Sport
Shaky Bulls leave the door ajar By Nick Creely JOURNAL FOOTBALL REVIEW EASTERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE REVIEW - ROUND 15 Noble Park’s season is now hanging in the balance after yet another agonising defeat on Saturday to Doncaster, 6.8(44) to 7.6(48). Mick Fogarty’s men - who started the season like a house on fire - now remain in fifth position, only on percentage, with three matches to go, and have lost their past two outings. Against the wind in the first quarter the Bulls managed to quell the Sharks to an extent, holding them to just three goals, although they failed to kick a goal themselves. Finding a bit more spark in the second quarter, superstar Sam Monaghan (two goals) helped claw the hosts back into the game somewhat, but still faced a 12-point deficit into half time. But another goalless quarter meant the Bulls would have to scramble to win in the last, with the Sharks opening up a game high 23-point margin with a quarter left to play. And despite roaring home with a four-goal to one last quarter, the Bulls fell short of the fourth placed Sharks, leaving the door ajar for a late season swoop by either Blackburn or Norwood. The Bulls need to respond when they travel to face third placed Balwyn on Saturday. SOUTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 2 - ROUND 17 A rarely troubled Keysborough helped themselves to a workmanlike 15-point victory over Springvale Districts, 9.11(65) to 7.8(50). The third placed Burras, off the back of another Tim Werner (two goals) special, led at every change despite a plucky Demons’ lineup refusing to go away. Perennial goal kicker Stefan Feehan (four goals) was outstanding for the visitors, and took his tally up to 34 for the season. The finals bound Burras travel to play Hampton at Peterson Street on Saturday, while Spring-
Picture: ROB CAREW
Doveton Eagles star Enayte Samadi runs in to kick a goal against Carrum-Patterson Lakes on Saturday. 171303 vale Districts will play Caulfield at Koornang. DIVISION 3 - ROUND 16 Flicking the switch in a dominant six-goal third quarter, the Doveton Eagles smashed Carrum-Patterson Lakes by 38 points at Power Reserve on Saturday. After leading by 21 points in an inaccurate first half, the Eagles found another gear in the third kicking 6.2 to just 1.0 to run away with the contest in stunning fashion, 15.13(103) to 9.11(65).
Corrie Wilson racked yet another best-afield performance for the Eagles, while Enyate Samadi (three goals) was equally impressive. Meanwhile, Endeavour Hills paid for its horrible inaccuracy, losing to Black Rock by 10-points at McDonald Reserve, 8.13(61) to 5.21(51). Kicking 1.6 in the first quarter, the Eagles were woeful in front of goal, kicking 4.15 in the remaining three quarters. In other matches, Sandown 1.3(9) were never
going to threaten Hallam 28.12(180), Dandenong 9.11(65) were outplayed by Lyndale 23.13(151), Lyndhurst 11.9(75) scored an away win over Moorabbin 7.6(48) and Ashwood 14.14(98) defeated South Yarra 6.10(46). With just two rounds left to play the current top five is: Hallam, Ashwood, Doveton Eagles, Endeavour Hills and Black Rock.
Stingrays in a nasty mood against the Pioneers By Nick Creely TAC CUP - REVIEW - ROUND 15 Back at their Shepley Oval fortress, the Dandenong Stingrays expectedly dispatched the bottom placed Bendigo Pioneers by a whopping 89-points on a windy Saturday afternoon. After last week’s gut-wrenching two-point loss to Gippsland Power, the ‘Rays - desperate to get their top four hopes back on track - where in no mood to muck around right from the start. With a six-goal breeze favoring the ‘Rays in the opening term, the home side were on the board almost instantly through big man Bailey Williams. Quick goals to Finlay Bayne, Jamie Plumridge and Jai Nanscawen, who kicked a ripper out of a forward 50 stoppage, suddenly saw the home side lead 30 to 0 after just 10 minutes of play. They didn’t stop there, with the ‘Rays banging on another four goals and three behinds in the final twenty minutes to almost ice the game at quarter time - 51-points ahead of a clearly de-
jected Pioneers outfit. The ‘Rays - off the back of their usual suspects in midfield jet Hunter Clark, Riley D’Arcy (four goals), Nanscawen (two goals) and skipper Josh Bateman - added further pain, slamming on another 10 goals in the next two quarters to take an ominous 81-point lead into the final change. After a goal early in the final term to young forward Bayne, the feeling was well and truly out of the game, with the ‘Rays significantly taking the foot off the pedal. But it was a complete performance from a team just building nicely at the right time of the season. Clark - who was arguably best afield in last week’s thriller - once again starred through the midfield, and showed he can impact the scoreboard with another couple of classy goals. But apart from Clark, who was clearly the most dominant player on the park, the ‘Rays were well rounded all over the field, with Riley Bowman and Williams dominating the ruck, D’Arcy outmuscling the defenders up forward and sturdy
defender Angus Paterson ensuring there would be no defensive lapses. The ‘Rays will hit the road in Round 16 with a clash against the Greater Western Victoria Rebels in Ballarat. The Rebels sit second last in what has been a tough season, with the ‘Rays looking to continue their impressive build into the finals. STINGRAYS 7.9 11.11 17.14 20.18(138) PIONEERS 0.0 3.3 5.5 7.7(49) STINGRAYS GOALS: R. D’Arcy 4, F. Bayne 3, J. Nanscawen 2, F. Mitropoulos 2, H. Clark 2, J. Plumridge 2, T. Murphy 2, B. Williams, M. Cotter, J. Barker BEST: H. Clark, R. D’Arcy, J. Taylor, R. Bowman, B. Williams, J. Bateman PIONEERS GOALS: B. Kemp, A. Schumacher, L. Fitzgerald, J. Schischka, A. Byrne, L. Davis, K. Farrell BEST: M. Kemp, A. Schumacher, D. Henderson, R. Mutch, B. Kemp, K. Farrell.
Hunter Clark was once again a force through the midfield. 170 572 Picture: ROB CAREW
12359568-ACM31-17
WHAT’S ON this week Summer Domestic 2017/18 Registrations NOW OPEN! Registrations for new and returning teams teams for the Summer 2017/18 Senior Domestic Competition are now open!
Proud supporter
Indoor Beach Volleyball Social Competitions FOR ALL AGES AND LEVELS OF EXPERIENCE Indoor Beach Volleyball Mixed,Men’sandWomen’steams•TeamsofPairs:Wed&FriEvenings TeamsofFours:TuetoThursEvenings
Team spots are available for comp nights Monday-Thursday, with Mixed & Over-35 available on Sunday. Ready to register your new team or want more info about our Senior Competition? Contact us today at (03) 9794 7192 or email admin@dandenongbasketball.com.au
www.dandenongbasketball.com.au/domestic-comp/senior-domestic
Dandenong Stadium - 270 Stud Road Dandenong 3175 Phone: 9794 7192
StateVolleyballCentre270StudRdDandenongNorth www.volleyballvictoria.com.au PH:97940009
Open Mon – Sun 9am – 11pm 33 JOURNAL NEWS Monday, 7 August, 2017