By DAVID NAGEL
CRANBOURNE has celebrated the 150th game of key-defender Stuart Morrish in style, thrashing Keysborough by 116 points at Casey Fields on Friday night.
The Eagles, who started slowly in their round one clash with ROC, were fired-up from the opening bounce, kicking 7.5 to 0.1 in the first term to end the game as a contest.
“That was our focus, to start well and not have a repeat of that first half against ROC,” Cranbourne coach Scott Sutherland said.
“He (Morrish) led us out and played a terrific game at centre-half-back.”
Former Beaconsfield and Garfield player, Luke Bee-Hugo, was superb on centre-wing for the Eagles, while Max Gearon provided plenty of drive through the midfield.
But it was the Eagles fire-power up forward that provided the main difference between the two sides. Michael Theodoridis was once again impressive, booting six, and Tim Smith was elusive with three, while skipper Marc Holt stole the limelight with a brilliant nine-goal haul.
“He’s kicked nine, but it’s the things he does besides kicking goals that is most impressive,” Sutherland said.
“His second, third and fourth efforts are really team-lifting, it’s just remarkable the stuff he does around the ground.”
Michael Downie and Tim Werner battled hard for the Burra.
DOVETON rebounded from a disappointing round one loss to Keysborough to score a hard-fought, 10-point away victory over Tooradin.
Doveton’s best was Michael Rodriquez, who kept Julian Suarez goalless for the afternoon while Cam Williamson made the most of his opportunities to kick four for the winners. Frank D’Agostino continued his bright start to the season in the ruck while Phil Nanfra was effective in his first senior game since switching from ROC.
James Cottrell, Matt Wade and Brett Scarcella were best for the Seagulls.
BERWICK is the Prince George of Casey Cardinia football -third in line for the crown- after a right-royal thrashing of Pakenham at Toomuc Reserve on Saturday.
The Wickers 96-point win follows an 88-point dissection of Beaconsfield in round one, that’s third and fourth from last season now disposed of, with only Cranbourne and Narre Warren, the Wickers next two opponents and grand finalists from the last three years standing in their way.
Berwick kicked 14.3 to 1.3 in the second and third quarters and had winners everywhere. Skipper Madi Andrews was magnificent through the midfield while Clayton recruit Aaron Purvis lived up to all the hype surrounding his arrival.
Paul Vanschilt once again used his pace to advantage while Daniel Harrison played a great game on the wing, the former ruckman kicking three goals in clearly his best game for the club.
Nathan Waite kicked five goals in just over a half for the winners while Jack Kowarzik and Dom Paynter were two players who could hold their heads high for Pakenham.
NARRE Warren was quite simply magnificent in its 98-point victory over Beaconsfield.
The Magpies looked like they hadn’t been fed for a week, an insatiable appetite for the pill proving too much for the Eagles to handle as the visitors kicked 6.4 before the home side had scored.
Narre had many winners throughout the course of the day, with its defence particularly impressive.
Ryan Morrison did a great job of keeping Brent Heus goalless, while Nick Scanlon, Kain Baskaya and Ben King were impenetrable across half back.
Kerem Baskaya, Justin Marriott, and Ben Wragg kicked three each for the winners, while small defender Cleyton Bertoncello tried his heart out for the Eagles.
ROC has reversed the trend from a week ago, this time capitalising on a fast start to walk away from Robert Booth Reserve nine-goal winners over Hampton Park.
The Kangaroos bounced out of the blocks, opening up a 34-point lead at quarter time and that was the end of the penny section. James Sloothaak, James Waldon and exciting 16-year-old Ryan Spierings were superb down back while Matthew Clarke chimed in with five goals.
Matthew Cox kicked three for the hosts, but for the second week running was the only multiple contributor for his side. Adam Koe, Luke O’Brien and Nathan Dawes did well around the ground while ruckman Billy Thomas battled hard in the ruck against Dylan Chapman.
