By Mark Gullick
CRANBOURNE and Berwick headlined a classic round of Casey Cardinia football with some tight encounters and shock results.
Displaying strong mental fortitude, Cranbourne overcame a dogged Berwick by two points in a classic at Edwin Flack Reserve.
After a tight opening half, which saw Berwick lead by seven points, the match opened up in the third term, in general play and on the scoreboard.
Berwick produced the opening two goals via Paul Vanschilt and Ymet Zijai before Cranbourne replied through Marc Holt after a midfield turnover.
The Eagles promptly kicked the next two goals and suddenly took a one-point lead.
The shackles were thrown off – the game was now a free-flowing shoot-out.
Eleven goals were kicked for the quarter, seven of those by Cranbourne, which now owned a 12-point lead heading into the final term.
Waite marked and goaled early for Berwick, but Cranbourne immediately answered after Matthew Fletcher found Justin Berry inexplicably wide open on the forward flank.
The Eagles extended their lead with a Michael Boland goal from a ruck infringement.
But Berwick kept coming and with goals to Waite and Daniel Stokie, and then a further goal, there was only a handful of points in it.
Caleb Tiller and Berry missed chances for Cranbourne before Berwick’s late challenge fell short.
Cranbourne overcame a difficult first half, marred by inaccuracy, to record a very accomplished win.
“We had a crack and to hold them off was a really good mental win for us because we haven’t won there in my time and that’s where the finals are played,” Cranbourne coach Doug Koop said.
“We got our radar back (in the third term) and kicked a couple of goals, but we also gave away a couple that we shouldn’t have. We could have again led by three or four goals at three quarter-time, which would have taken a little bit of pressure off. Our last quarter was good.”
Berwick coach Dean Rice was understandably disappointed to lose in a close one.
“It gave us a good perspective of where we’re at; some of our deficiencies and some of the things we need to work on,” he said.
“With such a young group, they’re going to be up and down and have their moments, but as long as they keep their confidence up and keep working hard, I think we’ll be pretty consistent throughout the year.”
Defender Andre Young played a key role in stabilising Cranbourne’s defence.
Paul Vanschilt was excellent through the midfield, and Jason Kelly had an absorbing contest with Marc Holt on the last line.
@BT Sub Sport News:Doveton v Pakenham
A STAGGERING 10-goal final quarter rocketed Doveton past Pakenham by 16 points at Robinson Oval.
The Lions were cruising in the opening three quarters, extending their lead at every change.
By three quarter-time, Pakenham had the seemingly match-winning lead of 40 points.
However, few would have predicted what would occur in the next 30 minutes.
Doveton went on a goal scoring spree – which saw the Doves catch up to Pakenham on the scoreboard – and then promptly overtake them.
Doveton kicked 10.4 to 1.2 in the final term to record its first win of the season.
“At half-time the game was even. I thought we had more of the ball, more of the contested ball, more entries into our forward line, but we couldn’t score,” Doveton coach Mark Ladgrove said.
“Pakky were rebounding and they were hurting us on the scoreboard. At three-quarter time, we were six goals down and I was concerned that it was going to be a blow-out, which we didn’t deserve.
“The boys really toughed it out and once they got a sniff, they just went on with it.”
Ruckman Adam Dean and veterans Aaron Henwood and Matthew Miller played well.
A lack of leadership hurt Pakenham.
Pakenham coach Michael Holland was disappointed that his players let the match slip.
“No one decided to stop the momentum and get the game back on our terms, but apart from that, our guys were very good for three quarters,” Holland said.
“Obviously, we’ve got to finish the job off and not just play for three quarters. It’s something the coaching staff has to look at as well – if we did the right things. I take a bit of responsibility too.”
For the vanquished, Beau Wheeler through the midfield and defender Tom O’Loughlin were prominent.
@BT Sub Sport News:Devon Meadows v Tooradin-Dalmore
IT was a missed opportunity for Tooradin-Dalmore and Devon Meadows as they played out a thrilling draw at Tooradin Recreation Reserve.
Eleven goals were kicked in the opening term, setting the tone for the remainder of the game.
Devon Meadows’ nine-point quarter time lead was erased by a poor second term, while Tooradin-Dalmore kicked five goals to nil.
The Seagulls held sway at the final change by 11 points.
The Panthers caught up in the final term and took the lead before a late point by the Seagulls levelled the scores with minutes remaining, and – with neither team able to score – the match ended in a draw.
“It was a pretty entertaining match, but I think both clubs would be disappointed not to get four points,” Devon Meadows coach Rod Keogh said.
“From our point of view, we thought the boys were fantastic and it would have been good for them to get the win, but we’ll just push forward in a positive manner.”
Steve McInnes kicked five goals, while Daniel Verlado and Chris Campbell played well for the Panthers.
“It was a tough game. Obviously with the draw it was a sour feeling,” Tooradin-Dalmore coach Beau Miller said.
“Both team’s had their chances to win but neither side could break away.
“We started well and were four goals up before they registered their first and then fought back to level the scores.
“It was a funny game; we’d kick off and they’d catch up, we’d kick off again and eventually they caught us.”
Miller was superb, as was Rory Gillatte and Ryan White.
@BT Sub Sport News:Hampton Park v Beaconsfield
HAMPTON Park remains unbeaten after dispensing Beaconsfield by 45 points at Robert Booth Reserve.
The Redbacks skipped out to a seven-goal lead at half-time and maintained that margin as each team kicked four goals in the second half.
“We got off to a good start, kicking five goals to one at quarter time and (in) our second quarter, we kicked away again and that half-time lead of seven goals was handy,” Hampton Park coach Clint Evans said.
“Our midfield pressure was really good. That’s what we talked about during the week, if we can put pressure on the opposition for most of the game then we’ll be in the game for a long time. In the first half, our pressure made them turn the ball over.”
The Baskaya brothers were brilliant; Kain in the midfield and Karem wreaking havoc up forward and kicking seven goals, while Steve Watson controlled the ruck.
@BT Sub Sport News:ROC v Keysborough
In the other match, ROC surprised Keysborough to win by 29 points at Officer Recreation Reserve.
