By JARROD POTTER
SOUTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Division 2 – round 11
THE gap between the top two and the rest in SFL Division 2 became crystal clear on Saturday as second placed Skye sent third ranked Springvale Districts away with a 53-point loss.
The drive back to Newcomen Road would not have been pleasant for John McTaggart’s charges as they were outgunned by the Bombers from the first bounce. Mustering only three goals by three-quarter-time, the Demons’ defence was the only facet keeping the score line respectable as a number of Skye bombing runs were repelled. Justin Doust, David Ford and Gavin Vassallo continued their strong seasons as the gap expanded to 18 points. Springvale Districts is now well entrenched in a logjam from third to seventh with two points separating the five clubs. The Demons now face Highett at home on Saturday.
Division 3 – round 12
DANDENONG continues to improve week-to-week as it was squeezed into defeat by Ashwood in a 17-point setback. Ashwood was kept scoreless by the Redlegs in the final term but the best efforts of Dandenong – led by Matt Van Schajik (3 goals) and Brodie O’Laughlin (2) wasn’t enough to power past the Magpies. Stephen Young was best afield.
In other games Sandown could not match pace with South Yarra – as the former Division-2 side inflicted a 33-point defeat on the Cobras. Jason Toan, Mitch Gersbeck and Matt Menzies all held their own in the loss.
While Lyndale dished out a shock upset over premiership contender Carrum Patterson Lakes, knocking in four-goals-to-none in the final term to run out eight point winners.
VICTORIAN AMATEUR FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
Division 2 – round 12
JOC-ular celebrations would have gripped Thomas Carroll Reserve as St John’s ran out a 36-point winner over Ivanhoe. The JOCs started strongly, kicking five goals in the opening term, but Ivanhoe controlled most of the play throughout the initial stanza. It left the JOCs with a message to send before half-time, which they resoundingly did via an eight-goal straight term to leave the Magpies in their wake. Ivanhoe came back at St John’s in the second half, but had left too much to chase as the home side claimed a comfortable six-goal win.
The centre-men and wingers kept their heads over the ball and the standout of the afternoon was strong tackling, as a number of JOCs and Magpies were either rolled or thrown out of bounds in vice-like grips.
Crushing the JOCs’ goals were Rohan Scott and Anthony Brannan – drilling four each – while best afield was Glenn Costas, Dale Camm and Kane Arnold.
St John’s advances past Ivanhoe into fifth in VAFA Division 2 and face South Melbourne Districts on 19 June after a bye this weekend.
CASEY CARDINIA FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Seniors – round 12 (split)
THE wheels are well and truly off at Keysborough, with Pakenham picking apart the Burra by 101 points. A gallant third-term accrued four goals for the Burra but the Lions roared again to kick 11 goals after half-time and seal the deal. Richard Minney, Jayke Hopkins and Tim Werner snagged a pair of goals apiece while Ran Goodes, Daniel Morland and Michael Downie all toiled in the belting. It’s Keysborough’s fifth loss by over 100 points and leaves the door ajar for the Burra to collect the wooden spoon. Keysborough next host ladder-leading Narre Warren on 19 June after a scheduled bye.
