By JARROD POTTER
SOUTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE – round 3
DISTRICTS could not curtail the Bulldogs in Division 2 Seniors, as Highett claimed a 24-point win on Saturday.
The Demon-offensive was power-packed in the first term as six Springvale goals flew through. Much of the same continued in the second term with Matt Thompson (3), Gavin Vassallo (2), Clinton Brooks (2) and Chris McTaggert (2) extended a 25-point margin at half-time.
The coroner knows where to find remnants of the Demons’ lead, disintegrating as the Bulldogs savagely kicked 10 goals in the third term to take back the lead emphatically at the final change and hold on through the last term for the 18.13 (121) to 14.13 (97) win.
Thompson, Craig Keenan and Brodie Snow were best afield for the seventh placed Demons which face Hampton at home this weekend.
DIVISION 3
CLOSE matches reigned supreme in Division 3 as Sandown, Lyndale and Dandenong claimed close victories. Sandown had to hold off a fast-finishing Endeavour Hills to retain a one-point win at Barry Simon Reserve. Clint Sheedy booted six in the torrid conditions while Matt Menzies, Ben Adams and Lee Robinson were best afield for the Cobras.
Dandenong also had to hold off a rapid sprint to the final siren by Hallam, with the Hawks kicking three final-term goals to bring the margin to four. Kaine Bundy and Warren Kairns picked up two goals in the wet weather for the Redlegs while Matt Van Schajik, Brodie O’Loughlin and Shannon Brown were in the best.
A three-point win for Lyndale capped off the closest Saturday yet in SFL Division 3, as Ashwood fell away after a strong start. The Pumas fought back into the clash with goals to Mark Greene (2) while Tommy Clappers, Brett Colbert and Matt Stuart were best afield.
CASEY CARDINIA FOOTBALL LEAGUE – round 4
THE horror story that is a trip to Fox Road became a nightmare for Keysborough on Saturday, the Burra monstered to the tune of 129 points by a ruthless Narre Warren. It became clear very early in the contest that the Burra would become the Magpies’ 40th awesome display from the hosts, who skip a game clear at the top of the table. Despite the efforts of Richard Minney, Danny Morland and Geoff Humphreys through the midfield, the Burra simply had not enough fingers to plug holes. When they went forward, the Burra were confronted by a miserly but attacking Magpies defence, while down back, the visitors had no answer to the size and strength of Kerem Baskaya. The burly full-forward kicked eight goals, while dangerous left-footers in Justin Marriott and Jackson Parker chipped in with four and three goals respectively. Positives were difficult to find for the Burra, but the return of veteran Corey Wilkinson and the injection of Gerard Smith are good signs for the remainder of the season.
Humphreys, with three goals, and Davor Rajic with two, were the main contributors for the Burra, while Bryce Sutton toiled manfully in the ruck.
Things don’t get any easier for Keysborough, who this week host Berwick – the Wickers moving into second place on the ladder after a gutsy 26-point win over perennial powerhouse Cranbourne.
In other games on the weekend, Beaconsfield defeated ROC, Pakenham proved too strong for a tiring Tooradin, while Doveton continued its roller-coaster start to the season with a comfortable victory over Hampton Park.
