By DAVID NAGEL
BEACONSFIELD’S premiership defence has hit its first hurdle of the season after Cranbourne proved too good, winning by 22 points in the South East Football League match-of-the-day at Casey Fields on Saturday.
Cranny’s new and improved team defence had to weather a Beacy storm in the first half, before whipping one up of its own in a devastatingly efficient third-quarter blast.
Simon Goosey’s men piled on six unanswered goals, from the seven-minute mark to the 28-minute mark of the premiership quarter to turn the contest on its head.
It left Beaconsfield coach Clint Evans in rage as he delivered a stinging attack on his players at three-quarter time.
“We spoke about our work rate at half time and it lasted two minutes, before we started playing selfish football and pointing fingers at each other,” an angry Evans roared.
Beacy responded, with three of the first four goals in the final term, to draw within seven points, but late goals to Mat Fletcher and first-gamer Daniel Kitto saw the home side bank a well-deserved four points.
Marc Holt and Luke Bee-Hugo bagged three each for the winners, who had Max Gearon and Chris Johnson at the top of their game.
Troy McDermott kicked three for Beacy while big-name recruit Beau Dowler started well before fading as the match wore on.
Berwick has overcome an emotional week for the club, giving ROC a 61-point football lesson at Starling Road.
The passing of Ethan Devine, the 15-year-old son of Berwick assistant-coach Todd, last Tuesday, saw a minute’s silence held in his memory prior to the match.
Berwick bounced out of the blocks, with livewire forward Mitch Johnson kicking four first-quarter goals as the Wickers answered any doubts about their ability to bounce back after last week’s huge win over Narre Warren.
Johnson was magnificent for the Wickers, crafting an eight-goal haul that was only dulled by a late injury scare.
Nathan Brewster, Matt Rogers and Ben Tivendale were best for the Kangaroos.
Narre Warren warmed up for this week’s heavyweight showdown against reigning-premier Beaconsfield with an 81-point stroll in the park against Tooradin at Fox Road.
The Magpies, coming off back-to-back losses, simply did what they had to do, depriving the Seagulls of hope with a dominant defensive effort in the first half, and then converting their chances after half time.
Kerem Baskaya booted seven for the Magpies, while midfielder Matt Lee continued his stellar start to the season and left footers Ben Giobbi and Dale Gawley also had impressive outings.
Kyle Van Der Pluym, Adam Splatt and Adam Galea were best for the Seagulls.
Doveton has two weeks off to ready itself for its biggest challenge of the season after an uninspiring 31-point victory over Hampton Park at Robinson Oval.
The bye, then the interleague break, is the precursor to a tough run for Shannon Henwood and his side which faces Pakenham, Narre Warren, Berwick and Cranbourne.
The Doves were slow to begin on the weekend, Hampton Park showing a greater appetite for the contest and keeping the home side goalless in the first term.
The Doves wasted opportunities, kicking 3.7 to 1.1 in the second quarter before controlling the contest after half time.
Mitch Pierce kicked three for the Doves who had Mitch Viney and Russell Gabriel continue their great form.
Bryce Keyser was best for the Redbacks.
