By Jonty Ralphsmith
Doveton has gone down to East Malvern in an excellent tune up for finals in the Southern Football Netball League Division 2 competition.
Matthew Jameson led a typically hardy Doves defence, with East Malvern key forward Isaac Morrsiby kept to just two goals in an 8.12 60 to 9.4 58 result.
On a perfect day for footy at Robinson Reserve, Doveton’s A-Grade midfield led by Deakyn Smith, Jake Basa and Shannon henwood were unable to shake East Malvern, whose tightness stymied the ball movement which has propelled Doveton’s recent hot form.
The Doves kicked five of their goals in a strong second quarter where they looked like pulling away from East Malvern, but the visitors stayed within six points at the major break, before a second half arm wrestle ensued.
Ricky Johnson, Matt Parker and James Canty were the best for Doveton in a rare loss which confirms they’ll play in the qualifying final in the first week of the SFNL Division 2 finals.
Hampton Park, meanwhile, dodged a major bullet with a 10.9 69 to 9.14 68 victory over Keysborough.
It’s the second scrappy yet tense encounter between the two sides this season, with the Redbacks emerging victorious on both occasions.
Trailing by 18 points at halftime, a seven goal to four second half got the Spiders over the line.
In his 200th senior game, Jackson Philpin’s desperation and toughness shone through in a critical final quarter, while Jackson Dalton’s strong form continued, alongside the strong-bodied Jye King.
Endeavour Hills had a disappointing 7.15 57 to 16.11 107 loss against ladder leaders Murrumbeena.
The Lions pulled away in the second quarter before cruising to victory despite the best efforts of Shaun Richards and Luke Peters.
In Division 1, Cranbourne’s finals hopes remain alive as they made up critical percentage in a 19.17 131 to 11.7 73 victory over Bentleigh at Livingston Reserve.
Zak Roscoe’s purple patch continued with five goals, while Jarryd Barker and Bailey Buntine were each strong.
Winning by such a margin positions the Eagles strongly to make finals should they win their last two.
They would also need to make up five per cent and East Brighton and Port Melbourne to lose one on the run home but both play the undefeated Cheltenham.
In Division 4, Brendan Groenendyk’s bag of seven led Lyndale to a 21.16 142 to 9.4 58 victory over the struggling South Yarra.
Dandenong fought gallantly against premiership contenders Moorabbin, with Dylan Diacono and Traie Garnett leading the charge in the 14.12 96 to 18.13 121 loss.
