Doves dominate

By Brad Kingsbury
DOVETON started brilliantly and was never seriously challenged, recording a 15-point win over CRANBOURNE at Casey Fields on Sunday.
Veteran Dove spearhead Danny Casset goaled twice from strong marks in the opening five minutes and then gave the ball to captain Justin Hill who also kicked truly to get the visitors off to a flier that set the game up for success.
That early onslaught turned out to be crucial with Doveton withstanding every challenge and keeping the lead from that point on and retaining top spot on the ladder.
Cranbourne’s first goal came via a trademark Marc Holt mark and kick from 35 metres at the 13-minute mark of the first term.
Much of the interest on the day centred on the two key forwards at opposite ends of the ground.
Casset, who has starred since returning to Doveton from interstate after five rounds, saw off Aaron Shedlock and was marked by Daniel Watson from the second term, but still had a major influence on the game, finishing with seven goals.
Cranbourne captain Holt, who bore the scars of a heavy knock to the cheek from the week before, was picked up by strong Doveton defender Ricky Hayes, but it quickly became obvious that Hayes was not fit and burly team-mate Peter Greenstreet took over during the second term.
Holt also won the battle, ending the day with six goals, but did not have enough support from his team-mates on the day.
Cranbourne made a run at the Doves with the assistance of a three-goal breeze in the second quarter, but wasted their opportunities.
The home side had the advantage of the breeze in the last quarter, but the deficit proved too great.
Doveton negated all Cranbourne’s early attempts to push forward and worked the margin out to 35 points after Casset slotted through his seventh major at the 17-minute mark, before easing the pressure and coasting home.
Experienced defender Brad Downe was cool under pressure and set up many attacking moves for the Doves, while midfield maestro Daniel Charles and youngster Shannon Henwood were also good.
Matt Rus played a solid game as a rebounding half back for the Eagles, while Robert Beadel did a good job quelling the influence of Doveton match-winner Ryan Hendy.
BEACONSFIELD made hard work of its 12-point victory over HAMPTON PARK, always threatening to break away but never taking full control.
Star Eagle ruckman Chris Kelf turned the clock back several years, dominating the game for the last three quarters to clearly be the best player on the ground, while Andrew Williams was the difference in attack, booting six goals.
Redbacks’ coach Josh Taylor hurt his already tender ankle in the second quarter, but stayed on the ground to provide leadership.
Two goals early in the final term steadied the Beaconsfield effort and it was an edge in experience that told the story in the end of a competitive, but unspectacular match.
Sweeping defender Matthew Dixon and young playmakers Luke Nunan and Brady White were outstanding contributors for Hampton Park, while Shorey and Kevin McLean created good targets with three goals apiece.
ROC retained its slim finals hopes with a convincing 10-goal win over a lethargic DEVON MEADOWS at the Glover Reserve.
The Panthers were a far cry from the tenacious side that went within one point of toppling fourth-placed Narre Warren the week before and coach Steve O’Brien was at his wit’s end trying to work his side out.
ROC’s running playmakers led by Greg Tivendale, Shaun Jones, Ash Comer and Steve Hawkins blitzed their rivals after an opening term that saw the only real negative for the Kangaroos when coach and star on-baller Kris Fletcher left the field after a heavy clash with Panther captain Jesse Dehey.
Centre half-forward Kym Jones was a great target all day, while defender turned full-forward Brendan Graham led and marked strongly to end the day with six goals.
Little went right for O’Brien’s side on the day and with the exception of veteran Scott Morrison and Tom Hussey, few Panthers had any impact on the contest.
Key forward Aaron Henneman hurt his knee and was virtually on one leg in the third term.
BERWICK stepped up a gear after an even first half against KEYSBOROUGH at the Rowley Allen Reserve, booting 12 goals to six after the main break to win the game by 61 points.
Wicker spearhead Grant Noonan finished with six goals for the game despite some close attention from veteran Burra defender Corey Wilkinson.
Berwick proved too slick across the ground with Adam Dalton, Michael Hannigan, Andrew Tuck and the Robinson brothers Brett and Dale causing Siwes and his assistants headaches.
Key Keysborough forward Tyson King spent some time at centre half-back, while Wilknison, Kieran Morland, Will Gayfer and Shaun Witherden put in top-class efforts in a forlorn attempt to turn the game for the Burra.
PAKENHAM took full toll on an under-strength TOORADIN, handing the Seagulls their worst defeat of 2009 at the Toomuc Reserve.
The Seagulls were without star ruckman Steve Arvanitis and gun on-baller Beau Miller and the Lions took advantage to win the one-sided game by 153 points.
It was by far Tooradin’s worst performance of the year and a major step backwards after a promising start to the season on the back of several key signings.
In Nepean League PEARCEDALE proved itself against a side above it on the ladder for the first time this season, defeating RYE by 60 points in a dominant effort.
Burly spearhead Kerem Baskaya booted seven majors to take his season tally to 59 from 10 games, while former Richmond ruckman Greg Stafford booted two for the Demons to be his side’s best player for the afternoon.