DIVISION TWO
CHELSEA have put themselves in the box seat for a finals spot this season, after they scored an important win over Seaford away from home.
Both sides have enjoyed similar fortunes for the year and came into the contest with six wins to their name. With just four points separating third place from seventh place, every win is becoming crucial for sides battling for a finals spot.
Chelsea ensured they would get the win with a stunning first term. They booted eight goals to Seaford’s one, putting the contest almost beyond doubt right from the get go.
At half time the gap widened, and the Seagulls led the Tigers by 59.
Up by close to 10 goals, the Seagulls let their foot off the gas in the second half. Seaford scored 10 second half goals while Chelsea managed just three. Seaford managed to chip the margin down to just 17 points, but ran out of time.
Despite the late surge, Chelsea held on to claim the win 12.9 (81) to 15.5 (95).
Andrew Silva was important in front of goal and scored five majors. Luke Shannon was also named among Chelsea’s best for the third week running.
At the top end of the table, Red Hill kept up their good form with a 45 point win over Somerville.
The Hillmen have been the best defensive team in the competition this season by some distance, and showed that again on Saturday. They restricted the Eagles to just three first half goals.
Red Hill enjoyed an even spread of goalkickers again, with nine players hitting the scoreboard. The final score read 9.7 (61) to 16.10 (106). Matthew Hyden scored four goals for the afternoon, while Zach Vines again proved a handy contributor with three.
Red Hill’s toughest opponents for the premiership this year will be Karigal, who have still not registered a loss in 2019. Up against Rye at Ballam Park Reserve, they were determined to keep it that way.
Both sides traded blows in a scrappy first term, but it was the Demons who went into the half time break with the advantage. They led by nine points going into the second half, leaving the Bulls with a difficult task ahead of them to keep their winning streak intact.
Karingal came out in the third term and charged over the top of the Demons, putting their hopes of a shock win to bed.
Rye worked hard but couldn’t pull off the upset. They lost to Karingal 11.7 (73) to 6.9 (45).
Michael Burke booted four goals for the Bulls in the absence of Marc Holt.
At the other end of the ladder, Tyabb fought off Crib Point at Crib Point Recreation Reserve.
Coming off their first victory for the year, Crib Point were looking to upset Tyabb. The Yabbies themselves had only managed victory twice this season, so it loomed as a dangerous game for them.
The Yabbies got off on the right foot, and looked comfortable at half time. They led by 35 at the main break.
Crib Point gave Tyabb an almighty scare in the third term, chipping the lead back to 11 and making it anyone’s game going into the last quarter. Tyabb managed to hold on, and scored victory 10.5 (65) to 12.14 (86).
Matthew Ravenall scored five goals for Tyabb. He now has 21 for the year and 14 in the last three games.
Despite losing star recruit Brendan Fevola to injury, Hastings had absolutely no trouble finding the scoreboard in a good win over Pearcedale.
They shared the responsibility with 10 individual goalkickers on the day. They took out all four points with an 11.7 (73) to 16.23 (119) win.
Langwarrin had no trouble at all at Lloyd Park on Saturday, smashing Devon Meadows by 103 points.
The Panthers put just three goals on the board and had a miserable afternoon. The final siren sounded to put them out of their misery with the scoreboard reading 19.14 (128) to 3.7 (25).
Josh Biggs scored four goals and was named best afield for the victorious Kangaroos.