By JARROD POTTER
SOUTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Division 2 – round 12
WAS Springvale Districts Football Club asleep after half-time?
There aren’t many other logical answers to describe their fade-away against Highett at Newcomen Road on Saturday.
The sum of their early work – a 24-point half-time lead earned by Craig Keenan, Rob Johnston and Lance Baptist (two goals apiece) – was not replicated down the final straight as the Bulldogs snatched the eight-point win from the Demons.
Kicking one-goal-nine after the main break, Springvale Districts had its aim off as the economy of Highett stole the match with two less scoring shots.
David Verlardo and Daniel Marshall slotted the last three goals between them to help the Bulldogs storm home to victory.
For the Demons, Daniel Wilson and Gavin Vassallo fought for their touches to earn best afield honours while Justin Doust streamed out of defence and through the midfield all match to great effect.
The loss pushes Springvale Districts outside of the top five and it will be a fight to stay in contention when the Demons clash with Hampton on Saturday.
Division 3 – round 13
Dandenong shone under Friday night lights at Hallam to take a 10-point win over the Hawks. Daniel Atkin led from the front as the coach booted four goals while Brodie O’Loughlin was best on ground with a pair of goals and a game’s worth of hard-fought possessions to his name.
Sandown had a handy percentage booster with a 19.19 (133) to 1.2 (8) win over Endeavour Hills. Feasting on the Falcons were Cobras duo Matthew Davis and Jake Chapman (four goals each) while Daniel Macklin starred in the demolition.
While Lyndale came from behind to knock off Ashwood by 28 points and move up to third on the SFL Division 3 ladder.
