SHARKS, MAGPIES REMAIN UNDEFEATED
By PADDY GRINDLAY
Two sides remain undefeated thus far in Division 2, with Point Cook Centrals and Parkside winning their third successive matches of the season.
In a special match on Anzac Day, Point Cook held off Albion despite an outstanding performance from Cody Bench, victors 12.6 (78) to 8.6 (54) at Featherbrook Reserve.
GALLERY: Point Cook Centrals v Albion
A four-goal afternoon from Jy Lambley and another brilliant performance from Jackson Barrett saw Parkside maintain its unbeaten start to the 2022 season, scraping past a desperate Newport by just one point.
Attendees at Merv Hughes Oval were in for a treat as the two teams took to one of the season’s most enthralling battles, with the margin close all game long.
Newport, led by Malek El-Hassan and Youssef El Hawli, were in front by two points at the final change, but an inaccurate Parkside prevailed 9.15. (69) to 10.8. (68).
Newport, now 1-2, have been brutally unlucky this year, having lost their two matches by an aggregate total of 14 points. In a brighter turn, the loss saw the debut of young gun Hussein Kadour, who belied his 16 years of age with a goal on senior debut.
Brent Kelly continued his solid start to the season for Parkisde with another three goals, while Ben Ashman was impressive again.
View this post on Instagram
Meanwhile, Wyndhamvale secured its first win of the season, holding off a fast-finishing Glen Orden, who despite the six goals of Aaron Law fell short by 11-points.
Law was near best afield in the 13.16. (94) to 13.7. (85) defeat, taking the lead of the league goalkicking tally in the Hawks’ manful loss.
It’s a sigh of relief for the Falcons, who were blown off the park at home by the Point Cook Centrals in Round 2 and were in danger of tumbling down the ladder.
Alex Hamilton’s four goals, along with an all-round performance from Jayme Gilmore who added three majors of his own, saw the Eagles hold firm in a tightly contested match.
The same could not be said for the Footscray derby, which saw the Devils cruise to an 11-goal victory over the Roosters.
Matthew Serafin (six goals) and Charles Bettiol (four) were too much for West Footscray, who trailed by 35 points at quarter time.
GALLERY: West Footscray v North Footscray
Joel Richardson continued his fine form while Jake Hyland, on season debut, was outstanding for North Footscray, who enjoyed a nine goal to two final term, running out 72-point victors.
Jordan Jobling continued his mighty season for the Roosters, kicking six goals and taking his season tally to 11 from just two matches.
Next week, Parkside will have an in-form North Footscray side to grapple with at Hansen Reserve, while Newport will be out for their second win against Point Cook at home. Glen Orden will host West Footscray, while Albion will be out to rebound when they host Wyndhamvale.