By ROY WARD
IN a see-sawing football match, someone ends up with their backside on the ground. In the clash between Doveton Eagles and Dandenong Redlegs on Saturday, the Redlegs were that side.
The two clubs went goal for goal in the final term of a closely fought match at Power Reserve to begin the Southern Football League division 3 season and only Peter Dye’s fifth goal with just minutes left proved the difference as the Eagles won 12.9 (81) to 12.8 (80).
CLICK HERE for our picture gallery from the big game.
Eagles playing coach Paul Davis said his side rode its luck to claim the win and he also tipped the Redlegs to push high up the ladder this season.
“We might have been lucky to snatch the win because throughout the game we would take a two- or three-goal lead and then they would hit back and get a lead.
“We couldn’t break them and they couldn’t break us.”
Davis said wingman Jarrod O’Neill was prominent and Mark Mott, Dye and Clint Wilson were also strong for the Eagles.
Redlegs’ Matthew Van Schajik, Rob Forsyth, Chris Hatfield, Steven Young, Regan Hill and Matt Doggett were named their best players.
Davis made a point of commending the Redlegs, who could well challenge the Eagles, Mt Waverley, Sandown and Black Rock at the top of the ladder.
“Dandenong has recruited out of sight. They will be right up there.
“They’ve not only recruited a couple of players but also improved their whole group. They will trouble sides and I think there’ll be more than one or two sides fighting it out at the top this season.”
In other division 3 matches Sandown thumped Ashwood 16.17 (113) to 7.14 (56) while Lyndale showed it has improved with a 12.13 (85) to 6.11 (47) win over Endeavour Hills.
Carrum Patterson Lakes celebrated its first game in the competition with a 15.9 (99) to 10.8 (68) win over Hallam Hawks at Roy Dore Reserve.
In division 1 Dingley got its season away to a winning start, thumping new boys East Malvern 19.11 (125) to 5.5 (35) with Luke Bartholomew kicking three goals and Chris Morgan and Marcus Freeman named best players.
In division 2 Springvale Districts got away with a one-point win over Skye 13.7 (85) to 13.6 (84) with Matt Thompson and David Monaghan the best players.
