away season, Dandy has slumped to fifth spot on the ladder.
Despite the injury woes, Hawken is confident his charges can bounce back against ladder leader Mount Waverley this Saturday – having thrashed the Mountain Lions by an even 10 goals at home in round eight.
“We’ve had the wood over Mount Waverley the last two times,” Hawken said.
“They’d be a little wary of us because we seem to match up really well against them.”
If the Demons can pull off a brave away victory, they will put the pressure on fourth-placed Doveton to win at least one of its next two games against Skye or Black Rock.
Doveton v Canterbury
The Eagles may also rue missed opportunities in the first half of Saturday’s 39-point loss to Canterbury.
Doveton’s inefficiency – kicking 5.10 before the main break – allowed the Cobras to gather momentum for a nine-goal-to-two second-half barrage.
While there were few positives for the Eagles, Sean Wild and Dylan Chadwick both had their best games of the season.
Classy on-baller Bret Hidgcock – who is an odds-on favourite for the Eagles’ best and fairest award – was also one of the few Doveton players to win his position.
Perched precariously in fourth spot, the Eagles are no certainty against Skye at Steve Thompson Oval this Saturday – with the rugged Bombers always tough to beat at home.
Sandown Cobras v Skye
Sandown recorded its third win for the year by holding off the fast-finishing Bombers at Edinburgh Reserve on Saturday.
Having led all day, the Cobras looked comfortable going into three-quarter time with a handy 30-point cushion.
Skye came storming back in the final term with five goals to Sandown’s one, but the Cobras were saved by the bell.
The nine-point victory has all but guaranteed that Sandown will escape the dreaded wooden spoon, with South Yarra now six points in arrears with two rounds left.
Bao Le booted three goals for the Cobras, while Enda Reilly was named best on ground.
