By Nick Creely
JOURNAL FOOTBALL REVIEW
SOUTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
DIVISION 2 – ROUND 16
A Tim Werner-inspired Keysborough has managed to claim a steady and vital 19-point victory over Caulfield on Saturday, 5.8(38) to 8.9(57).
The two top-four sides battled it out in tough and windy conditions at Koornang Park, with Werner booting four goals in a best afield display to inspire the Burras to victory.
Just the three goals were scored between the two sides at half time, before the Burras slammed on four goals in the premiership third quarter to surge clear by 19-points with a quarter to play.
A defensively minded Keysborough team then shut the game down against the breeze in what is an important result in their pursuit of a top-four position.
Aside from Werner, Chris Bryan was outstanding in the ruck and Riet Pal provided a presence.
Meanwhile, an extraordinary five-goals were kicked collectively in the clash between Springvale Districts and Murrumbeena, with the Demons going down by seven points.
The final scoreline read 2.5(17) to 3.6(24) with both sides struggling to adjust to the windy conditions.
DIVISION 3 – ROUND 15
There were no real shocks in Saturday’s Division 3 action, with all the favorites claiming the four points.
Hallam kept its foothold at the top-of-the-ladder with a relatively easy 78-point win over Carrum Patterson Lakes, 6.3(39) to 17.15(117).
The Hawks showcased just how even they are across the board, with 11 different goal-kickers getting the job done.
Strangely enough, the home side actually held a narrow lead at quarter time, before the Hawks flexed their muscles in a powerful five-goal third quarter.
Doveton Eagles, meanwhile, held off a determined Lyndale to register a gritty 12-point victory, 9.7(61) to 11.7(73).
In a game where the Pumas simply wouldn’t go away, the Eagles led narrowly at every change before pushing ahead and showing enough class to get the job done in an intense final term.
A classy performance from forward Adam Read (four goals) proved the difference in the end, while Corrie Wilson once again had the ball on a string.
The win is a crucial one for the finals bound Eagles, who are still entrenched into fourth spot and breathe down the neck of the top sides.
In other results, premiership smoky Endeavour Hills 17.15(117) barely got out of second gear against Dandenong 4.2(26), Lyndhurst 5.6(36) fell short against Black Rock 8.10(58), Sandown 3.5(23) suffered a heavy defeat to Ashwood 22.16(148) and South Yarra 15.15(105) were too strong for Moorabbin 8.7(55).
With just three rounds of football before finals, the top five currently consists of Hallam, Ashwood, Endeavour Hills, Doveton Eagles and South Yarra.
EASTERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
DIVISION 1 – ROUND 14
A disappointing performance from Noble Park on Saturday has given the Division 1 finals race a bit of a shake-up.
At home against a middle range side in Norwood, the Bulls fell by 27-points, 8.11(59) to 13.8(86). Norwood found its range in front of goal in a terrific first quarter, taking a 10-point quarter-time lead.
But the Bulls simply couldn’t get the game on their terms in the second, conceding four goals and failing to score a major as they faced a hefty deficit of 32-points.
Despite fighting back briefly in the third, the visitors surged clear in a shock result that would have rivals Doncaster and Blackburn beaming from ear to ear.
The result is crucial for Noble- the Bulls could have broken a game clear inside the top four, instead they now remain locked in a tight battle from fourth to sixth.
Rowville, meanwhile, were highly competitive in their 20-point loss to Balwyn, 14.15(99) to 11.13(79).
After a blitz from the home side in the opening quarter that saw the Hawks 40-points down, the visitors fought back admirably to actually win the rest of the contest by over three goals.
