By DAVID NAGEL
ABRACADABRA – Pakenham’s best football magically appeared from nowhere on Saturday, the Lions pulling a rabbit out of their hats with a seven-goal final term to over-run Tooradin by 28 pints at Toomuc Reserve.
Bottled down for three quarters, the Lions exploited a 17-man Seagulls’ outfit in the final term, chewing up and spitting out a 14-point three-quarter time deficit to run out impressive winners.
Tooradin’s extensive full-ground press made scoring tough for the home side. But the send-off of Adam Splatt – the result of an incident with Jack Anning – just prior to the three-quarter time siren, gave the Lions just the sniff that they needed.
Tooradin’s last-quarter record was already deplorable and with a man down they had no answer to the Lions’ last-quarter assault.
Pakenham had plenty of contributors in the final term but it was the four-quarter efforts of Cory Lenders, Anthony Young, Russ Lehman and young-gun Sam Blackwood that kept them in the contest throughout the day.
“Russ is playing some good footy at the moment but it was great to see Nugget (Lenders) and Younger play really well in conditions that suited,” coach Steve O’Bryan said.
“Throw in Kym Jones and General (Dean Blake) and I thought our leaders really stood up when it mattered.”
Full-forward Daniel Fry continued his return to form, with four goals for the Lions, while Lehman’s ability to drift forward as a midfielder can never be questioned and he finished with three.
Michael Hobbs, Kris Sabbatucci and Brett Scarcella were prime movers for the Seagulls while young ruckman Michael Wallace continues to impress.
Berwick has announced itself as a real contender for this year’s title after a hard-earned 27-point victory over Cranbourne at Casey Fields on Saturday.
The story early was of Cranbourne’s intent, both verbally and physically, to rough up Berwick’s high-prized recruit Aaron Purvis. The Eagles were relentless with their attack as they hit the solidly built midfielder with everything but the kitchen sink.
First quarter highlights included the battle in the ruck between Jake Gains and Michael Boland while speed-merchants Tom Brennan and Ryan Jones scorched centre wing. It was the Eagles by 18 points at quarter time with spear-head Marc Holt having three on the board.
Berwick gained the ascendency in the second quarter with Jordy Andrews slotting two inside 10 minutes. Purvis and Madi Andrews – the Wickers’ distributors – gave their runners first use of the ball. Three goals in red-time, including two to Mitch Johnson, gave the visitors a 10-point edge at the main break.
The story of the second half was that only one scoring shot was registered into a now stiff breeze. The score, a goal on the three-quarter-time siren, to Johnson, was a real momentum swinger after Cranbourne wasted opportunities, kicking 4.6 to 1.0 for the quarter.
Cranbourne was brave in the last, but Berwick’s running ability finally cracked them, hitting the front at the 16-minute mark and running away with a comfortable victory. The two J’s, Johnson and Jordy, slotted four each for the winners while youngsters in Gains, Brennan, and Jake Yields didn’t shirk an issue all day.
Holt finished with five, and Michael Theodoridis three for the Eagles, while Jones, Bee-Hugo and Max Gearon – who recovered from a quiet first half – were all solid contributors.
A classic nine-goal second quarter from Beaconsfield proved the difference in an otherwise dull affair against ROC.
Only 16 goals were scored in the Eagles 65-point victory, nine of those coming in a 30-minute display of sustained brilliance.
Kris Fletcher, Troy McDermott and Josh Dodsworth kicked multiple goals for the Eagles, who shared things around with nine players contributing to their 13-goal effort. Daniel Mislicki and Scott Meyer were others to shine.
Narre Warren’s legacy continues to grow after the Magpies chalked up their 40th consecutive win with a 129-point belting of Keysborough at Fox Road.
The Magpies’ defence was superb, Nick Scanlon, Ryan Morrison, Ben King and Lee Boyle nullifying their opponents and providing plenty of drive forward. But it was in the front half where the damage was done, Kerem Baskaya at his strong-marking best with eight goals, while Justin Marriott was dangerous with four. Geoff Humphreys slotted three for the Burra.
A new-look Doveton wore its strip clash with pride in a 48-point win over Hampton Park.
The Doves also unveiled renovations to their spiritual home at Robinson Oval as they marched to their second win of the season and fourth place on the ladder. Simon Black was the only player on the ground to kick more than one goal, bagging three, while Ryan Pearson and Phil Nanfra were effective four-quarter contributors.
