By Jarrod Potter
SFL – DIVISION 2 REVIEW
ADJUSTING to life without two preeminent pieces of their potential premiership puzzle, Keysborough managed to knock off a fast-starting Springvale Districts to record win number 13.
Without star forward Tyson King and club cult hero Corey Wilkinson down back, Keysborough has to rearrange the decks and find new options in its pursuit of an inaugural SFL finals campaign.While the side had trouble starting afresh without the power-packed tandem, there was more than enough from a team-wide performance to boot 20 goals and ease home against Springvale Districts.
The first quarter was played on the Demons terms for the first 15 minutes as the efforts of 11 and 21 made life in the Keysborough forward line difficult.Luke Morrey (three goals) found some open space to leave the Burra battling up hill to maintain a slender lead at the first break.
It was up to the Burra to strike back – and Richard Minney and Glen Hawthorn delivered as the duo rebounded with aplomb across the Demons’ forward 50.
It brought into the match Keysborough’s not-so-secret forward weapon to replace King – with the big buckets of Davor “Moose” Rajic put to the test.
His clunking of mark after mark close to goal throughout the clash proved pivotal in shifting the tides and allowing Keysborough’s small forwards free reign throughout the rest of the arc.
The match devolved through the remaining stanzas as Keysborough booted 15 goals to three following quarter time – a sensational turn around after the Demons’ early surge.
The fourth quarter was little more than a 25-minute parade held in Keysborough’s honour as the home side charged home.
Rajic (eight goals) was sensational in the forward line – with most passes sticking square in his big dukes, while his kicking was just as promising. Matt Collett (four goals) and Bryce Sutton (three goals) also lined up to join the party as Keysborough charged home to take the 92-point win.
Burra coach Ryan Goodes said the new-look structure was taken to by everyone and was pleased to see the whole side step up.
While Keysborough will have to adapt to the new style, Goodes said t’s all the side can rely on coming into finals with its injury list building.
“I think our mindset wasn’t probably right going in – you know it’s hard to bounce back after losing Tyson, losing Wilko,” Goodes said.
“As much as we’re trying, it’s hard to keep the boys up and about so we were on a little bit of a downer before we got out there and forgot about those things.
“Different styles depending on who we come up against – going down a different path at the moment – late in the season to start a new game style but our hand has been forced.”
Demotion to the magoos seemed to revitalise Rajic as Goodes believes it was the kick up the backside the forward needed to switch on again and become the focal point Keysborough will desperately need come bigger matches against other top brass in the division.
“He (Rajic) was good – been playing in the twos and was hungry to get back into the ones and I think it was the best thing to happen for him. He was disappointed to play in the twos, but it made him hungrier than ever and he’s going to be the key without Tyson down there.”
Keysborough’s inaugural SFL season continues to run on a high. The Burra remains equal on points to ladder leading Oakleigh District and face Highett on Saturday before a top-of-the-ladder battle against the Districts.Springvale Districts were gallant in defeat as Rob Johnston, Dylan Bramble and Matt Thompson threw their bodies around in the defensive end while Morrey was a perennial target up forward.
Doveton Eagles were belted in the other SFL Division 2 match in the local region, downed by 98 points by Oakleigh District.
SFL – DIVISION 2
Keysborough 20.15 (135)
Springvale Districts 6.7 (43)
Keysborough Goals: Rajic 8, Collett 4, Sutton 3, Hargreaves 2, Dalton 2, Morland. Best: Minney, Rajic, Hargreaves, Lazaridis, Hawthorn, Sutton.
Springvale District Goals: Morrey 3, Torcasio, Bagley, Monaghan. Best: Bagly, Green, JOhnston, Morrey, Thompson, Heng.
