Doveton and Hampton Park both squandered opportunities for statement wins on the weekend, going down to Highett and Murrumbeena respectively.
While a win would have kept the Doves in with a chance of finishing in the top two, last year’s runners up now face a fight to stay in third spot with Highett equal on points.
Hampton Park, meanwhile, is just two points clear of sixth-placed Skye after looking a class below second-placed Murrumbeena at Tony Way Recreation Reserve.
A Kyle Hendy ankle injury in the first 30 seconds of Hampton Park’s game was symbolic of the narrative for both local sides, whose prospects of victory were decimated by absences.
For the Spiders, key forward Nathan Carver missed the second consecutive week with a finger injury.
Also out were skipper Liam Myatt, vice-captain Trent Thomas, winger Tristan Fernandez-Phillips, pinch-hit rucks Peter Gerard and Jye King, and Lionel Benoit and Ryan Hillard.
Key defender Jackson Philpin is also expected to miss multiple weeks after injuring his calf during the game.
It’s well known across the league that Hampton Park lacks height, and injuries to the full back, full forward and two ruck options cued discussions at the venue about whether the squad is the smallest in local footy across the state.
Meanwhile, Doveton was missing midfielders Will Smith, Jake Basa and Brodie Howie, key defender Sam Muirhead, forward James Gascard, defender Deekon Stapleton and veteran Michael Henry.
After playing in the reserves last week, coach Michael Cardamone was back on the field.
Having been beaten in the midfield from the first quarter, the Doves were on the back foot from the get go.
With the margin at 10 points midway through the third quarter, Cardamone looked like he had put his team back in the contest with a snap from the boundary, but it was ruled a behind.
From there, Highett banged through three more for the quarter, to stretch the lead as high as 26 points, eventually winning 10.4 64 to 6.7 43.
Cam Williamson had his goal-kicking boots on, providing presence in attack and finishing with five goals.
The club’s leading goal kicker has now scored nine of his 25 goals against Highett.
The Redbacks have now lost five of their last seven, while Doveton has lost two of its last three, after a seven-game winning streak through the middle of the year.
Meanwhile, Keysborough nabbed its third win of the season, defeating winless Black Rock 11.14 80 to 8.13 61.
Same old story for Hampton Park
Killed on turnover. Too much left to too few. No height. A lack of polish going forward.
They’re becoming rinse and repeat narratives when speaking about the Spiders.
For the first 15 minutes, Hampton Park took it up to the Lions, Tanner Stanton kicking a lifter goal against the wind in the pocket, not long after Hendy’s injury flattened the hosts’ mood.
But one play in that period foreshadowed the inevitable ‘Beena dominance that would come if the Redbacks didn’t remain alert and disciplined.
The visitors, having absorbed repeated attacking forays to start the match, transitioned and got it to even numbers ahead of the footy for an easy one-on-one mark and goal.
Steve Tolongs, fourth in the competition goal kicking, filled his pockets with six of his team’s 16.
When Murrumbeena had territory, they were able to take uncontested and hit-up marks far too easily, aided by the hosts’ inability to execute fundamentals and hit targets in the back half.
It was all the usual players who stood out for Hampton Park: Tanner Stanton (named in the best for 11 out of 13 games this season), Jack Wilson (six out of 11), and Dylan Morris (seven from 12)
Some within the club think the best 22 are worthy preliminary finalists.
Wins in 2023 over Doveton and Highett, and a performance at Murrumbeena when they won all metrics except the scoreboard, prove that is a justified perspective.
Injuries have hurt, while the gap between the best and the rest remains too large.
A Jackson Dalton goal off the back of a quick rebound illustrated the Redbacks’ blueprint, but it was too scarce throughout the day.
That game plan was best on show against this week’s opponent, Highett, in the first meeting between the two sides in 2023.
Saturday now carries great weight in the context of the Spiders’ season.
Results: Caulfield 12.12 84 v East Malvern 17.6 108, Black Rock 8.13 61 v Keysborough 11.14 80, Doveton 6.7 43 v Highett 10.4 64, Hampton Park 9.3 57 v Murrumbeena 16.14 110, Skye 6.7 43 v East Brighton 18.9 117.
Ladder: East Brighton 52, Murrumbeena 44, Doveton Doves 36, Highett 36, Hampton Park 28, Skye 26, Caulfield 24, East Malvern 20, Keysborough 14, Black Rock 0.
Fixture: Hampton Park v Highett, Doveton v Skye, East Malvern v Keysborough, East Brighton v Caulfield, Murrumbeena v Black Rock.
