By Marcus Uhe
Wandin survived a fright to get back to winning ways with a three-point victory over Olinda Ferny Creek at home on Saturday in the Outer East’s Premier Division.
The pressure was on the Bulldogs midway through the third term, as a run of five consecutive goals to Olinda Ferny Creek saw the bottom-placed side lead by 16 points midway through the quarter.
But two goals to Clint Johnson and another to Tom Merlino ensured that the Bulldogs took a slender three-point lead heading into the final term, desperate to atone for consecutive losses in the previous two weeks.
John Ladner got the home side off to the perfect start in the last term with a goal from a boundary throw-in to push the lead to nine points, and their opponents weren’t able to respond for another 15 minutes, goaling in the 23rd minute to make for a tense final eight.
Both sides had a number of chances to either snatch or grow the lead but were unable to convert, with the final siren showing Wandin victorious by three points, 10.13 73 to 10.10 70.
Wandin midfielders Patrick Bruzzese, Cody Hirst and Chayce Black were instrumental in the win, as was small forward Merlino’s return to form, hitting scoreboard for the first time since round six after a blistering start to the year with 12 goals in six outings.
Matthew Scharenberg was one of Olinda Ferny Creek’s best, having got the ball rolling with the first two goals of the five-goal run in the third term, as were Lachlan Taylor, Lachlan Bates and Daniel Toma.
At Monbulk, six goals to the dynamic Will Howe led Narre Warren to a 37-point win over Monbulk in captain Jake Richardson’s 150th game.
After an even and physical opening term, the Magpies separated themselves from their opponents in the second quarter, kicking four goals in 20 minutes to open the period and establish a 30-point lead.
The margin grew to as much as 51 points during the final quarter as the Magpies flexed its muscle before the Hawks added some respectability late in the game, with the final score reading 13.10 88 to 7.9 51.
Tom Miller dominated the game from the middle once again and added another two goals, and the big body of Kurt Mutimer was critical in the wet.
Trent Papworth and Jesse Davies had the honour of chairing Richardson off the ground in his milestone match for the black and white.
Glenn Strachan kicked two goals for Monbulk while Lachlan Sheppard put in a strong performance in the ruck.
At Upwey Tecoma, Woori Yallock shook off a slow start to power home by three goals against a plucky Upwey Tecoma.
Woori Yallock found themselves down by five points at the half before a strong second half saw them kick-away, outscoring the home side 48 to 25 to record a third consecutive win, and maintain its two-game buffer on fourth place.
Zach Monkhorst continued his stellar run of form for Woori Yallock, as did Sam Wicks for Upwey Tecoma.
