By DAVID NAGEL
DOVETON has announced itself as a potential contender in the South East Football League this season after a 49-point victory over Pakenham at Robinson Oval.
The Doves, who took a four-one record into the contest, had been unimpressive against the lower teams in the competition, but showed their best is good enough against the previously unbeaten Lions.
Doveton, strengthened by the inclusion of Sam Raru and Jake Dermott, fought tooth and nail with the Lions for three quarters, before breaking their spirit in the final term.
The Doves’ relentless pressure took over as they piled on 8.3 to 2.4 to run out impressive winners.
“That was the key, pressure, how we could pressure them and stop them from breaking free,” Doveton coach Shannon Henwood said.
“No team is immune to pressure; pressure was definitely the key today.”
Jarrad Boumann kicked four, and was best on ground for the victors, while ruckman Russell Gabriel was hot on his tail with three. Raru was dominant through the midfield while Dermott and Mitch Davies were terrific in key-defensive roles.
Skipper Dean Blake and Damien Holmes were best for the Lions.
Cranbourne champion Marc Holt bagged the 15th double-figure haul of his career, kicking 13 goals in the Eagles’ massive 181-point victory over a dismal Hampton Park at Casey Fields.
Holt was tremendous as he charged towards 900 goals for the club but, let’s be honest, as a contest this one didn’t last long at all.
The Eagles were absolutely ruthless, slamming home 25 goals to two after the first break, taking the visitors back to the dark old days of seasons gone by.
Holt was clearly the best man on the ground, while Jones, ‘Fancy Boots’ Josh Rich and Matt Fletcher all did as they liked, slamming home four each for the afternoon.
Berwick warmed up for this week’s season-defining trip to Pakenham with a methodical 56-point home victory over Tooradin.
The Wickers dominated possession in the first quarter, but squandered opportunities, kicking 5.7 to 2.2, before the game settled into a dourer struggle from that point forward.
Tim Gunn carried a currently undermanned forward line, booting three, while ruckman James Phillips, interleague skipper Michael Harold and Luke Sheppard were other standouts for the winners. Kyle Van Der Pluym kicked three, to continue his terrific form for the Seagulls, while Ryan White has his best game for the season.
Reigning-premier Beaconsfield was lucky to survive a dangerous trip to ROC, coming from 14-points behind at the final break to score a 15-point victory at Starling Road.
The Eagles were lucky the Kangaroos didn’t have their kicking boots on in the third-term, they kicked 4.5 to 1.2, leaving the door ajar for the champs who duly marched through.
Beau Dowler kicked three for the winners, who had Tyson Mitchem, Ben Kerrigan and Scott Meyer lift their rating when things got desperate.
Casey Scorpion Brenton Hillard was outstanding for the Roos.
