By Hayley Wildes
AROUND THE GROUNDS
EASTERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
ROUND 10
Noble Park got back on the winners’ list with a hard-fought win over Doncaster.
The Bulls were inaccurate in front of goal, but the performance of Kyle Martin steadied the ship enough to see Noble Park claim a six-point win, 10.16 (76) to 11.4 (70).
Leading by 19 points at the final break, the Bulls staved off a fast finishing Sharks team as Jordan Marson (three goals) and Luke Nelson (two goals) put through important goals.
The game was on the line in the final few minutes, but the Bulls held the Sharks out in a frantic finish as a draw was very much on the cards.
With the win, the Bulls move to 4-6 on the season and currently sit seventh on the ladder.
Meanwhile, Rowville was a class above North Ringwood in their encounter at Seebeck Oval.
The Hawks jumped out to a 20-point quarter-time lead and, with Damian Garner (four goals) tearing the game apart, never looked back as they went on to record a 35-point win, 15.9 (99) to 8.16 (64).
Rowville took the foot off the gas in the final term to be outscored three goals to one, but it mattered little as the result was well beyond doubt at that point.
While Garner was in dominant form, Riley D’Arcy (four goals) was equally important up forward and Ziggie Alwan (two goals) also played a key role.
Rowville improves to the impressive record of 8-2 on the season and sits third on the ladder.
GIPPSLAND LEAGUE
ROUND 10
Warragul hadn’t had much to celebrate over the first nine rounds of the season, but on Saturday the Gulls earned themselves a rousing win over Wonthaggi at home.
In what was an enthralling and see-sawing contest all day, the Gulls found themselves down by 10 points at the final break, 9.5 (59) to 7.7 (49), but used an inspired fourth quarter comeback to claim the win.
It was an absolutely nail-biting finish – with under a minute to go the scores were level, 9.9 (63) to 9.9 (63). When Warragul needed a match-winner, Tom Kelly rose to the occasion and slotted a goal with just three seconds on the clock to send the home crowd into raptures as the Gulls ran out six-point winners, 10.9 (69) to 9.9 (63).
Matt Rennie (two goals), Brad Hefford and Sam Whibley were dynamic as Warragul celebrated its third win of the season.
Drouin claimed the points against Traralgon after their clash was abandoned midway through the last quarter.
Unfortunately, Maroon backman Chris Thuring suffered a major leg injury which required play to be stopped and the game didn’t resume, with Drouin awarded the win in accordance with rules stating the team in front at the time is deemed the winner.
It was a tough way for the game to finish, but the work of both teams’ medical and training staff was second to none.
The final scores read Drouin 7.9 (51) defeating Traralgon 6.8 (44). The Maroons had battled hard all day and certainly gave the Hawks a scare, but the play of Chris Robinson, Tom Barr and Bailey Beck (two goals) helped Drouin stay in the lead.
SOUTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
DIVISION 2 – ROUND 10
After taking the ladder-leading Springvale Districts to the cleaners in Round 9, Keysborough came crashing back to earth on Saturday, falling to Murrumbeena by 35 points, 14.13 (97) to 9.8 (62).
The Lions jumped out to an early lead and were in total control all day as Nicholas Brazil (five goals) and Matthew Lello ran riot.
Despite the loss, Tim Edwards (three goals) and Aaron McIlroy gave their all for the Burras.
The Doveton Eagles also suffered a defeat, falling to Hampton in a tight affair.
The Eagles were led by Jarrod O’Neil (six goals) who was in sparkling form up forward, but it wasn’t enough as the likes of Mark Devereaux and Luke Hayes (three goals each) helped the Hammers claim a hard-fought 11-point win, 14.11 (95) to 12.12 (84).
DIVISION 3 – ROUND 10
Hampton Park continued its perfect season by claiming its ninth win in as many games. The Redbacks were ruthless against Cerberus and held their opponents scoreless for three quarters to lead by an incredible 119 points with a quarter to play.
Finally, Cerberus broke through for a major in the final term, but it meant little as Hampton Park ran out 159-point winners, 25.16 (166) to 1.1 (7). Peter Dye (six goals), Aaron Thornton (four goals) and Nathan Carver (three goals) did as they pleased up forward, while Sean Winsall and Ryan Pearson (two goals) were dominant across the ground.
Endeavour Hills attempted a comeback against Ashwood, but it wasn’t enough as the Falcons lost by seven points, 9.9 (63) to 8.8 (56).
Jarrod Marolla (six goals) tried his best to drag Endeavour Hills over the line, but there weren’t enough contributors on the day for the Falcons.
DIVISION 4 – ROUND 10
Hallam made it two wins on the trot with a big win over Dandenong. The Hawks kept the Redlegs goalless in the second half and Jack Sharlassian (four goals) and Sam Ferrari (two goals) were in fine form.
The Hawks eventually ran out 69-point winners, 14.12 (96) to 4.3 (27).
Despite inaccuracy in front of goal in the first half, Lyndhurst completely dominated Lyndale from start to finish. After kicking 4.10 (34) in the first half, the Lightning found their range in the third quarter to put through seven goals while holding the Pumas goalless.
With David Ford and Hamish Browning (four goals each) forming a dangerous duo up forward, Lyndhurst ran out 104-point winners, 16.18 (114) to 1.4 (10).
VFLW
ROUND 7
The Casey Demons dropped their third game in a row, falling to Geelong on the road on Saturday. The Cats jumped out to a 12-point lead after the first term and built on that advantage in the second half as Danielle Orr (three goals) proved the difference up forward.
Casey’s defence found it tough going and they just couldn’t contain Geelong’s dangerous options in the forward half.
Chantel Emonson and Harriet Cordner were best for the Demons in the 8.8 (56) to 4.3 (27) loss.
