By Nick Creely
JOURNAL FOOTBALL REVIEW
EASTERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
DIV 1 – ROUND 10
Wasteful and underwhelming – spectacular and fierce – Saturday’s two-point win for Noble Park 10.18(78) contained all four elements.
Up against fourth placed South Croydon 11.10(76) at Pat Wright Oval, the Bulls quickly saw themselves 14-points down at quarter time after kicking a woeful 0.6.
Another inefficient second term saw the Bulls kick 3.12 at half time, and fall 22-points down against a Doggies side looking to cement itself within the top four.
But an inspiring second half, led from the likes of Kyle Martin – returning from suspension – Tim Kelly and goal kicking machine Tim Harper (five goals), saw the Bulls storm away in dominant fashion with a seven goal to three last half.
The Bulls now sit in fifth spot with a 7-3 record and face a crucial clash with East Ringwood at home on Saturday.
Rowville 10.6(66), meanwhile, fell to Norwood 14.10(94) by 28-points at Mullum Reserve, as the Hawks’ disappointing season continues.
Now 2-8, the Hawks face the similarly struggling Montrose on Saturday in a winnable game for the club
SOUTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
DIV 2 – ROUND 11
Keysborough’s renaissance into premiership favoritism continues to gain traction with another dominant 54-point win over Heatherton, 17.7(109) to 8.7(55).
The Borough’s – off the back of key lynchpins Chris Bryan (five goals), the classy Ryan Goodes and Cory Hargreaves (four goals) – put the visitors to the sword.
Bryan, who actually started the season slowly – kicking four goals in his first three games – has now kicked 29 in his last six.
The Borough’s came out breathing fire, kicking seven goals in the first term to hold a 32-point quarter time lead, and despite some fight by the visitors in the second quarter, the home side proved a class above.
Sandringham Dragons youngster Jacob Bakes was also among the best for the Borough’s, while Riet Pal (two goals) put on a show with a spectacular mark in the forward line.
Springvale Districts 9.8(62), meanwhile, finally got some reward for effort, knocking off Mount Waverley 7.12(54) by eight-points.
It has been an almost year for the Demons, who despite being in most games, have been unable to rise in the key moments.
DIV 3
Hallam 18.14(122) has turned in one of the performances of the season, knocking off the previously undefeated Ashwood 6.1(37) to pinch top spot.
The top two sides did battle in front of a healthy crowd, with no team able to get the running in a slow first quarter, with only the Magpies able to score a goal
But the Hawks sprung to life, and with Shane Thomas (five goals) and superstar Rob Mackay (three goals) firing, piled on the pain in the last three quarters, running amok and surging into premiership calculations.
Doveton Eagles 23.15(153) belted a listless Moorabbin 4.8(32) down at Widdop Crescent, in a powerful performance by the top four fancy.
After a disappointing performance last week, the Eagles came out firing in a six-goal first quarter, before piling on even more pain for the ‘Roos.
Cameron Carmody (five goals), Trent Day (three goals) and in form forward Enayte Samadi (three goals) were all on song, but it was superstar midfielder Corrie Wilson who stole the show, gathering over 50 touches and dominating the game.
In other matches, Black Rock 32.23(215) smashed Dandenong 3.11(29) as expected, with Jets’ star Brenton Rafferty (six goals) best afield, Lyndale 12.8(80) overpowered Lyndhurst 5.4(34) to remain in the hunt, Endeavour Hills 20.22(142) expectedly defeated Sandown 3.4(22) and remain in fifth position and South Yarra 20.18(138) did what they needed to do against Carrum Patterson Lakes 6.7(43).
