By David Nagel
A stunning four-goal burst in eight minutes at the end of the third quarter has propelled South Belgrave to a 32-point victory over an injury-depleted Beaconsfield at Holm Park Reserve.
The Saints key forwards, Taylor Garner and Tim Smith, got off the leash for a small portion of the contest; kicking three of those four goals on the way to a 9.11(65) to 4.9(33) win that sees the Saints a game clear in second place on the ladder.
Beaconsfield coach Mick Fogarty has been around football for a long while; but can’t remember ever making seven changes to a line up from week to week.
There was one good-news story among the seven omissions, with Josh Mounter making his VFL debut for Frankston, but the chapters of Darren Minchington, Brandon White, Nathan Wright, Myles Currie, Brady Niezgodka and Lachlan Modica weren’t so fortunate.
The low point is an ACL injury to Modica that will see the in-form winger miss the remainder of the season.
The Eagles brought in capable replacements in Mackay Bateson, Casey Wassylko, Jafar Ocaa, Patrick Ward, Ben Fogarty, Ryan Williamson and first-gamer Corey Brown…and hit the ground with intent.
Midfielder Daniel Wynd opened the scoring for the Saints, but when Hayden Brough made the most of some great tackling pressure from Bateson the local rivals were back on a level footing.
Damian Garner gave the Saints a four-point lead at quarter time, but set-shot misses from Devon Smith and Charlie Muley cost the Eagles from taking an advantage to the first break.
The second quarter followed a similar theme, with Beaconsfield having more shots at goal – six to four – but only narrowly cutting the margin to two points at half time.
Muley converted a set shot, while a magnificent goal on the run from Sam Merrick was the definitive second-quarter highlight.
Charlie Peters and Taylor Garner answered for the Saints, before a dour battle began the third quarter.
Neither team could gain the ascendency, but when the Saints pounced first – 22 minutes into the third term – it began the run of four goals in eight minutes that would ultimately decide the contest.
Smith snapped the first after gaining control of a ruck contest, before Taylor Garner converted a classy checkside from tight in on the boundary.
Ruck Mitchell Garner then gave Liam Kidd some sliver-service out of the ruck, before Smith completed the hot-patch with a long bomb from outside 50.
A game that was regularly being decided by single digits had suddenly blown out to 28 points at the final change.
Both teams could manage just a goal a piece in the final term to see the Saints run out comfortable winners.
Taylor Garner, Smith and Wynd all booted two each for South Belgrave, who had Kidd and Peters in great form through the midfield, while Mitchell Garner made good use of his height advantage in the ruck.
The Eagles were brave in defeat, but now slip to fifth and host fourth-placed Montrose in another important clash this Saturday.
Fogarty and his team then enjoy a perfectly-timed bye; and should regain some troops for an expected run home to finals.
Casey Wassylko toiled hard against a bigger opponent in the ruck, while Connor Mouat, Finn Devine and Kobe Shipp did well on some classy opponents down back.
Devon Smith and Kade De La Rue were also impressive for the Eagles, who should regain the composure of Brandon White for this week’s crucial clash against the Demons.
South Belgrave has the bye this week, before hosting top-of-the-ladder Park Orchards on Saturday 20 July.
BEACONSFIELD 1.4 3.8 3.8 4.9(33)
SOUTH BELGRAVE 2.2 4.4 8.6 9.11(65)
Beaconsfield Goals: Hayden Brough, Sam Merrick, Charlie Muley, Devon Smith. Best: Casey Wassylko, Connor Mouat, Devon Smith, Kade De La Rue, Finn Devine, Kobe Shipp.
South Belgrave Goals: Taylor Garner 2, Tim Smith 2, Daniel Wynd 2, Damian Garner, Liam Kidd, Charlie Peters. Best: Liam Kidd, Mitchell Garner, Jordan Nuku, Charlie Peters, Brody Connelly, Will Bromley.
Other Games R13: Bayswater 5.7(37) def by Mitcham 13.7(85), Doncaster 12.8(80) def Wantirna South 10.5(65), Montrose 10.22(82) def by Park Orchards 13.12(90), North Ringwood 9.6(60) def by Mooroolbark 12.7(79).
Ladder: Park Orchards 48, South Belgrave 40, Mitcham 36, Montrose, Beaconsfield 32, Mooroolbark 28, Bayswater 16, North Ringwood, Doncaster 12, Wantirna South 4.
Fixture R14: Saturday 13 July: Bayswater (7) v Mooroolbark (6), Beaconsfield (5) v Montrose (4).
Saturday 20 July: Doncaster (9) v North Ringwood (8), Mitcham (3) v Wantirna South (10), South Belgrave (2) v Park Orchards (1).
