By DAVID NAGEL
CRANBOURNE has produced one of its trademark fast-finishes but left its run too late, going down to Pakenham by 16 points in the South East Football Netball League match-of-the-day at Toomuc Reserve.
The Eagles should have been confident going in – coming off three strong wins – but were given an early football lesson by the Lions who kicked out to a 52-point lead just before half time.
The Eagles responded brilliantly after the break, Max Gearon, Luke Bee-Hugo and Mat Fletcher reversing the Lions’ midfield dominance giving their gun full-forward Marc Holt the chance to shine.
And Holty didn’t let them down, producing a classic seven-goal haul that almost pulled this one out of the fire.
The Eagles closed to 11 points at the 17-minute mark of the final term before a late goal to Troy Toussaint gave the Lions a well-deserved victory.
Narre Warren has sent more than a friendly reminder that its premiership hopes are alive and well with a 33-point victory over title-holders Beaconsfield at Holm Park Reserve.
The Magpies, the perennial powerhouse of the league, had uncharacteristically lost back-to-back games against Pakenham and Berwick, in rounds two and three, to raise doubts about their ability to dominate the competition like they have in recent years.
But they bounced back against quality opposition on Saturday; coach Chris Toner proud of his side for bouncing back after the 49-point defeat to the Wickers.
“We hit rock-bottom against Berwick, that’s about as bad as we’ve ever got, and we just had a bit of think time to reassess the way we play, and reassess every aspect of our game,” Toner said.
“Sometimes when you get belted it puts the wheels in motion because you don’t have the excuses that you use when lose the close ones.”
The Magpies kicked out to a 37-point lead, 19 minutes into the third quarter, before repelling a strong Eagles’ comeback in the final term.
Kerem Baskaya kicked five and Michael Collins and Hayden Stagg three each for the winners, a tally matched by Taylor Joyce and Beau Dowler for Beacy.
Six goals to Ben Kearns and five to Ash Smith were the highlights of Berwick’s thumping 159-point victory over Hampton Park.
Michael Riseley, Tim Gunn, James Phillips and Madi Andrews were other fine contributors for the navy blues who have now won three on the trot.
Aaron Holden and Nathan Dawes were best for the Redbacks.
Doveton had the bye.
