Cranbourne did most of the high-flying against Narre Warrem last weekend, but the Magpies will have to be up and jumping away at Pakenham this week. 68201 Picture: Donna Oates
By Mark Gullick
HALFWAY through the third term at Kalora Park, Narre Warren had raging premiership favourites Cranbourne on the ropes.
A three-goal burst, including two by Aaron McIver, placed the Magpies five goals ahead of the Eagles.
However, a pivotal turnover proved costly for Narre Warren and Cranbourne seized the momentum to pile on a succession of goals.
The Eagles kicked 10 goals in the final quarter to win by 57 points.
“I don’t know if any team had been that far in front (of Cranbourne) at any stage of the year,” Toner said.
“But against quality sides you can’t take your foot off the gas and that’s what we did.
“We just relaxed for a 10-minute period and they were good enough to take it. We learnt and we’ll take a lot of positives out of that game.
“The last 15 minutes made it worse than what it was.”
Ruckman Matthew Olney, dashing defender Michael McGill and midfielder Daniel Field played well.
@BT Sub Sport News:BERWICK v PAKENHAM
BERWICK completed an astonishing 257-point turnaround with a devastating 134-point belting of Pakenham at Edwin Flack Reserve.
There was disbelief across the league as news filtered through that Berwick kicked 10.3 in the opening term and held Pakenham scoreless.
Berwick ensured its hobbled opposition never recovered en route to a massive win.
“We brought in seven guys which helped us,” coach Dean Rice said.
“We refocused on our game plan that we had at the start of the year; I thought we’d gone away from that a little bit.”
Kristian Meredith was superb for Berwick, combining skill and pluck with great success, while Nathan Waite annihilated the strong Lions defence with eight goals.
@BT Sub Sport News:TOORADIN-DALMORE v
BEACONSFIELD
POOR goalkicking led to Beaconsfield’s downfall at Tooradin Recreation Reserve.
The Eagles led at every break before fading in the final term to lose by two points.
Daniel Battaglin has been one of Beaconsfield’s top performers in the past two months, as he continues his rapid rise as one of the league’s premier defenders.
Jesse Linkins and Daniel Mislicki played well.
