By DAVID NAGEL
PAKENHAM and Cranbourne will bring an early taste of September to Casey Cardinia football on Saturday when one of the biggest prizes in home-and-away football goes up for grabs at Casey Fields.
The young but talented second-placed Lions take on the big-game experience of the third-placed Eagles in a game that will decide which of these two teams can lock away a double-chance with just one round remaining in the season.
This one will come down to which team can take its chances, and how the Lions’ forward line led by Daniel Fry, Cory Lenders, Troy Toussaint and Jake Barclay can penetrate a Cranbourne back-six that has weathered many a heavy-storm in the past.
The Lions will enter this week’s encounter with some work to do after making heavy weather of their expected romp against Hampton Park on Saturday. The Lions won by 49 points, but only after a 6.7 to 2.1 final term put the issue beyond doubt. Troy Toussaint, Russ Lehman and Michael Puts were best for the winners.
Berwick had an amazing 15 shots at goal to Tooradin’s one, in the first quarter of their clash at Edwin Flack Reserve, before the Seagulls finished fast to score a memorable 16-point victory.
Berwick wasted their opportunity to lock away the four points, kicking 5.10 to 1.0 in the first quarter before the young Seagulls fought their way back into the contest, still trailing by 20 at three-quarter time.
With star midfielder Matt Wade in devastating form, and Paddy Chin at his opportunistic best up forward, the Seagulls piled on 7.2 to 1.2 in the final term to run out convincing winners. Chin finished with six for the victors, and Wade was superb, while youngsters Jake Gains, Jayden Goumas and Jake Yields were best for the Wickers who lacked leadership when it counted.
Premiership favourite Narre Warren gave skipper Michael Collins the perfect present for his 200th game, smashing ROC by 128 points at Fox Road.
Collins was at his six-time premiership winning best, controlling the midfield with Dylan Quirk, Jackson Parker and Jordyn Flannery in tow, while full-forward Kerem Baskaya made it 39 goals in his last four games with an 11-goal haul.
The Kangaroos were never in the hunt, but Ben O’Loughlin and Brad Thompson can hold their heads high and Matty Clarke did kick three goals after being moved from defence to attack.
Beaconsfield did what it had to do, and nothing more, rolling Keysborough by 56 points to keep its double chance hopes alive at Rowley Allen Reserve.
The Eagles led by just five points at quarter time, but a 9.12 to 2.3 burst through the second and third quarters locked away the victory. Shaun Pollard continued his great form up forward, with four goals in a best on ground display for the Eagles, while Jayden Gee, Scotty Meyer, and regular defender Cleyton Bertoncello were others to shine. Bryce Sutton and Tim Werner were best for the Burra.
Cranbourne has bounced back to the winner’s list in impressive style, clicking into gear after quarter time to gun down Doveton by 118 points at Casey Fields.
The Eagles big guns were at it again, with Marc Holt kicking eight, and Michael Theodoridis six, while Tim Smith kicked four.
It was just one of those days for the Doves, who were non-competitive for the first time since Narre Warren gave them a 94-point touch up back in round eight.
As usual it was captain-coach Shannon Henwood who led the way, backed up by Scott Dinsdale and Aaron Henwood.
