By JARROD POTTER
A SEASON-SAVING win kept Doveton Eagles’ finals hopes alive in SFL Division 2.
Despite sitting ninth, the Eagles remain in the hunt for one of the last spots in the finals with the 17-point win over Murrumbeena.
A five-goal opening term set the tone for the afternoon with the Lions unable to hunt down the fast-flying Eagles.
Contributing half of his team’s tally, Eagles forward Peter Dye drilled six goals en route to 32 for the season.
Dye’s dominance in the SFL Division 2 goal-squares is second only to Mordialloc’s James Morris (34).
“The Matt-ack” combination – Matt Fristad and Matt O’Callaghan – impressed through the centre while Keith Dobson, Brett Hidgcock and Corrie Wilson all continued their top-notch seasons.
Returning from injury, playing-coach Clint Wilson said it was a bruising encounter but he pulled up pretty well and, most importantly, the Eagles have turned a corner and are playing their best footy yet.
“It was probably one of our better performances for the year,” Wilson said. “We started well in the first half but they came at us in the second half and played good footy.
“There were a lot of contributors for the day – better players Matt O (O’Callaghan), Hidgy (Hidgecock), Dobson, Corrie Wilson and Peter Dye kicked six.”
The coach also thought his promoted reserves – Dylan Chadwick and Hayden Martin – excelled in the backline.
The immediate challenge will be difficult.
The Eagles face first place Mordialloc but the month after that should be easier facing Caulfield (fifth), Moorabbin (10th) and Oakleigh District (seventh).
Despite facing the top seed in the division, Wilson was confident the Eagles could get the job done and carry on that form into the remainder of the season.
“We’ve got Mordialloc on top which will be a good challenge for the club, but we’re really confident,” Wilson said.
“We’ve got five, seven and eight at home and playing two of the bottom sides away and we’ve got to string a few of those wins together in the second half.
“(Making finals) would be a really big effort after where we’ve come from.”
The Eagles fly out to the Ben Kavanagh Reserve on Saturday for their clash against the top-of-the-ladder Bloods.
SFL – DIVISION 3
A FOURTH term revival brought the Falcons off life-support and kept their finals chances alive in Endeavour Hills’ 14-point win over Dandenong.
Trailing by 21 at the final change, Endeavour Hills went goal-crazy as it peppered the Barry Simon Reserve goals.
Andrew McPherson slammed five goals and Shane Peake, not to be outdone, thumped home four of his own.
Byroe Hoe had the ball on a string to be best afield while Benjamin Graham, Tom Gubbins and Josh Graham also excelled.
Bloodied by the premiership contender Carrum Patterson Lakes, Hallam could only muster 4.4 (28) to the Lions’ impressive 16.8 (104).
Bryce Neve kicked two goals while Jack Barrie-Sewell and Rory Mcivor were best afield.
