By JARROD POTTER
GREATER DANDENONG FOOTBALL REVIEW – ROUND 4
IN THE first significant skirmish for the VAFA Division 2 crown, St John’s brushed aside premiership threat Preston in a 32-point demolition.
Taking to Carroll Reserve for the first time in 2016, St John’s made sure it was a happy home-coming as the goals started piling up from the first bounce.
With a healthy wind at their backs, the JOCs punished the Bullants early, rocketing away to a five-goal lead at the first change.
Aaron Thornton (eight goals) was the main beneficiary of the relentless St John’s clearance work, as the full forward continued his VAFA rampage to take the lead in the league’s goal kicking with 20 already off only four outings.
Around the five-goal mark was where the margin would stay all day as St John’s had answers for every question Preston could conjure.
Backmen Dylan Webb and Liam O’Connor held down the visitors through the main moments of the match, while the run-and-carry off the smalls also impressed.
In-and-under players as well as outside hard-running types flourished for the JOCs on Saturday as Bahaa Koweiss, Daniel Abou-Karroum and Matthew Nicholson flew the flag and then some.
Things got heated through the third term – as harsh words and a few jumper punches from both sides were exchanged – but it was a minor distraction on the road to St John’s third win in a row.
Four goals against the wind sealed the deal and the win gives St John’s the outright lead in VAFA Division 2 as the only undefeated side in the competition heading into round five.
“It’s good because you want to make a statement early on in the year,” St John’s assistant coach Anthony Brannan said. “They’re probably the benchmark in our competition and to knock them off at home is a really good result.
“We don’t like to lose at home and it’s a good start for us here from our first home game.”
Brannan thought the defensive end help up under great pressure from the Bullants, the young midfielders continued to improve while Thornton’s pedigree speaks for itself.
“The midfield – we’ve got the young boys in there this year, Glenn Costas is our captain, Corey Ladson and Corey Ely – they’re 23 now so they need to start standing up,” Brannan said. “Nick Terrill has come to the club and been really committed as well.”
They’ll set their sights on Emmaus St Leos away this weekend with the winning streak well in mind for the JOCs.
“They’ve got a couple of good players and were undefeated until the grand final, so we think they’re a good side,” Brannan said. “Saw them first hand in a praccy match last year and they’re very slick.
“It will be another big game for us and we’re three-and-zip now so it will be four-and-zip next week.”
Keysborough returned to the winning side of SFL Division 2 life in a 14.7 (91) to 11.9 (75) win over Heatherton. Will Gayfer (four goals) traded his usual defensive post in for a forward run to great effect while Danny Morland, Jake Dunn and Shaun Dekkers also featured in the best.
Hallam remains undefeated with its fourth win on the trot – knocking over South Yarra in a 13.6 (84) to 7.11 (53) victory. Shane Thomas (four goals) snagged a little bag while the side continued to be well served in the midfield by Jayden Bubb (two goals), Manny Peresso (two goals) and Matt Neve.
Lyndale – led by Trevor Kumetaitis (five goals) – was too much for Endeavour Hills in a 16.11 (107) to 12.14 (86) victory. Daniel Wilson and Alex Kerr were sublime for the Pumas while Shaun Richards (two goals), Monash Berwick jelly-wrestling champion Daniel Morrison (three goals) and Shane Peake (three goals) also featured in the best.
Doveton Eagles were beaten by the best, downed by 60 points against ladder leading Mount Waverley. Jarrod O’Neill, Kaine Bundy and Darren Ramsdale (four goals) were the Eagles’ finest.
Sandown was no match for Moorabbin, bested 7.6 (48) to 14.16 (100), nor was Dandenong against Ashwood, in a 4.8 (32) to 21.17 (143) blowout.
In EFL results, Noble Park was overrun by Montrose in the final term, downed 8.10 (58) to 10.16 (76). The side couldn’t muster any multiple goal-kickers while Sam Monaghan led from the front alongside Tim Harper, Ziggie Alwan and Craig Anderson.
