Doves back on track

By Brad Kingsbury
DOVETON has come through a spate of injuries and patchy form to again look on track for a big shot at this year’s flag.
That fact was emphasised by a strong 19point win over Beaconsfield on Saturday.
That said, the Eagles also impressed and while success at the pointy end of the season may be a year or two off, there is no doubt that the youngsters from the Perc Allison Reserve are on the right track.
Saturday’s loss would have been a good learning experience for those inexperienced in the conditions and both coaches agreed afterwards that it had been an excellent contest played in good spirit with the better team winning on the day.
Beaconsfield kicked the first three goals in the bitterly cold conditions and took the early advantage before the Doves steadied to finish the first quarter with two late majors.
The Doves gained the edge in a tough and unforgiving second term, with Ryan Brown presenting well in attack and using his big frame to advantage in the packs.
The halftime difference was eight points and that was reduced by one point to seven in the third term, with the young Eagles maintaining pressure and forcing Doveton to spray its shots at goal.
The final term saw the bigger and more experienced 2005 premiers kick away and then hold out their opposition with Doveton defender Ricky Hayes leading the way.
The battle between opposing ruckmen Chris Kelf and Clint Wilson was an entertaining sidelight to the game with both among the day’s best players, while Shannon Clarke played a great game on Eagle Daniel Mislicki after he dominated early.
Victorious coach Stephen Henwood was full of praise for both sides and also gave the umpires credit for allowing the sides to play.
“Beaconsfield was good. They really came to win it and they took it right up to us,” he said.
“Goals were hard to come by and we had to modify our game. The instructions were to pick up the ball and kick it our way and make sure you were standing in front, that was it.
“We probably adjusted our game a bit better than they did and that was the difference.
“It was tough and I think the umpires did the right thing and put the whistle away after half time.”
Beaconsfield’s best included Kelf, Kris Fletcher and Robbie Taylor, while tagger Tim Musgrove did a great job on Doveton playmaker Justin Hill and 16yearold debutant Sam Benbow showed tremendous courage.
Eagles coach Haydn Robins said playing Doveton was always a challenge and his team’s effort was good overall.
“We don’t have enough talent in the team to carry blokes and at this stage and we all have to play well to compete,” he said.
“We got ground down by an experienced team with bigger bodies, but that’s part of the learning process. I reckon our boys have come a long way this year and we have to keep that going.”