By DAVID NAGEL
KEYSBOROUGH caused the upset of the Casey Cardinia Football League season on Saturday, downing powerhouse Cranbourne by three points in an absolute thriller at Casey Fields.
Cranbourne started fast, with a seven-goal first quarter but couldn’t shake the Burra which kicked five of their own to trail by just 10 points at quarter time.
The Burra, with Tyson King on fire up forward, took a five-point, half-time lead after another five-goal second term.
King kicked five in the first half while Eagles skipper Marc Holt was hot on his heels, with four his own.
Michael Downie, Geoff Humphreys and Giordan Nguyen were everywhere for the Burra while the experienced trio of Ryan Goodes, Corey Wilkinson and Waata Wells were using their street-smarts to full effect.
Keysy came out firing in the third, with goals to King and Bryan stretching the margin out to 16 at the five-minute mark.
Cranny needed a response and it came from Holt who took two strong marks to cut the deficit back to three.
When Eagles defender Nick Barker kicked just his second goal for the season and Holt, who had Dean Gentle and Mark Osborne for company, kicked his third for the quarter, the Eagles appeared to have shaken their lethargy, and the Burra, and skipped out to a nine-point lead.
The last quarter was a classic.
King, Hoskin and Humphreys kicked quick goals for the Burra before misses from Eagles Max Gearon and Jack Coutts saw the Burra retain a nine-point lead.
Ryan Jones cut the margin to three, at the 18-minute mark, but it was the last goal to be scored, the Burra holding on for a famous victory.
King, with seven goals, was magnificent for the Burra, while Bryan’s four goals complimented a magnificent game in the ruck.
EASTERN
Noble Park has fallen in a closely-fought tussle with second-placed Vermont, staying within striking distance for most of the match but unable to fully capitalise on its opportunities.
Both sides started the game well with the Bulls keeping in touch with their fancied opponents as they headed into the main break only down by 14 points.
But a six-goal-to-two third quarter underlined the talent of a classy Vermont outfit, responding in style to a persistent Noble Park team.
Timothy Harper kept the Noble Park forward line abuzz with three goals to his name, while Brett Dore and Andrew McConnell chimed in helpfully with two each.
Craig Anderson played wonderfully for Noble Park and teammate Daniel Keely was an admirable and able sidekick.
Noble Park remains third on the ladder and will face Scoresby after this week’s bye.
SFL – DIVISION 3
WITH Dandenong Redlegs having a bye, attention focussed sharply on Lyndale to see whether the fifth-placed Pumas could match it with top-of-the table Doveton Eagles at Barry Powell Reserve.
And they did for three quarters, trailing by just 11 points at three-quarter time before fading to a five-goal loss, 14.12 (96) to 9.12 (66).
Best performers for the Pumas were Adam Read and Matthew Stuart through the middle, Shannon Deszcz in the ruck, while Damien Wilsnach and Adrian Mattiuzzo held firm in defence.
Brenton Miles and Deszcz kicked two each for the Pumas while Eddie Faamausili was full of enthusiasm all afternoon.
Endeavour Hills remain planted at the foot of the table after a 34-point, 9.13 (67) to 4.9 (33) loss to Black Rock.
Jarryd Burke, Kris McCarthy, Rob Cooper Justin, McLeod and Aaron Brooks were all solid for the Hills who were great defensively but just couldn’t put the score on the board.
This week: Ashwood v Dandenong, Black Rock v Lyndale, Carrum Patterson Lakes v Endeavour Hills.
