By DAVID NAGEL
PAKENHAM produced its best four-quarter performance of the season when it downed Tooradin by 50-points at Western Port Oval.
The Lions were gritty, battling their way to a 13-point lead at the last break, before running away with a 6.5 to 0.4 last quarter.
Tackling pressure highlighted the performance.
“We applied pressure on the ball carrier and there weren’t many broken tackles which can only come through intent,” Pakenham coach Steve O’Bryan said.
O’Bryan was the dominant forward on the ground, kicking six, while Damian Talbot shut down Tooradin prime-mover Matt Wade.
Ryan Eaton and Chris Langley booted three each for the Seagulls.
CRANBOURNE once again had to get its hands dirty and dig deep as it overcame a spirited challenge from Beaconsfield by 10-points in Saturday’s clash at Holm Park Road.
The Casey Cardinia round six match-up went down to the wire with Beaconsfield having chances to first draw, then win in the dying stages before a late Cranbourne goal sealed a hard-fought win.
Beacy outpointed Cranbourne in the first half, increasing a five-point lead at quarter time to a two-goal buffer at the main break.
Cranbourne then responded, making some minor structural changes to level scores up at three-quarter-time before kicking four goals to two in the final term.
“It was a very disciplined performance,” Cranbourne coach Doug Koop said.
“We adapted a little to their game style and worked our way back into the contest.”
Cranbourne’s unsung backline was once again superb with Ray George, Stu Morrish, Brandon Osborne, Nick Barker and Matt Thompson all proving resilient.
Daniel Battaglin was outstanding for Beaconsfield, shutting down Marc Holt, while Ryan Cotter, Daniel Mislicki and Shaun Pollard were joined by the Johnston boys, Damien and Daniel, as the home side’s major contributors.
BERWICK smashed a disappointing ROC by 107-points at Starling Road.
With Nathan Waite, six goals, and Jordy Andrews and Mitchell Johnson, four apiece, firing up front, the Wickers drew away with a stunning- seven-goal last term.
Berwick was well served by midfield dynamos, Madi Andrews and Michael Harold while youngsters Chris McKay and debutant Jake Wilson were others to take a bow.
Kristian Meredith did a great job on Ryan Hendy while Tom Brennan, two goals, and Nick Sear were other major contributors.
Andrew Logan, Dylan Chapman and Ben Tivendale were best for the still winless Kangaroos.
DOVETON consolidated second place on the league-ladder with a solid 26-point win over Keysborough at Robinson Oval.
The Doves dominated the second and third terms, taking a 42-point lead into the final quarter, before the Burra showed good fight to reduce the margin late.
Shannon Stocco, five goals, and Michael Henry, three, were dangerous avenues to goal while Michael Laszczyk and Frank D’Agostino did well around the ground.
Keysborough could have waved the white-flag at three-quarter-time but fought the game out well.
Danny Morland, Joseph Scata, ever-green Corey Wilkinson and Michael Downie kept the effort high all day.
NARRE Warren remains unbeaten after it trounced Hampton Park by 167 points in the top versus bottom clash at Robert Booth Reserve.
An 11-goal second quarter and a highly inaccurate last term of 6.12 highlighted the Magpies dominance.
Kerem Baskaya, seven goals, and Aaron McIver, five, hit the scoreboard hard while Michael Collins
Dylan Quirk, Ben Wragg and Chris and Matt Lee all gained a dose of leather-poisoning.
Tim Schwab, Lionel Beniot and Jack Jones had the home crowd cheering with a goal each while Jackson Philpin, Sean Winsall, Dylan McKenzie and Nathan Dawes put up a fight to the end.
