By JARROD POTTER
SOUTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Division 3 – round 16
DOUBLE chances are on the line this weekend as Lyndale and Sandown remain in the SFL Division 3 qualifying-final hunt.
The battle of the yellow chevrons went to Lyndale, which thumped Endeavour Hills by 76 points.
The match was all but over at half-time, with the Pumas snaring a 69-point advantage, but to their credit the Falcons did not fade away in the second half.
Endeavour Hills pushed Lyndale to the final siren and showed glimpses of future success in the league.
But whatever the Falcons could muster, the Pumas would turn around and double just to rub salt into the Endeavour Hills’ wounds.
A magnificent seven goals from Trevor Kumetaitis led the charge of the Pumas while Ordell Buntine, Jayden Malek and Jared Henshaw also impressed.
We’ve been good the last two weeks and that’s been impressive and you want to be playing your best football this time of year,” Lyndale coach Rod Benstead said.
“It was a pretty consistent effort – we probably got ahead of ourselves a little bit in the third quarter, but other than that I was pretty happy with the performance.”
Ordell Buntine off half-back, Kumetaitis, Trent Day and Ben Cox stood out for the coach – he wants that effort to carry on against Black Rock
Lyndale creeps ahead of the chasing Black Rock and Sandown and has a must-win match against Black Rock in the battle for third spot this weekend at home.
“The first thing I said to them after the game was to prepare yourself as it’s a big game for our club,” Benstead said.
“We haven’t been a constant in the finals so getting an opportunity to play Black Rock is a small final next week… I hope the boys will be switched on… if we are I fancy our chances.”
Lyndale wore black armbands for clubman Freddie Kosenburger, who died during the week.
Sandown overcame a resilient Ashwood to keep the Cobras’ finals shot alive. Led by Frank Martinicchio (4 goals), the Cobras struck after half-time to kick nine goals and run away with the 33-point triumph.
Dandenong was bested handily by Carrum Patterson Lakes – downed by 57 points. Kaine Salisbury made three goals, while Kaine Bundy and Ryan Forsyth were best afield.
DIVISION 2 – round 15
The season appears all but over for Springvale Districts with another heart-breaking loss on the weekend – this time to the tune of 23 points against Murrumbeena.
Brodie Snow and Gavin Vassallo (3 goals each) led the Demons’ attack while Craig Keenan and Clint Brooks also excelled.
Six points off the pace of fifth ranked Oakleigh District, it would take serious mathematics to grant the Demons passage to the finals.
Springvale Districts face Doveton Eagles away on Saturday in its third-last-game of the year.
