By DAVID NAGEL
BACK-TO-BACK champion Narre Warren has sent an ominous warning to its fellow Casey Cardinia league premiership contenders with a 114-point whitewash of Beaconsfield at Kalora Park on Saturday.
“That’s as well as we’ve played all season,” said coach Chris Toner after the Magpies sent the Eagles crashing back to earth after their big win over Berwick last week.
“There seemed to be some real hunger back in the players’ eyes and we played well right across the board.
“We’re in a strong position, two games clear, so that’s a positive sign going forward.”
The Magpies were dominant, but not quite clinical in the first term converting just three of their 12 shots on goal as – with the aid of a strong breeze – they peppered the scoreboard end at Fox Road.
Beaconsfield’s hopes of a revival were then dashed in the second term as Magpie midfielders Dylan Quirk, Michael Collins, Col McNamara and Matt Lee provided the impetus for a 4.5 to 0.3 stanza that stretched the home sides’ 13-point lead at quarter time out to 39 at the main break.
With their spirit broken, the Eagles watched on as the ruthless title-holders piled on 9.3 to 0.4 to blow the contest out in the third.
Lee Boyle, Aaron McIver, Jackson Parker and Liam Myatt bagged three each for the hosts while defender Ben King and young ruckman Jordyn Flannery joined a dominant band of midfielders on the best players list.
Berwick has dropped outside the top-three for the first time this season after Pakenham handed the Wickers a 19-point defeat at Edwin Flack Reserve.
The game was in the balance at three-quarter time but the Wickers were out-gunned by a spirited Lions’ outfit that has now won eight of its last nine games. Madi Andrews, Daniel Harrison and Luke Sheppard were gallant for the Wickers, while four goals to Daniel Fry and a fantastic last quarter from coach Steve O’Bryan got the Lions across the line.
Doveton’s brave mid-season resurgence has continued with a typically gritty 22-point win over Tooradin at Robinson Oval.
The Doves, who have now won three-on-the-trot, opened up an early lead with the wind before setting up victory with a strong defensive effort in the second term.
A wasteful 3.8 to 0.1 third quarter locked away the points before the Seagulls rallied late.
Michael Henry kicked three and comeback-kid Ricky Hayes two for the winners, while Jordan Temopoulos did a great job quelling the influence of Seagulls’ champ Matt Wade.
Paddy Chin was a livewire up forward, kicking four for the losers.
A brilliant nine-goal second term has helped ROC secure a 36-point victory over Hampton Park at Starling Road.
The Kangas opened up a 63-point buffer at the main break before taking the foot off the accelerator in the second half.
Blair Allan was superb, kicking five goals for the winners while three goals to Ben Tivendale and sterling performances from youngsters Luke Smaluch, Ryan Spierings and Jake Ingaliso were other highlights.
Cory Phillips, Nathan Allen and Josh Craig were best for the Redbacks who fought the game out well after half-time.
Cranbourne skipper Marc Holt has returned to form with his seven-goal haul leading the Eagles to an 83-point victory over Keysborough at Rowley Allen Reserve.
The champion full-forward had kicked just eight goals in his last five games but showed his class as the Eagles piled on 7.7 to 1.2 in the final term to run away with the points.
Michael Theodoridis slammed through five, speed-machine Ryan Jones kicked four, while Luke Bee-Hugo and Michael Boland were other clear winners on the day.
Geoff Humphreys bagged three goals to join Bryce Sutton and Ryan Goodes as the Burra’s best players.
