By DAVID NAGEL
PAKENHAM’s re-emergence as a force in the Casey Cardinia league continued after the Lions clawed their way to a gritty 30-point win over Beaconsfield at Toomuc Reserve.
The lead changed hands in the first three quarters, before the now third-placed Lions kicked away with a 5.2 to 2.0 last term … their tackling pressure setting them apart.
“We target tackles as a key area of the game and a really good indicator of our intensity and willingness to hunt the football. Our tackling was great today,” coach Steve O’Bryan said.
O’Bryan lifted his side over the line; booting four goals, with two in the last term, while Kym Jones, Nathan Brown and Michael Taurua were all outstanding. Daniel Mislicki and Ben Kerrigan could do no more for the vanquished.
NARRE WARREN ace Kerem Baskaya certainly had his kicking boots on, slotting 14 goals as the Magpies trounced Tooradin by 169 points.
“He’s a genuine star, but probably doesn’t get the recognition he deserves because of the bloke up the road (Cranbourne’s Marc Holt),” coach Chris Toner said.
They’re both champions. Holt’s a freak, but this bloke can hold his own in any company … he’s a seriously good player.”
Baskaya was quite obviously the standout with his goal-kicking heroics while Lee Boyle, Nick Scanlon and the Collins boys, Chris and Michael, all contributed three apiece. Rory Hillis, Jimmy Cottrell, Adam Galea and Shaun Keenan were best for the Seagulls.
BERWICK’s knocking on the door of the top-five has turned into a thump, with the Wickers dominating the middle stages of their match with Doveton to run out 29-point winners.
Rhys Nisbet’s boys fell nine points behind at quarter time, before 10 goals-to-four over the next two quarters saw them take a commanding 35-point lead into three-quarter time.
Young forward Mitch Johnson continued his fine form with four goals, while Tom Brennan, Michael Harold and Jason Kelly were others to stake a claim. Full-back Daniel Zajac and captain Shannon Henwood were best for the Doves.
CRANBOURNE made the most of wet and slippery conditions at Casey Fields … well for one quarter anyway … with a 77-point win over ROC.
In a game where only 16 goals were scored, it was a stunning nine-goal third term that put a space between the two sides.
Marc Holt put his imprimatur on proceedings, kicking seven of his eight goals during the Eagles’ period of dominance, turning a 17-point lead at half time into a 62-point margin at the final break.
Matt Rus, Curtis Barker and Ryan Davey and 200-gamer Leigh Holt dominated the midfield, while Brandon and Glenn Osborne were superb down back. Dylan Chapman, Andrew Logan and Matt Rogers were best for the Kangaroos.
KEYSBOROUGH overcame an unexpected scare from Hampton Park, with the Burra eventually squashing the Redbacks challenge by 27 points at Rowley Allen Reserve.
The Burra skipped out to a 17-point lead at quarter time before the Redbacks responded, winning their first quarter of the season with a 3.3 to 1.0 second term. The comeback was built on a fierce desire from players like Nathan Dawes, Nathan Allen, Sean Winsall and Jimmy VanElewould to compete hard.
The main difference, in the end, was a seven-goal haul from Burra forward Davor Rajic, who joined Jackson Philpin, Danny Morland and Tyson King as the Burra’s best contributors.
