By DAVID NAGEL
A HORROR-STRETCH in front of goal cost Pakenham the chance to cause an upset victory over Narre Warren, with the Lions eventually going down by 61 points at Fox Road.
The Lions had the back-to-back champions on the ropes in the third quarter, but couldn’t deliver the knockout blow, kicking 2.9 to 2.2 for the quarter. It reduced a 16-point deficit to nine at the final break, but the moment was lost, with the Magpies piling on 9.6 to 1.2 in the final term to stamp their class on proceedings.
Narre had the better of a quality first stanza of play and built their way to a 28-point lead, just two minutes before half time, before late goals to debutant Michael Puts and Steve O’Bryan changed the complexion of the match.
The Lions came out breathing fire in the third, an enlightening stretch of play that showed the all-conquering Magpies do have their frailties.
Led by Kym Jones in the ruck, Pakenham started to run, Dom Paynter, Russ Lehman, O’Bryan and youngsters Sam Blackwood and Troy Toussaint found plenty of space … an unusual occurrence against the Magpies. Bad kicking at goal cost the Lions at least a two-goal advantage at three-quarter-time.
Jones was Pakenham’s best player, dominating the ruck, while Puts was super-impressive on debut. The Lions host Berwick on Saturday in a re-match of last year’s elimination final.
BERWICK has made the first big statement in this year’s Casey Cardinia Football League by crushing arch-rival Beaconsfield by 88 points at Edwin Flack Reserve.
The Wickers produced just the right formula, mixing a flamboyant attack with a dour defence to totally dominate the Eagles in this year’s first instalment of the Battle of the Creek.
The Wickers kept the Eagles goal-less in the first half, extending their 47-point advantage with 13 goals-to-six after the break.
Kristian Meredith earned top-honours for his four-quarter blanketing role on Daniel Mislicki, 18-year-old Jake Gains worked tirelessly to nullify the influence of Scott Meyer in the ruck, while a dangerous forward line gave the Eagles constant and intense headaches all afternoon.
Full-forward Nathan Waite hit the contest hard, all day, to kick six goals, while youngster Harry Money kicked four, and made the transition from under 18s to senior footy look easy. All forwards benefitted from the exciting play of midfielder Paul Vanschilt, who looked back to his best after a disappointing 2013.
Brent Heus slotted three for the Eagles, the returning Kris Fletcher battled hard, while Cleyton Bertoncello and Trent Stokoe were the best of a bad bunch.
KEYSBOROUGH will head to the bright lights of Casey Fields to take on Cranbourne on Friday night with a real spring in its step after a 39-point victory over Doveton at Rowley Allen Reserve.
The Burra played four solid-quarters of football, kicking six goals to one after half time, to record their first victory over the Doves since round three 2012. Richard Minney (Noble Park), Daniel Papa (Chirnside Park) and Tim Werner (Gordon) gave the Burra midfield a new-look, while Davor Rajic was the most productive forward on the ground with four goals. Doveton wasted opportunities in the second quarter and its inability to find a focal-point up forward will be an Achilles heel all season. Mitch Viney and Frank D’Agostino battled hard all day for the visitors.
CRANBOURNE’s restructured forward line clicked into gear after half time, the Eagles kicking 13 goals-to-three after the break to defeat ROC by 59 points at Starling Road.
Michael Theodoridis was outstanding for the Eagles, kicking seven goals in a lead-up role, while skipper Marc Holt took an uncharacteristic back-seat to slot four.
“We were asleep in the first half,” Cranbourne coach Scott Sutherland said of his sides’ eight-point deficit.
Max Gearon, Daniel Baker and Tim Smith all hit the scoreboard for the Eagles, courtesy of some good crumbing work, while Brandon Osborne, Ray George and Nick Barker led a frugal defence. Dylan Chapman and James Canty were best for the Kangas.
TOORADIN’s reluctance to hit the panic button and stay calm and composed was the key ingredient in its 107-point win over Hampton Park at Westernport Oval.
The Seagulls were challenged by the Redbacks, who struck seven scoring shots-to-two, to take a 15-point lead to the first break. The Seagulls turned things around in a hurry however, kicking 20.12 to 1.4 after quarter time in a totally dominant display.
Julian Suarez booted seven for the winners while Pat Chin and Jake O’Donnell, with three each, were dangerous. Phil Burns and Adam Splatt were others to shine for the Gulls while Luke O’Brien gritted his teeth all day for the Redbacks.
