By DAVID NAGEL
CRANBOURNE has set the stage for the most anticipated match of the South East Football Netball League (SEFNL) season after a convincing 58-point victory over Pakenham at Casey Fields.
The Eagles, who blew the Lions away with a rollicking 6.4 to 1.0 first quarter, head to Narre Warren this week to continue a rivalry that has been simmering for years.
The connection between the Eagles and Magpies dates back to 1954, both foundation members of the South West Gippsland Football League, but their rivalry has taken to a new level in recent times.
Cranbourne’s last premiership success (2011) and Narre Warren’s last two (2012-13) were achieved with the other as part of the landscape.
Beaconsfield chipped in with last year’s premiership win against Cranbourne, but this is the rivalry that really matters.
Both have magnificent full-forwards – the Eagles with Marc Holt, the Magpies with Kerem Baskaya – the two have matched motors with a century of goals in the last three seasons.
The midfield battle, where Cranbourne’s Mat Fletcher, Max Gearon, Ryan Davey and Luke Bee-Hugo take on Dylan Quirk, Matt Lee, Col McNamara and Michael Collins will be worth the price of admission alone.
It should be a belter!
But back to Saturday, and the Eagles were simply too good for the Lions, who have now slipped outside the top-five after being top of the table after round four.
Fletcher was sensational for the winners, who had Michael Theodoridis kick four, Holt three, while Fletcher and Ryan Jones slotted two each.
Pakenham, who has the bye this week, had Adam Alberni kick three while debutant Jai Rout showed some promising signs for the future.
Berwick took until the last quarter to shake off ROC, a seven-goal-to-two last stanza giving the Wickers a 34-point victory at Edwin Flack Reserve.
The Kangaroos were brave, considering Luke Smaluch (leg) and Matt Ford (calf) went down with game-ending injuries in the first term, but wasted opportunities at the start of the last cost them any chance of victory.
Berwick’s young backline was brilliant, with Ryan Hillard, Jo West and Lucas Jellyman-Turner leading the way, while Ben Kearns and Tim Gunn chimed in four goals each.
Chris Potalej kicked five for the Kangaroos while ruckman Dylan Chapman also played a fine game.
A 12-goal last quarter has saved Beaconsfield from embarrassment, the reigning premier eventually downing cellar-dweller Hampton Park by 77 points at Holm Park Reserve.
Unbelievably, scores were tied at three quarter time because the Eagles cut loose, burying the Redbacks with 17 shots at goal to nil in the final quarter.
Big-name recruit Beau Dowler kicked seven, and Taylor Joyce four for the winners, while Daniel Mislicki and the Johnston boys, Damien and Daniel were effective around the ground.
Casey Scorpion Declan Keilty played his first game for the Redbacks, and starred, kicking four goals in a sensational debut.
In the final game of round nine, Doveton rode a fast start to a comprehensive 34-point victory over Tooradin at Westernport Oval.
Dandenong Stingrays pair, Lachie Batten and Josh Battle, were terrific for the Doves, while playing-coach Shannon Henwood was a surprising leading goal-kicker with five for the afternoon.
Travis Davis booted four, and was best for the Doves, while Michael Wallace, Adam Galea and Matt Wade were best for the disappointing Seagulls.
