By Brad Kingsbury
PAKENHAM gave Cranbourne a lesson in persistence at Casey Fields, finishing the game full of running to record a 61-point victory on the back of a 10-goal haul from full-forward Daniel Fry.
Except for a period in the third term when the Eagles shaded the Lions around the ground, but kicked inaccurately at goals, it was business as usual for the Casey Cardinia league’s top side – and that’s an ominous sign for all rivals this season.
It was the defensive pressure exerted by the Lions that told the story of the day.
Captain Jared Goldsack did a great job on key Eagle forward and opposing captain Marc Holt, while in-form defender Josh Winter kept Brad Coller quiet, effectively blanketing Cranbourne’s firepower.
At the other end, big-marking burly Lion spearhead Fry imposed himself on the game and led the Cranbourne defenders a merry dance.
The home side had no answer to the run created by the Pakenham midfield, led by veteran Dan O’Loughlin.
Despite some individual patches of brilliance from Stuart Morrish, Chris Doria and zippy rover Jarrod Murphy, the Cranbourne faithful were forced to acknowledge that they were soundly accounted for by the best team in the league at present.
Lions’ coach Michael Holland was guarded as always after the game, but admitted that his side was developing well.
“We went to sleep after half-time and they lifted their work rate,” he said.
“But I was happy with the way we responded in the last quarter and the margin was pretty convincing in the end.
“I’m not into individualising, but one of the areas that we’ve worked on and that’s working for us is our back six or eight.
“They’ve gone about it really well so far and that makes it so much easier for our running players up the field. Also, when you got a bloke who kicks 10 goals at full-forward, well it’s just a big asset for any side.”
Trophy to the Seagulls
TOORADIN chalked up its first senior win since the 2007 elimination final with a crowd-pleasing victory over Devon Meadows at the Western Port oval to win back the perpetual Ron Mantel Shield on Saturday.
Star recruit Chad Liddell lit up the field with his new club with five goals and led it to a solid 33-point triumph over the Panthers who led the game by five goals early in the second term, but faded badly in the second half.
The key to the result was the move of Liddell from the midfield to attack after half-time.
The former AFL player immediately created a good target and suddenly the Seagulls’ attack looked dangerous and capable of kicking a winning score.
The Devon Meadows midfield started to look tired and lethargic despite the absence of star Tooradin big man Steve Arvanitis, who was dropped to the reserves by coach Cristian O’Brien for disciplinary reasons.
While Aaron Henneman (four goals) and Scott Morrison (three) were effective in the forward half, the Panthers did not maintain supply and allowed Seagull playmakers, including Rory Gilliatte, Jack Cole and Beau Miller in his first game back with the club, too much leeway.
The final siren signalled an outpouring of emotion from the success-starved Tooradin supporters and coach O’Brien admitted that it was a major relief.
“It’s what the club needed and it was just great to get a win on the board at last,” he said.
“I’ve never been involved in a club that has gone through a year without a win and it’s not a great feeling. We’ve worked very hard over pre-season and played a much better brand of football so far this year.
“We can’t stop here and we need to build on it, but we know that we now have something to build on and that’s important.”
Beacy buries the Burra
THANKS to a horror run of injuries, Keysborough is little more than a shadow of the side that took on the world to make last year’s grand final and Saturday’s 77-point hiding at the hands of Beaconsfield saw the Burra sink to the bottom of the ladder.
Finals are all but forgotten at the Rowley Allen Reserve at present with the focus of the coaching department firmly set on, firstly finding 21 fit players to take the field and secondly chalking up a win – in any grade!
After a bright opening to the game in the first term, the Eagles converted a 16-point quarter-time deficit into a six-goal lead at the main break, all but putting the end result beyond doubt.
Keysborough started the game without Shaun Witherden, Warrick Hanks and Clinton King and by quarter time had lost Karl Schoenmaekers (hamstring), Jason Scandizzo (knee) and Andrew Ferguson (shoulder) for the rest of the afternoon.
Beaconsfield also had its concerns with coach Robbie Taylor off the field with concussion early in the game, however the Eagles were far more composed and used run-ning players in Joel Gibson, Glenn Penglase, Andrew Williams and Daniel Mislicki to far better effect than their opponents.
The procession continued after half-time with Beaconsfield booting 10 goals to three for the half and completely out-playing the strangely hesitant and lethargic Burra.
Keysborough coach Greg Siwes said the start to the season was anything but ideal, but refused to use injuries as an excuse for lack of intensity.
“We’re not having a lot of luck and things aren’t travelling too smoothly at the moment it’s fair to say,” he understated.
“We can’t afford to lose experienced players, especially early in a game, but that’s not the reason (for the recent losses). It’s quite simply our concentration and work rate isn’t good enough.
“It’s confidence as well. We’re not making the most of our opportunities when we do get them and that hurts when you have a side like Beaconsfield that comes back and kicks six goals in a row.”
