By Nick Creely
OUTER EAST FOOTBALL
DIVISION 1 REVIEW – ROUND 10
There’s still plenty of football left in the home-and-away season, but Monbulk and Pakenham are virtually assured of snaring the top-two spots on the ladder after equally impressive wins on the weekend.
The Lions – on a particularly noteworthy day for the club with a vast array of 1989 and 2009 premiership heroes watching on – gave the strong home crowd plenty to cheer about, controlling its clash with Doveton from start to finish, 14.15 (99) to 9.4 (58).
Ash Green’s side – who play a strong, fearless brand of football – had to work hard to shake the third-placed Doves off in the first and second quarters, with a good old-fashioned, contested game of footy seeing the home side take in a nine-point lead at the major break.
But it was like a switch was flicked, and the Lions completely changed the dimension of the game in the third quarter, kicking six goals to two and opening up a seven-goal lead at the final change.
With Liam Tyrrell starring – and the likes of Jake Thompson, Joe Baker-Thomas and Zac Stewart leading from the front – the Lions didn’t give the Doves a sniff late, running out comfortable winners and moving three games clear of third, and just a game behind top-spot.
While outplayed and with still plenty of work to do, there was certainly plenty to take out of the game with the Doves as they still look for its right balance, with Sean Kelleher once again impressing with three goals, while Jake Basa, Will Smith and Matt Stapleton did a power of work in a losing cause.
Monbulk, meanwhile, kept its undefeated season going, shaking off a plucky Officer at home, 13.12 (90) to 9.7 (61).
The Kangaroos came jumping out of the blocks with a three goal to one opening term, but the Hawks – off the back of its hard-nosed midfield and an amazing ability to get it in quickly to the forward line – kicked into gear and wore down the visitors to snatch back the lead by half-time.
It was a matter of when, not if the Hawks would surge clear and bank another win, with the premiership favourite kicking six goals to two in the third term and opening up a six goal lead, a margin never headed despite the Kangaroos winning the last quarter.
Ash Beck was simply dynamic in a best afield performance that included five goals, while the likes of Shane Williams (three goals) and Mitch Dekker were outstanding all day for the home. For the visitors – who would have taken a lot out of the game – inspirational big man Sean Roach did a mountain of work to be the team’s best as he continued his impressive run of form, while Jake Ingaliso and Tyler Clark showed more flashes of their brilliance.
Belgrave were also massive winners across the weekend, clawing off the bottom of the ladder and sending its opponent, Warburton Millgrove, right back where they came from.
The Magpies ran out 13.11 (89) to 8.15 (63) winners off the back of a dominant second-half, fighting its way back from a 26-point deficit at quarter time to blanket the Burras across the final three quarters.
Elliott Avis was the star of the show for the Magpies, kicking three and providing a heap of class, while the likes of Steven Stredwick, Jayden Wood and Aaron Johns all played a vital role in a morale-boosting day for the club.
In the final match of the round, Mount Evelyn bounced back from a tough loss the week prior, holding off a competitive Emerald to remain in fourth spot for another week, 14.16 (100) to 12.6 (78).
The Rovers – who are now a game clear of Officer – were well served by recruit Max Kleverkamp, who snared five goals and had a major say on proceedings.
Gembrook Cockatoo, meanwhile, enhanced its finals aspirations with a vital Division 2 win against Alexandra, 17.6 (108) to 11.6 (72)
The Brookers – who came into the round under some pressure – lifted when it mattered to bank the vital win, leading strongly at every change to never really be threatened.
Matthew Templeton absolutely starred with six goals, while Dante Scott (three goals) and Michael Firrito all played vital roles as the Brookers remain in sixth by just 0.5 per cent ahead of a crucial block of footy.
