By DAVID NAGEL
LOCKED and loaded.
THE five teams that will compete for this year’s Casey Cardinia league crown have been decided after Beaconsfield ended Doveton’s dream with a 33-point victory at a soft-and-sticky Robinson Oval on Saturday.
And while Narre Warren remain the shortest of short-priced favourites to make it three flags on the trot, it’s fair to suggest that Cranbourne, Pakenham, Beaconsfield and Berwick will all give themselves a huge chance of taking on the Magpies in the big-dance at Edwin Flack Reserve on September 20.
It took Beaconsfield 23-minutes of toil to kick the games’ first, and it then looked in command as the margin slipped out to four goals mid-way through the second term. Doveton cut the margin back to two goals at the main break, but some undisciplined play at the start of the third saw the Eagles back in charge, and this time they didn’t relent.
Ben Kerrigan led the scoring, with three goals for the Eagles, but it was centre-half-forward, Shaun Pollard, who was the most influential player on the ground, his two goals not a true reflection of his impact on the end result. Tyson Mitchem and Cleyton Bertoncello were others to shine for the winners, while Ricky Hayes kicked three for the Doves.
Berwick’s frustrating five-game losing streak has come to an end, the Wickers relentless in their 140-point win over a hapless Keysborough at Edwin Flack Reserve.
The Wickers, who have been really competitive against the best of the best in recent times, released the shackles on Saturday and regained the run that had rubber-stamped their early-season form. Gun young forwards, Mitch Johnson and Jordy Andrews, had a field day, with eight and six goals respectively, while Ryan Eaton enjoyed his return to the senior side with three. Tough on-baller, Michael Harold, was another to impress while Danny Morland and ruckman Bryce Sutton were best for the Burra.
Narre Warren scored a remarkable 49th win from its last 50 starts with a 127-point belting of Tooradin at Kalora Park.
The Magpies winning-streak of 44 was ended by Cranbourne in round 9, but since then, Chris Toner and his champion-side have knuckled down and look right on track for a three-peat of flags.
The Magpies were deadly accurate during the second and third terms, kicking 19.3 -with their 10-goal second stanza the fifth time they’ve reached double-figures in a quarter this season.
Kerem Baskaya made it back-to-back hauls of eight; Liam Myatt, Chris Collins and Justin Marriott chimed in with three apiece and Lee Boyle and Dylan Quirk were on fire for the winners.
The surprise packet of the season, Pakenham, continued its amazing run of success with a really impressive 62-point victory over the dangerous ROC at Toomuc Reserve.
The Kangaroos have troubled most sides this season, but the Lions were just too good, kicking out to a 41-point lead at half-time before cruising to their 11th win from their last 12 outings. Small forward Jake Barclay was superb for the Lions, booting five, while Troy Toussaint, ruckman Kym Jones and Anthony Young were others to get plenty of the pill. Youngsters Brenton Hillard and Jesse Longmuir and six-time best-and-fairest winner Ben Tivendale were best for the Kangas.
Cranbourne champion Marc Holt was up to his old tricks as the Eagles punished Hampton Park to the tune of 145 points at Casey Fields.
Holt revelled in front of a reunion of the club’s 1966 premiership side, kicking 10 goals to take his tally to 69 for the season. The skipper’s partner in crime, Michael Theodoridis, banged four through the big-sticks while Luke Bee-Hugo used his speed to great effect on his way to three for the afternoon. Dylan Bass, Michael Boland and Anthony Vella were others to shine for the Eagles while Matt Cox slotted two and was best for the Redbacks
