CARROLL KICKS 100TH GOAL IN BIG WIN OVER TARNEIT
The penultimate home and away round of the Division 2 Men’s season featured a major milestone with Sunshine’s Nathan Carroll kicking his 100th goal of the year in a 238-point victory over Tarneit.
Entering the day with 98 majors Carroll’s second goal of the afternoon, a set shot from just inside 50, made him the first player to kick 100 goals in Division 2 Seniors since three players in 2014 – Shaun Buttigieg-Clarke for Caroline Springs, Paul O’Shea for Wyndhamvale & Damien Yze for West Footscray.
The key forward ended the day with seven majors but was outdone by teammate Hisham Kerbatieh who tallied a season-best 11 goals in the route.
For Tarneit Michael Scolaro and Luke Mann were the top performers for their side.
In the closest match of the weekend Braybrook kept their finals hopes alive with a 10-point win at Laverton.
Trailing by 11 points at halftime after kicking 3.12 in the opening two quarters, the Brookers returned from the break with their kicking boots on, going on to triumph 12.18 (90) to 12.8 (80).
Matthew and Justin Condo were brilliant for the visitors while Stephen Mihelakos-James contributed four goals.
Laverton was best served by Ethan Crawley and Trey Fraser.
Braybrook’s final round opponent West Footscray did what they had to, to remain in the hunt for a finals appearance, downing Western Rams by 76 points away from home.
The Roosters led from start to finish in the 23.17 (155) to 13.1 (79) result with Matthew Grubb, Thomas Stelluto (seven goals) and Matt Turcinovich (six goals) all major contributors.
Tyler Lewis was named the Rams’ best while Jared Scott and Jarryd Underwood each kicked four goals.
Sixth placed Suns and eighth placed North Footscray faced off at Goddard Street Reserve with both teams also needing to win.
At the final siren it was the hosts who came away with the four points to remain in the last finals spot.
Suns captain Blake Jago led his team superbly, bagging a season-high eight goals, while Lachlan Hewitt was also influential in the 18.14 (122) to 9.8 (62) victory.
For North Footscray the loss all but ruled them out of finals contention.
League leader Albion recorded the biggest win of the Division 2 season piling on 49 goals against North Sunshine to salute by 310 points.
Cooper Muir and Nicholas Cocolaras registered season best goal tallies with hauls of 16 and eight respectively as the Cats put an exclamation mark on claiming the minor premiership.
Wyndhamvale made light work of Albanvale courtesy of a 10-goal first quarter blitz and then a 11-goal to one second half at Robert Bruce Reserve.
The Falcons had seven multiple goal kickers in the 23.10 (148) to 6.5 (41) win with Ryley McGraw and Matthew Paul the best of them with four majors each.
Reece Field also finished with four goals for Albanvale with Brendan Cassar best on for the Cobras.