By DAVID NAGEL
PREDICTING the final five in the inaugural season of the South East Football Netball League is a nigh on impossible task after another fascinating round of matches on the weekend.
In freezing cold conditions that tested the intestinal fortitude of the strongest of players, ROC caused an upset, bottom-side Tooradin almost repeated the dose, while a couple of double-chance contenders, Beaconsfield and Pakenham, were shown to be a little off the pace.
ROC’s upset 32-29 victory over Beaconsfield at Holm Park Reserve has kept the Kangaroos’ slim finals’ hopes alive.
The Kangas jumped the Eagles in the first quarter, taking a five-goal lead, a margin which was cut back to a solitary goal halfway through the contest. Most would have expected the Eagles to forge on to victory from there, but the visitors dug deep and responded.
With Lauren Hargreaves, Gemma Stacey and Alexandra Kilpatrick sharing the goal-scoring duties, the Kangaroos skipped out to a five-goal lead at the final break before holding on for a tenacious victory.
Bianca Sanzaro (GS), Kylie Baker (C) and Gabby Stinear (WD) were solid four-quarter contributors for the Eagles.
The rewards were huge for Berwick on Saturday, the Wickers jumping to fourth on the ladder after a hard-fought 27-24 victory over Tooradin.
The Wickers were on top early, but a nine-goal-to-four burst in the third term saw the Seagulls draw to within one at the final break, and a second upset of the round looked likely.
Berwick lifted however, and Sarah McDermott, Lynne Moyes and Emily LaRoche did just enough to get their side across the line.
Rachel Cole, Ebony Dolan and Dayle Willis were terrific for the Seagulls.
Narre Warren has confirmed its premiership favouritism with a comfortable 39-27 triumph over Pakenham at Toomuc Reserve.
The Magpies’ ninth-consecutive victory sees them jump a game-and-a-half clear at the top of the table, with a Round-17 clash against Hampton Park looming as their biggest challenge ahead of finals.
Jade Heinrich, Leigh Taylor and Erin Clark, were dynamite through the midcourt for the winners, while Lauren Lenders, Meaghan Winter and Meaghan Cook all tried their hearts out for the Lions.
Cranbourne had the bye while Hampton Park and Doveton had a week off after playing their Round-12 contest back on Good Friday.
