THE medicos at Doveton have earned their stripes this season and were again busy in Saturday’s solid 70point result over a lethargic Keysborough at Robinson Reserve.
The Doves’ 70point win over the improved Burra was made more meritorious by the fact that they had no interchange players after halftime, with Justin Hill, Daryl Thomas and Aaron McIver unable to return to the field.
Their injuries were sustained during a scrappy and mistakeriddled first half that had few highlights.
The Doves led by 26 points at the main break and always looked to have the match within their grasp.
A halftime revup from coach Steve Henwood snapped the home side out of its lethargy and saw the tempo lift significantly.
Star Dove David George led the way in the midfield and finished the afternoon with five goals, while talented younger players, including David Welling, Keith Dobson and Trevor Davies, also raised their efforts to ensure a good victory.
Former Doveton wingman Robert Norris was among the Burra’s best performers against his old side, while William Gayfer, Stuart Nagle and youngster Matt Freeman played serviceable games.
Henwood said the effort was pleasing, given the fact that he only had the bare 18 for half a game and those left had to lift their workrate.
“It’s always good to perform like that and even better, considering we had a couple of key players out of the team already in Clint Wilson and Rowdy (Brad Downe),” he said.
“I got a bit wound up at halftime and we came out and really cleaned them up in the second half. It was really good.
“Everybody had to dig in and they did that and did it well. It gets you back to reality a bit because the players left had to work that much harder.”
Keysborough president Clay Cullen acknowledged Doveton was the better side on the day and said the Burra players would learn from the game.
“We had a few out, but that’s no excuse. They were good and I’ll admit I wasn’t that confident before the game this week,” he said.
“Doveton is a good side and they’re always competitive no matter where they are on the ladder. We’re still learning, but they were too good.”
THE roundthree debt carried by Hampton Park after they went down to Devon Meadows was paid with interest on Saturday, with the Redbacks exacting revenge to the tune of 172 points.
The Panthers were severely undermanned due to injury, but the way the Redbacks attacked the game it likely would not have mattered, because they were in no mood to muck around, booting six goals to three in the first term and then lifting significantly.
The opening quarter turned out to be the Panthers best and they managed only two more goals for the match to Hampton Park’s 24 as the home side toyed with their inexperienced opponents.
Devon Meadows coach Wayne Briggs played his second game, but had little influence, while Daniel Mullen, Brent Clinnick and Robert Baumgartner all battled away manfully for the defeated side.
Hampton Park did not have a passenger and key forwards Kerem Baskaya (11 goals) and Mitch Whatman (nine goals) made the most of the consistent supply from a winning midfield led by ruckman Steven Watson, Pat Clish and Michael O’Brien.
Redbacks coach Jason Chapple was happy with the result, but more pleased that his team came through the game unscathed after accepting the opportunity to smash a side by maintaining its intensity for four quarters.
CRANBOURNE youngster Ash Adams snared six goals in a dominant game against Casey Cardinia League strugglers Dingley, during his side’s 104point win at Casey Fields.
The Dingoes started the game promisingly, booting two goals in the opening term to Cranbourne’s four, but the home side’s superior strength and running game took hold after that and saw the competition take a predictable turn.
With fellow forwards Marc Holt and Matt Bayley helping themselves to five goals each, Adams joined in to create a winning attack that booted 13 goals to two in the second and third quarters.
Aaron Pike, Luke Martin and strongmarking young gun Stuart Morrish also took the opportunity to grab top form as Cranbourne tuned up for a challenging month to finish a season of development.
The Dingoes best players included lanky ruckman Chris Morgan, William Kelly, Jai Smith and consistent captain Tony Lavars.
