By JARROD POTTER
SFL DIVISION 2 AND 3 – ROUND 7
SEEING off an early challenge from dogged Highett, Keysborough continued its fairytale, inaugural SFL Division 2 campaign.
The Dogs managed to rattle the Burra early – booting away to a slender lead before the home side began its rise as it’s done six times before this season.
Playing like a side that demands wins of itself, rather than its Casey Cardinia incarnation that rocked up and hoped for the best, Keysborough rallied around its finest.
Tyson King (four goals) is etching his name on the Division 2 best-and-fairest medal week-by-week with another starring effort. The roaming forward was unstoppable overhead and set up a number of goals for fellow forward Jake Dunn (four goals) and the midfield tandem Richard Minney and Geoff Humphries (two goals each).
The fleet-footed Burra took the game by the scruff of the neck – booting six unanswered goals in the third term to put Highett’s chance of victory well beyond reach, even after a last-term fight back.
Burra coach Ryan Goodes – currently sidelined with a broken toe – said the win was just one part of Keysborough’s success as numbers have flourished.
“I know we’re 7-0, but I’m more happy with the way the club’s going,” Goodes said. “Basing our success on how the club is going as a whole – we had 69 guys on the track on Thursday night and that’s what I’m more proud of.
“Being seven-and-zip is fantastic, but the club winning three games today (Saturday) is even better.”
Goodes thought his side has made itself a target throughout the competition with its scintillating start, but had to improve its goal-kicking to stave off all comers.
“Teams are going to go with us – we’re the hunted,” Goodes said. “Teams are going to go with us for a half and play a negative sort of game on us with man-on-man stuff.
“Once the game opens up, we’re able to get clear of those one-on-ones, we seem to get a bit of scoreboard pressure on them.
“We’re averaging 26-27 shots on goal (per game) and kicking was disappointing today, but it’s something we’re working on week-in, week-out and hope it doesn’t cost us a game in the near future.”
First place in its first season, the platinum performances will hopefully continue on Saturday as Keysborough heads to Oakleigh District for a first-versus-second showdown.
Doveton Eagles kept its season alive with a 15-point win over Heatherton. Despite the best efforts of former Lyndale full forward Trevor Kumetaitis (four goals), the Eagles soared higher than the big cats to run home with a wet-sail. Corrie Wilson (four goals), John Kennedy (three goals) and Cameron Ross (two goals) featured prominently on the scoreboard and the stat-sheet as the trio pushed aside Heatherton.
Springvale Districts was brushed aside by Caulfield, with the visitors downed by 65 points. On another down day for the Demons, sitting just outside the relegation zone with a 2-5 record, Springvale Districts was best serviced by Shelton Rosario, Cameron Mcleod and Matthew Pay.
Division 3 was a bloodbath for the local sides as Endeavour Hills, Dandenong and Lyndale fell to big margins.
Only Sandown Cobras emerged triumphant as it demolished Dandenong by 44 points. Sharing the goals around, the Cobras were best services by Matt Davis, Luke Newton and Mitch Davis. For the Redlegs, the horror season only got worse as they slump to 1-6 as Paul Gould, Scott Moody and Luke Harvey toiled for the home side.
The Falcons were smashed by 96 points as Black Rock flexed its muscles on the back of 10 goals from Thomas Dewar. For Endeavour Hills, Daniel Strom, Jake Van Hoesel and Ben Swift were best afield.
Lyndale was similar pushed aside by Carrum Patterson Lakes to the tune of 9.8 (62) to 18.10 (118). Dale Tormey (three goals) continued his stellar season while Alex Bertucci (two goals), Damien Wilsnach and Brenton Miles were the most prospering Pumas.
