By Nick Creely
JOURNAL FOOTBALL REVIEW
SOUTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
DIVISION 2 – ROUND 20
An attacking masterclass by Keysborough against East Brighton on Saturday has the Burras primed for a tilt at the flag when this week’s finals begin.
In the final home-and-away clash of the season, the Burras gained some valuable momentum in the dominant 14.10(94) to 24.12(156) win.
With key lynchpins Timmy Werner (eight goals) and Chris Bryan putting on an absolute clinic, the Burras were never challenged when they burst out to a 19-point quarter time lead.
The Burras will face Caulfield in a massive qualifying final on Saturday at Clayton’s Meade Reserve. Springvale Districts, meanwhile, ended their tough season on a high with a tight win over Skye, 8.12(60) to 10.7(67).
After leading comfortably for most of the day, the Demons almost squandered its handy lead in a tense last quarter but just held on to claim the consolation four points.
The Demons finished with a 6-12 record.
DIVISION 3 – QUALIFYING AND ELIMINATIONS FINALS
From the very beginning of Saturday’s match against Ashwood, Endeavour Hills seemed just that one step ahead.
In the tight 6.6(42) to 9.9(63) thriller at Keysborough Reserve, the Eagles have booked a semi-final berth.
After kicking the first goal of the match only a minute into the game, the Eagles’ tough and tenacious style meant it was never going to be threatened.
With the likes of star midfielder Daniel Batson and Shaun Richards looking ominous early, the Eagles set the game up with a brilliant four goal to one opening term, before ensuring defensively they would be impenetrable.
Ashwood refused to go away and were desperate to not go into their shells, but the Eagles never looked like surrendering their precious lead – and they didn’t, running out comfortable winners and sending a warning to premiership favourite Hallam.
The Eagles will face the Hawks in this week’s semi at Jack Barker Oval, in what will be a tantalising match up.
Meanwhile, Doveton Eagles stood firm amidst a wildly inaccurate Black Rock to advance to a semi-final against Ashwood this week, 11.9(75) to 4.17(41).
The Eagles had all the running in a dominant five goal to one opening term to open up a 26-point quarter time lead.
The stars in Russell Robertson (three goals), Enayate Samadi (26 disposals) and Adam Read all looked ominous as the Jets hung on by a thread.
And in the second term, the Jets had the perfect chance to bring themselves back to life – but they squandered it.
The Jets had nine shots on goal for just 2.7, with the Eagles far more efficient with 2.2 despite far less attacking opportunities.
Armed with a 21-point lead heading in a massive second half, the Eagles were never threatened, kicking three goals in the third and just a solitary final term goal to run away comfortable winners.
But the Jets will need to rue it’s disappointing display in front of goal all summer, kicking 1.9 after half time – costing them any chance of getting back into the contest.
Doveton Eagles will face off in a crunch semi-final clash with an Ashwood side that pushed Endeavour Hills but ultimately fell just short.
EASTERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
REVIEW – ROUND 18
A bitterly disappointing thrashing at the hands of Vermont on Saturday has meant Noble Park will not see finals action in 2017.
In the 11.11(77) to 21.12(138) belting to end the home-and-away season, the equation was simple for the Bulls – win and they were a chance if results went their way.
After a nice start which saw the Bulls hold a narrow six-point quarter time lead, Vermont’s star power stole the show, blowing the Bulls away with 18 goals to seven in the final three quarters.
As they have all season, Tim Harper (six goals) led the way, while the likes of Ziggie Alwan, Tom Glen, Jackson Sketcher and Kyle Martin all battled admirably.
