Dingley’s first loss

By Paul Pickering
DINGLEY’S designs on a perfect season in Division Two were dashed on Saturday, as second-placed Heatherton snatched a one-point victory over the Dingoes at Souter Oval.
The loss was Dingley’s first for the season, and first at home since joining the league at the start of 2007.
The Dingoes led the fluctuating clash by five points at the final break, but Heatherton rallied on the back of seven goals from former Adelaide player Brent Williams to effect a major upset – and breathe life into the Division Two season.
For most pundits, it seemed a foregone conclusion that Dingley would progress to the grand final and avenge its loss to Springvale Districts last year.
But the Tunners may yet have something to say about that.
Indeed, injured Dingley playing-coach Adam Quinn recognised the danger of giving Heatherton a sniff on the eve of the finals.
“It’ll give Heatherton belief that we can be beaten,” Quinn said.
Quinn lamented a lack of key-position targets up forward, noting that too much responsibility had fallen on the shoulders of teenager Rob Mullin.
Brett Gniel (four goals) and Bret Lavars (two) looked dangerous pushing forward, but they received little support from their fellow leaders on Saturday.
On the positive side, 18-year-old Tim Ford played his best senior game for the club, while Tolga Ayyuce and James Farrugia acquitted themselves well against stiff opposition.
Quinn is hoping the loss is only a minor hiccup.
“It’ll definitely be a kick in the guts to them and they’ll want to repay the favour, so no doubt they’ll strike back bigger and better than ever this week and in the finals,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lyndale lowered its colours to cellar-dweller Hampton on Saturday, going down by 38 points to become the Hammers’ second victim of the season.
Travis Wilson (two) was a shining light for the Pumas, while Ed McLean chipped in with two goals and ruckman Chris Briggs did a power of work around the ground.
Lyndale had no answer for Hammers spearhead Frank Rugola (six) or young gun Simon Beshara (two).
In Division One, Springvale Districts got jumped by Cheltenham in the first quarter and never recovered, losing by 49 points on the road.
The hometown Rosellas booted six goals to none in the first term, and not even a five-goal haul from Demons star Gavin Vassallo could make significant inroads into that deficit.
The visitors could find some solace in the performance of 16-year-old Jack Sketcher, who continues to improve in his first season of senior footy.
In Division Three, the Doveton Eagles made light work of their crosstown encounter with Dandenong, winning by 64 points to keep their finals hope alive.
Brett Hidgcock and Sean Wild were the Eagles’ best, while Geoff O’Neill, Cameron Van-nes, Steve Ognjenovic and Steve Wright booted three goals apiece.
The Demons were led by former Springvale Districts pair Daryn ‘Big Show’ Joyce (four) and dour defender Glenn Kemp.
The Eagles now need to beat Mount Waverley at home this weekend and hope Canterbury loses at Skye if they are to snatch fourth spot.
Meanwhile, Sandown registered its second victory of the season in defeating Cerberus by 23 points at the navy base.
Shane Cosstick (two) again led the charge, but he received handy support from Hai and Lem Nguyen and Daniel Mulvogue.
Paul Wright booted three goals for the Cobras.
Round 18 match-ups: Division One: East Brighton at Springvale Districts. Division Two: Dingley at Lyndale. Division Three: Mount Waverley at Doveton Eagles, Sandown at South Yarra, Cerberus at Dandenong.