Tooradin’s Rod Cochrane prepares to pump the ball forward despite the attention of his ROC opponent at Officer Recreation Reserve on Saturday.By Brad Kingsbury
CRANBOURNE jumped two ladder positions to grab fifth position with a 154-point devastation of an undermanned and completely outclassed Berwick at Casey Fields on Sunday.
The Eagles booted 29 goals in a spree that was highlighted by an 11-goal haul from star centre half-forward Marc Holt.
Berwick had excuses with six senior players missing from the side that played the previous week, together with coach Ronnie Burns.
There was an obvious gulf in skill level between the two bitter rivals, however the lack of passion shown by the visiting players gutted club stalwarts and amazed onlookers.
The Eagles dominated the contest from the first bounce, winning the ball out of the centre through ruckman Matt Linke and sure-handling midfielders including Ryan Davey and Callum Lester.
It was one-way traffic with the home side’s forwards bombarded with opportunities, which they snatched with glee to boot 10 goals to none in the first quarter and put any thoughts of a contest out of the question.
From there it was a sad afternoon for the Wickers who managed one goal in the second term and only two in each of the following quarters.
Cranbourne coach Doug Koop did not get carried away with the lack of resistance and worked hard after half-time to keep his players focussed and playing to their new game plan.
The match finished the way it had started with the Berwick coaching panel resigned to another season without finals.
Marc Holt finished the afternoon with 11 of his side’s 29 goals, supported well by Jarrod Murphy and Brad Langley with four majors each, while James Bow, Michael Ryland and Leigh Holt also put in eye-catching performances.
NARRE WARREN dominated DEVON MEADOWS to the tune of 135 points at the Glover Reserve.
The Panthers were again without injured recruit Aaron Henneman and completely failed to come to terms with superior opposition.
The Magpies sprung out of the starting stalls and had four goals on the board before the home side realised there was a game on.
From there it was a procession with Magpie ‘twin towers’ in attack Brett Evans and Lee Clark waxing goals, booting six apiece, with assistance from teammates Shane Brewster, Ricky Clark and Nick Scanlon.
Matt Davey finished the afternoon with three of the Panthers six goals, but the opportunities in the forward line were severely limited and it was left to defenders including Robert Baumgartner, Chris Shepherdson and Barry Parsons to battle it out against overwhelming odds.
On the downside for the Magpies there were injuries sustained by running players Jesse Edmond and Cole Harvey, but overall it was another successful day on the park.
DOVETON put in a character-laden effort and downed BEACONSFIELD by 26 points at the Perc Allison oval.
Beaconsfield’s wretched run with stability continued with key running players Glenn Penglase, Denee Lalouette and Josh Dodsworth missing from the triumphant line-up the week before.
The Doves did their homework and gave Callum Pattie the job on star Eagle Andrew Williams.
The Doves took the game on in typical fashion in the opening term with in-form playmaker Ryan Hendy combining well with captain Clint Wilson and rover Michael Henry to dominate through the midfield.
Henry looked to be in for a huge afternoon before dislocating his thumb early in the second term, forcing Hallinan to rejig his plans.
The Doves slammed on six goals to two in the second term to take a commanding 40-point lead into the half-time break, but the young Eagles showed great character and fought back.
The Doves led by 16 points at the final change but had no bench left with Henry, Aaron Henwood and Andrew Henwood all out of the game with injuries.
The final term saw the Eagles attack early and Williams have a shot at goal to bring them within a point, but graze the post.
Doveton dug deep and went forward where Justin Hill, Ryan Brown and Ryan Pearson steadied the ship with majors, to secure a match-winning lead that was defended and extended to over four goals at the final siren.
PAKENHAM had a hard-fought, but in the end regulation 57-point win over HAMPTON PARK at the Robert Booth Reserve.
The undefeated Casey Cardinia League flag favourites took more than half the game to overpower the determined Redbacks in a typically physical contest with big Lion spearhead Daniel Fry being the difference in the end with six goals.
The Redbacks were gallant, but the absence of several key players including Chris Hussey and Linden Fredericks took its toll in the second half and Pakenham’s stars rose to lead their teammates to a solid and emphatic victory.
ROC celebrated its first win for 2008 on Saturday night, after overcoming a determined TOORADIN by 21 points at Starling Road.
The ground was wet and slippery from overnight rain, but there was little wind and it was ‘game on’ from the first bounce with both sides desperate to create an early break.
Tooradin had the edge in play around the ground, but the ROC defence led by Paul Bright, against his old side, stood tall and continually blocked and rebounded with good run out of the backline.
The Seagulls took a six-point lead into the last quarter courtesy of a great goal after the three-quarter-time siren from Aaron Setford, but it was the Kangaroos who finished the better to hand outright wooden spoon favouritism to the once mighty Seagulls.
The highlight of round 10 in Nepean League saw PEARCEDALE bounce back to the winners’ list with a nine-point win over top-three side FRANKSTON.
The Panthers were led to the line by a four-goal haul from Kerem Baskaya and a best-afield effort from former Narre Warren premiership player Daniel Field.
