DIVISION TWO
LANGWARRIN have remarkably snuck into the top five with just one round left to play after beating Somerville to claim their third consecutive win.
Both sides started slowly in a scrappy first term, but a stunning eight goals to one second quarter saw Langwarrin claim complete control.
Somerville could do little to work their way back into the contest, and ultimately fell short as the Kangaroos claimed a vital 15.7 (97) to 10.15 (75) win.
Sitting a couple of games behind Hastings a few weeks ago, Langwarrin’s finals chances looked slim at best. They now sit clear inside the top five by two points, with their finals destiny in their own hands. They play Pearcedale at home next weekend.
The win caps off a great week for the Kangaroos, who also announced they had resigned co-coaches Blake McCormack and Josh Beard for the next two seasons.
Langwarrin were able to claim a spot inside the top five after Hastings suffered a defeat at the hands of Red Hill at Red Hill Recreation Reserve.
Although Hastings got off to a strong start and led at the half time break, Red Hill quickly wrestled back control and showed why they are a team to be reckoned with this season.
With Red Hill looking to bounce back from their loss last week to Dromana, their first loss in over a month, they were ruthless in the second half and eventually claimed an emphatic win 11.14 (80) to 8.6 (54).
At Glover Reserve, 11th placed Tyabb were also looking to continue a decent run of form by travelling to take on Devon Meadows.
Despite going into the contest as underdogs, Tyabb got off to a fast start and held the Panthers goalless in the first term.
Devon Meadows battled hard to work their way back into contention, but ultimately their poor kicking was letting them down. By the time the siren blew for half time, the Panthers had kicked a shocking two goals and twelve behinds.
After the main break the Panthers looked a reinvigorated side, as they finally began hitting the scoreboard and claimed a three point lead going into the final term.
Against the odds, the Yabbies fought back, and held on to claim a hard fought eight point win over Devon Meadows. The final score read 7.18 (60) to 10.8 (68).
Around the grounds, Crib Point hosted Dromana in what would turn out to be a miserable afternoon for the Magpies.
Crib Point were little chance against a Dromana side who has been dominant for the most part of the year, with the lead at half time standing at a whopping 98 points in the Tigers’ favour.
Things didn’t get much better after the main break either, with the final margin standing at 175 points.
Eight goal hauls from Sam Fowler and Ethan Johnstone helped Dromana secure the most comfortable of victories 2.5 (17) to 28.24 (192).
Two of the top five sides also faced off this weekend in an important match, as Karingal battled Chelsea in a clash to determine who would go into the final round of the year in third place.
Karingal got off to a difficult start in front of their home crowd, failing to register a goal in their first term.
Although they would look a little better after the first break, the Bulls struggled to keep up with an impressive Chelsea outfit. The Seagulls worked hard to maintain their lead throughout the afternoon, as they kept Karingal comfortably out of reach.
Despite winning the final quarter, Karingal couldn’t do enough to chip back a big lead, and they eventually fell to Chelsea 7.14 (56) to 13.8 (86).
Reid Crowe continued a good run of form with a best on ground performance for the Seagulls, while teammates Todd Gardiner and Jack Francis were also instrumental.
The final match of the round saw Pearcedale take on Rye in a dead rubber match at Pearcedale Recreation Reserve.
Despite having nothing to play for, both sides battled hard throughout the game. The lead stood at just one point at the three-quarter time break, with Pearcedale just ahead.
Although the game looked set to go down to the wire, Pearcedale kicked away in the final term to secure a gritty win 10.15 (75) to 6.12 (48).
Luke Daniel was best player afield for Pearcedale, kicking three goals in an impressive performance.
First published in the Mornington News – 7 August 2018
