Dingley coach Adam Quinn booted his 100th goal on Saturday.By Paul Pickering
DINGLEY playing-coach Adam Quinn became the first Southern Football League spearhead to crack the ton this year, booting nine goals in the Dingoes’ 197-point mauling of Ashwood on Saturday.
The ex-Noble Park full-forward was mobbed by a crowd of Dingley junior players after slotting through his 100th goal midway through the final term.
In his first year with the club, Quinn is fast becoming a favourite son of the Dingo faithful, as much for his dogged attitude as his obvious talent.
After the match, Quinn all but confirmed he would return to Souter Reserve next year, saying he was 99 per cent sure he will play on with the Dingoes.
Typically, the individual century was the furthest thing from Quinn’s mind on Saturday.
Coming off a shock loss to Oakleigh District the previous week, the coach demanded a merciless demolition of the fifth-placed Magpies.
His troops responded with a ferocious first-half demolition, kicking 18 goals before the main break to open up an 89-point lead.
Quinn snapped the first goal of the third term before giving off another to continue the procession.
Up by 147 points at three-quarter time, and with six goals to his own name, there was bloodlust in Quinn’s eyes as he urged his team to bury the Magpies.
“Let’s be ruthless,” he demanded.
“I don’t want them to score again – let’s make sure we really spoil their weekends.”
While the Dingoes were momentarily distracted by the desire to feed their unstoppable spearhead, the Quinn-centric ball movement did nothing to slow their momentum.
His 100th came courtesy of a characteristically nonchalant mark and goal from 20 metres out dead in front.
The coach then left the field to watch the remaining minutes of the onslaught from the Dingo bench.
Dingley’s final tally of 34 goals included eight from skipper Brett Gniel and five from Jake Moore.
Bret Lavars and Clinton Brooks were typically dominant in the Dingoes engine room, while Jai Smith and Adam Sikora put their noses over the footy on countless occasions.
For Ashwood, midfielder Josh Stanton impressed many at Souter Reserve with his blinding pace and ball-winning ability.
While the post-match celebrations were surprisingly low-key, Quinn was eager to congratulate his team for bouncing back after the previous round’s loss.
“I want other teams to know that if they come up against us after a loss they’re going to be in for a tough match,” he said.
“But we want to play with that same passion every week.”
This week’s match-up with the lowly Murrumbeena Lions is likely to be little more than a warm-up for a grand final preview against Springvale Districts on 18 August.
Springvale Districts v Kangaroos
THE Demons juggernaut rolled on Saturday with a regulation 99-point win over the Moorabbin Kangaroos.
Springvale Districts was never really challenged on the way to recording its 14th consecutive win.
Full-forward Mark Williams looks likely to follow in Quinn’s footsteps before seasons’ end, booting four majors to take his tally to 87.
He was complemented up forward by Nick Hardie, who kicked four goals of his own, while Lloyd Wells, Leighton Roos and Mark Charles each contributed three.
Demons’ midfielder Brendan Ashman continued his month-long purple patch with another best-on-ground performance.
With the much-anticipated bout with Dingley fast approaching, the Demons will relish the chance to rest up during the bye weekend.
Lyndale v Caulfield
WITH no chance of making the finals, Lyndale’s quest for some late season scalps began promisingly on Saturday, the Pumas refusing to take a backward step against the September-bound Caulfield Bears.
Despite a spirited four-quarter performance, the Pumas were outsized and outclassed in going down by 26 points.
Ignited by some first-quarter argy bargy, Lyndale drew to within a goal midway through the second term on the back of majors from Ed McLean and playing coach Matt Caples, but could not sustain the assault for long enough to hit the front.
A three-goal-to-one final quarter typified the Pumas resolve, with Tristan Caples, Christian Egan and Carmelo Giaquinta among those who battled admirably throughout the afternoon.
Ultimately, five goals from the damaging left boot of Caulfield’s Ryan McEvoy was all that stood between the Pumas and a major upset.
Matt Caples’ charges will have another opportunity to salvage their season this week as they travel Princes Highway Reserve to face a red-hot Oakleigh District.
