By Nick Creely
JOURNAL FOOTBALL REVIEW
SOUTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
DIVISION 2 – ROUND 15
It’s lucky for Keysborough that premierships aren’t won or lost in July.
Because if they dish up similar to what they did in the first quarter in Saturday’s clash with Murrembeena, the Burras won’t stand a chance with everything on the line.
Although it was a game, 12.10(82) to 8.14(62), that belonged purely to the Lions, the Burra at least stemmed the bleeding in the second half to add respectability to the scoreboard.
The sixth-placed Lions came surging out of the blocks, kicking seven unanswered goals to open up an early 46-point lead, completely stunning a shell-shocked Burras outfit looking to cement itself into the top two.
That lead shrunk marginally to 35-points at the main break, but grew legs in the third as the Lions skipped out to a 49-point lead courtesy of four goal to two third term.
With the game buried, the Burra held the Lions scoreless in the last quarter to end the game in positive fashion. Competition superstar Chris Bryan was brilliant for the Burras and never gave in, while reliable goal kicker Corey Hargreaves (three goals) chimed in with some fine majors.
The Burras won’t be able to afford many more similar results this year as they chase a top two position, and get a chance at redemption when they play Caulfield next week.
Springvale Districts had the bye, and will now host the surging Lions.
DIVISION 3 – ROUND 14
Top-two fancy Endeavour Hills 10.17(77) pulled away with a powerful six-goal last quarter to overpower the Doveton Eagles 7.3(45) at Power Reserve on Saturday.
The match of the round sure lived up to his hype in the first half, with both sides playing a fierce brand of football, and by three quarter time, just nine goals were scored collectively and the Hills led by a solitary point.
But off the back of a brilliant cameo from Nick Gay (three goals), the Eagles ruthlessly denied Doveton any chance of the four points, slamming home 6.7 to just 2.0 in a whirlwind final quarter that will leave opposition clubs quaking in their boots.
Cory Wilson – as he always does – was outstanding for the Eagles all day, and took his tally of goals to 25 for the season after another two.
Hallam 12.17(89), meanwhile, won in workmanlike fashion against Lyndale 6.8(44), further cementing themselves on top of the ladder.
Off the back of a 5.9 to scoreless opening term, the Hawks held the fighting Pumas at bay and cruised their way home.
Phillip Ward and Matt Neve both kicked multiple goals, snaring three and two goals respectively.
In other matches, Sandown 5.5(35) tried hard but to no avail, falling to Carrum Patterson Lakes 17.13(115), Lyndhurst 14.12(96) registered a comfortable victory over Dandenong 7.9(51), Black Rock 8.7(55) held off South Yarra 3.3(21) in a dour affair, and Ashwood 13.16(94) defeated Moorabbin 12.8(80).
EASTERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
DIVISION 1 – ROUND 13
A barnstorming performance by the great Ziggie Alwan (six goals) has inspired Noble Park 15.13(103) to a comfortable victory over their closest Eastern Football League rival – Rowville 9.14(68) on Saturday.
The brilliant, talented and freakish Alwan put the Hawks to the sword in a vintage display, tearing the home side apart in brutal fashion.
With the Bulls looking to bounce back after a disappointing few weeks, they went on a rampage in the first quarter, kicking five goals and opening up a 27-point lead.
Although the Hawks played with more vigour and were tougher at the contest throughout the second to cut that margin back at half time, Alwan inspired the Bulls to a eight goal to five last half to claim the four points.
More importantly, the Bulls go up into third spot on the Division 1 ladder ahead of a big clash against finals fancy Balwyn on Saturday.
