Frankston 20.10.130 d Springvale 15.12.102 at Shepley Oval.
A game of two halves at Dandenong yesterday with the Scorpions recording a disappointing fade out to go down to the improved Frankston by nearly five goals. After a dominant first quarter (25 inside fifties to just 7 by Frankston) the Scorpions should have had more than their three goal lead through the efforts of midfielders Leigh Montagna & Brett Moyle, whilst key big men Trent Knobel and Barry Brooks were outsizing their Frankston opponents. The second quarter saw much of the same with another seven Springvale goals to take the margin out to six goals by half time. Montagna's 19 first half disposals were matched by the efforts of Saints rookie Allan Murray across half back, whilst listed Scorpions David Pitt (3 goals) and onballer Beau Miller were instrumental in the dominance. The second half proved a complete reversal with the Scorpions unable to counter
the ball winning abilities of the Dolphins led by former Fremantle Docker Andrew Shipp. The visiting side slammed on 8 goals to one for the quarter to gain the lead, with the trend continuing in the final stanza with another five goal quarter setting up a bad day for the Scorpions. The inability to play accountable football in the second half didn't give the forwards enough opportunities with only two goals in the second half to Springvale. Better players were difficult to find after such a lopsided effort but Saints Montagna (29 disposals), Murray (26 possessions) and Moyle (25 possessions) were relatively even contributors. Knobel battled gamely in the ruck and will appreciate the hitout but it was slim pickings after that.
The Scorpions must now regroup to take on the 3rd placed Port Melbourne on Sunday in what looms as a very important game in gauging the trend of the season. Captain Steve Harrison should return from injury.
SPRINGVALE FC POSSESSIONS
Kicks Marks H/balls Total Goals Behinds
Montagna, Leigh 19 6 10 29 1 1
Murray, Allan 16 5 10 26 0 0
Moyle, Brett 16 7 9 25 1 0
Carmody, Nigel 18 2 3 21 0 0
Carroll, Damian 9 2 10 19 0 0
Knobel, Trent 7 4 12 19 2 1
Miller, Beau 11 5 4 15 0 2
Blake, Jason 8 3 7 15 1 0
Pitt, David 6 4 7 13 3 0
Ferguson, Matthew 10 2 3 13 0 0
Fredericks, Sheldon 8 3 4 12 0 0
Houlihan, Josh 9 0 3 12 1 0
Caples, Jason 4 2 7 11 0 0
Brooks, Barry 8 4 3 11 2 1
Schwarze, Ben 7 3 4 11 1 1
Schwarze, Troy 5 0 4 9 2 0
Kosch, John 4 3 4 8 0 1
Oliver, Chris 4 3 3 7 0 0
Waldron, Brendan 4 1 1 5 0 1
Barham, Jordan 3 0 1 4 1 0
Mott, Adam 2 1 1 3 0 1
Dehey, Jesse 2 0 1 3 0 0
180 60 111 291 15 9
