It was the story of the day for the Doves against Pakenham on Saturday as Dove Andrew Henwood is stopped in his tracks by a desperate Jason Williams.By Brad Kingsbury
DOVETON capitulated to the relentless run of Pakenham at the Toomuc Reserve on Saturday and slipped out of the Casey Cardinia league top five with only one home and away round to play.
The 59-point margin was significant, but the Doves only have themselves to blame after they ignored instructions and kicked the ball wide in the second half, allowing young Lions, including Luke Walker, Dimitri Dimakopoulos and Beau Wheeler, space to run.
Pakenham toyed with their opponents in the second half and forced them into making some appalling mistakes and skill errors.
Pakenham coach Michael Holland led his side onto the ground in his 200th game for the club, and it immediately became obvious that the Lions were on their game with Travis Murphy, Seb Paynter and Holland imposing themselves on every contest.
Jared Goldsack gave centimetres to Ryan Brown and Clint Wilson in the ruck, but was excellent around the ground and the Lions took an 11-point lead into the first change.
The Doves lifted noticeably in the second term and hit the front when Pullen slotted a goal after a big grab at the eight-minute mark.
However, the Lions responded and went into the rooms with a six-point advantage at half-time.
Pakenham’s incessant running wore Doveton down in the third term and the Doves’ recent hard run of matches began to take its toll.
Doveton players noticeably dropped their heads as the game slipped from their grasp and it was all over after two early goals to Pakenham in the first three minutes of the final term.
There were many interesting match-ups but the crucial one was that between George and Luke Walker. George had the best of it in the first half, but youngster Walker dug deep and played his heart out after half-time to be among the Lions’ best.
BERWICK goal machine George Gorozidis slotted eight majors in a best afield effort during the Wickers’ 41-point win over CRANBOURNE at Casey Fields.
The match degenerated into a spiteful affair after the half-time break with fights breaking out across the field, resulting in several reports and umpires considering abandoning the game.
After the sides were split into their huddles and spoken to by their captains and umpires, the game proceeded with four players, Cranbourne pair Marc Holt and Andre Young, and Wickers Blake Hentschke and Jayden Kickett, on report.
Apart from the third-quarter blight, the contest between the two rivals was a good one.
Gorozidis and 18-year-old Jayden Kickett were on target in perfect conditions early, and the Wickers led by 10 points at quarter-time thanks to their accuracy.
The second-term dominance of Berwick was the key to the game.
Burns gave the job of covering for injured centreman Daniel Charles to youngster Tom Andrews and, together with captain David Van Diemen, Tim Joustra and Matt Crosby, the Wickers slammed on six goals to one for the term.
The 42-point margin was always going to be a big ask, however with the focus changing from football to fighting for the majority of the third quarter, any chance the home side had of overhauling the lead evaporated.
To Cranbourne and McMaster’s credit, they steadied in the final term and outscored the visitors, but the game was already well over.
A CHANGE in percentage for the better after its 51-point win over BEACONSFIELD saw HAMPTON PARK grab fifth position at the Perc Allison Reserve.
The Redbacks made a mess of the opening quarter and a half but snapped out of their lethargy and booted three quick goals before half-time.
Beaconsfield signalled that maybe the fight was not over with the first goal after the long break, but Hampton Park reacted like a good side should and kicked the next 12 goals in a row in an awesome display of power football.
The Redbacks cruised to victory in the final term with surprise inclusion Casey Scorpion David Biagi starring for his old club and booting four goals in a top-notch performance.
Enigmatic forward Kevin McLean kicked five majors while Nathan Dawes, Daniel Stevenson, Steve Watson and Josh Taylor all had superb outings.
Beaconsfield’s best included Craig Jackson, Kym Jones and Daniel Mislicki, but the young Eagles were simply outmuscled by a bigger stronger side.
KEYSBOROUH had a regulation 60-point win over cellar-dweller DEVON MEADOWS at the Glover Reserve.
The Burra gained a significant break in the opening half, keeping the Panthers goalless, and the result was done and dusted from then on.
Devon Meadows played several players behind the ball in an effort to limit the scoreboard damage, while veteran Craig Hunter was moved from defence to attack in the second half in an attempt to create a target.
The Burra extended its advantage from 53 points at half-time to 63 points at the final change, but Devon Meadows dug deep and outscored the visitors by a goal in the final term.
David Grose, Jesse Dehey, Lucas Carroll and Rhyse Shortis battled it out manfully for the Panthers.
TOORADIN scored a solid 36-point victory over ROC, catapulting the Seagulls into third position.
Both sides were hit with key withdrawals before the game, all of them due to illness. Tooradin lost Aaron Hyde and defender Ben Disney, while the Kangaroos were without captain Mick Moylan and star wingman Ben Tivendale.
The home side booted the first five goals and things were looking bleak for ROC, however they rallied and went in to the half-time break with a 12-point deficit.
Tooradin upped its workrate in the second half with Adam Cook creating a dangerous target in attack finishing the day with five goals.
