Springvale Districts spearhead Mark Williams kicked his 100th goal for the season in the Demons’ win over Hampton on Saturday.By Paul Pickering
SOUTHERN Football League Division Two heavyweights Springvale District and Dingley completed home and away season formalities in fine style on Saturday, annihilating their respective opponents to cruise into a first-round finals bye week.
The top-of-the-table Demons hammered Hampton by 131 points at Springvale Reserve, with spearhead Mark Williams booting the nine goals he needed to crack the magical ton for the season.
While Williams’ goal-kicking feats have been somewhat overshadowed by those of Dingley phenomenon Adam Quinn this season, Saturday’s milestone is just reward for a consistently spectacular year from the colossal Demon.
Sidekick Mark Charles was again lively against the Hammers, bagging six of his own.
After a sluggish start that saw the team trail by four points at quarter-time, Springvale Districts unleashed the fury on Hampton in an 11-goal second term.
In a repeat of the first half, the Demons were again below their best in the third quarter before roaring home with 12 final-term goals.
The return to form of ruckman Darin ‘Big Show’ Joyce was an ominous sign for the Demons’ finals opponents, with the man mountain producing his most dominant display of the season.
Dean Kovacic and Wade Mills were also prominent, while Luke Woolrich’s impressive return to the senior side has put him in the mix for September action.
Meanwhile, the Dingoes made a typically blistering start to their game against fourth-placed Caulfield on Saturday, surging to a 50-point quarter-time lead to dismiss any thoughts of a final-round upset.
Playing-coach Adam Quinn man-handled the Bears defence on his way to a 13-goal haul.
Quinn’s astonishing tally of 129 goals for the season equates to an average of more than 7.5 goals per game.
Almost as impressive in the 104-point win was the dynamic display from classy wingman Steve DeBolfo on Saturday, while ball magnet Bret Lavars’ skills were again on display.
Young gun James Farrugia had his best game since his senior debut in July and is building towards a big finals series.
Dingley’s massive win over the finals-bound Bears is an indication of the gap between the top two teams and the rest of the competition.
As the finals kick off this week, it seems almost inconceivable that the Dingoes and Demons will not face off for the premiership on 22 September.
Both sides will have a week’s rest before renewing acquaintances at Clayton Reserve on Saturday, 8 September – with a grand final berth on the line.
Lyndale v Ashwood
LYNDALE has finished the season in eighth spot after succumbing to Ashwood by 77 points on Saturday.
In a disappointing 2007 campaign, the Pumas won just five games and finish with the lowest percentage in the league.
Among those who could hold their head high on the weekend were Francois Bignoux, Anthony Grace and Ragip Ragipi.
