By Marcus Uhe
Pakenham’s spot in the Outer East Premier Division’s finals series is secure, thanks to a 39-point win over Monbulk at home.
The typically fast-finishing Lions turned the tables on their recent form, kicking the first six goals of the contest to race ahead with a 37 point lead, finishing 13.8 86 to 6.11 47.
Monbulk threatened to snatch the lead in the final term but kicked terribly for goal, kicking 1.5 where Pakenham was able to hold its nerve with 3.2.
As they have all season, the leadership group of Jordan Stewart, James Harrison and Jake Barclay all stood tall for Pakenham in a must-win contest.
Nathan Kannemeyer impressed in his first senior hit out for the season, while D’Angelo Taito’s improvement in the ruck continues.
Monbulk is now reliant on results falling its way to sneak into the top five, but face Upwey Tecoma next week, who also need the four points to hang on to fifth place.
Gembrook Cockatoo is all but destined to depart Premier Division after a disastrous start to its must-win clash against Olinda Ferny Creek.
The Brookers conceded six goals in the opening term while only kicking one themselves, through Tim Weller, falling behind by 35 points at the first break.
The margin grew to 48 points at the half time before Brad Coller’s men mounted a charge in the third term, kicking five goals and holding the hosts goalless to cut the margin to 20 at the final break.
But the Bloods had laid the foundation for the victory early and weren’t to be overrun, holding on to win 14.12 96 to 9.7 61.
Michael Firrito kicked three goals for the Brookers , Dean Smith, Kane Rudy and Brayden Weller among their best contributors.
Unless they can beat Wandin, improve their percentage by 20 points and hope Pakenham beat Olinda Ferny Creek, it will be a case of one-and-done in Premier Division for last year’s Division One champions.
At Wandin, Joel Garner led the Bulldogs to a 65-point win over Upwey Tecoma, in a performance that will have opposition clubs on high-alert.
The midfielder kicked four goals in the thrashing as Wandin showed no signs of rust coming off the bye, racing to a 53-point lead at half time with 19 shots on goal to six.
The Tigers were able to steady in the second half, but the Bulldogs showed why they belong in the top two, winning 16.16 112 to 6.11 47.
Clever forward Jordan Jaworski kicked three, Damien Furey Clint Johnson and Connor Smith two apiece, Furey’s inclusion midway through the season continuing to reap rewards.
Keenan Hinton and Andrew Bartlis were named as Upwey Tecoma’s best.
Only fifth place is up for grabs, with Pakenham, Upwey Tecoma, Mt Evelyn and Monbulk all a chance to claim it in the final week.
Woori Yallock are locked into third place, while a lot would need to happen for Wandin to leapfrog Narre Warren on percentage, if the Magpies fall to Woori Yallock.
