By DAVID NAGEL
PAKENHAM moved into second place on the Casey Cardinia league ladder and set up a double-chance decider against Beaconsfield this week after a clinical 66-point defeat of Tooradin.
The Lions led by 29 points at half-time before ramping things up in the third, kicking 5.8 to 0.0 with the breeze, locking in four valuable premiership points.
The Lions unleashed VFL star Michael Sikora for the occasion and, while conditions didn’t suit, he showed enough to suggest he’ll be a nightmare for opposition teams over the coming weeks.
Beau Wheeler kicked three, and Sam Blackwood was super-impressive for the Lions, while Jimmy Cottrell and Matt Wade were best for the Seagulls.
BEACONSFIELD’s intensity and pressure proved too much for Cranbourne on its way to a 28-point win at Casey Fields.
Beacy’s win was never in doubt after it used a strong breeze to advantage in the first term, taking a 35-point lead, before turning the last three quarters into a close-in battle … only three goals were scored after quarter time.
Damien and Daniel Johnston, Meyer, and skipper Daniel Mislicki were fantastic for the winners while Matt Fletcher, Brandon and Glenn Osborne, and Marc Holt, who spent an unusual amount of time in defence, were solid for Cranny.
BERWICK survived a scare on its way to a 32-point win over ROC.
The Wickers played a cracking third-quarter, into a howling-breeze at Edwin Flack, keeping the Kangaroos to just two goals for the quarter, and then kicking six goals to two in the last.
Tom Brennan was magnificent for the Wickers, adding four goals to a best-on-ground display, while James Canty and Aaron Unsworth battled hard for the Kangaroos.
DOVETON was another to receive a fright, the Doves season still alive after a thrilling two-point win over Keysborough.
There was never more than seven points the difference at any change – a lead the Burra held at the final break – but a gritty 1.5 to 0.2 final term got Shannon Henwood’s team across the line.
Scott Dinsdale and Michael Laszczyk were best for the winners while Davor Rajic slotted five for the Burra.
NARRE WARREN crushed Hampton Park by 173 points at Fox Road with Lee Boyle’s seven goals the highlight of the day.
First-gamer Jackson Bianco was also impressive, kicking three for the Magpies, while Lionel Beniot and Mitch Hill were best for the Redbacks.
