BRAYBROOK AND ALBANVALE RETURN TO WINNERS LIST IN ROUND 7
Suns have fallen just short of a thrilling come from behind win in Round 7 with Braybrook surviving a late surge from the visiting side at Pennell Reserve.
Leading by 28-points at the last change, the Brookers looked all but home however, a three-quarter time rev-up from coach Dean Cachia inspired a final term flurry from the Suns.
Five goals in the last quarter put the visitors within two points before time expired with Braybrook hanging on to record a 10.11 (71) 10.9 (69) victory.
Ryal Yak and Liam McGarity were influential for the Brookers, while Jarrod Vella best on for the Suns with Adam Scarpino kicking a game-high three goals.
Suns should have no problem bouncing back against North Sunshine this coming weekend while Braybrook face Albanvale away at Robert Bruce Reserve.
Albanvale also returned to the winners list on Saturday with a 26-point triumph over Western Rams in a low scoring affair at Ian Cowie Recreation Reserve.
The Cobras held a comfortable advantage at every change on the way to their third win of the season with the 9.9 (63) to 5.7 (37) result.
Braedon Billing had his best outing of the year kicking three goals and being named one of Albanvale’s best alongside Ostin Bellingham.
Rams are again at home in Round 8 with North Footscray their opponent following a brave performance against Newport on the weekend.
The Panthers have started slowly at times this season and the Devils took advantage holding a slender four-point lead at the first break at Hansen Reserve.
A seven-goal second quarter tuned the match in Newport’s favour and from there the visitors had no issues extending their lead over the final two terms to win 19.14 (128) to 11.7 (73).
Belal Abou-Eid was the top performer for the Panthers while Mitchell Taleb was the standout in attack kicking four goals in his first senior match of the season.
Newport’s next assignment will be much tougher away to league leaders Albion in Round 8.
Albion returned from a week off on Saturday, travelling to Tarneit where they came away with a 183-point win.
Caleb McPherson continued his brilliant campaign for the Cats with another best on ground showing, while Jesse Cavanagh bagged seven majors for the second time this season, going to the top of the goal kicking table in the process.
Tarneit were best served by Benjamin Arabit and Connor Modrich who face Laverton next.
Laverton were no match for Sunshine on the weekend with the Kangaroos, also back from a bye, downing the Magpies 26.26 (182) to 7.1 (43).
Leading comfortably from the outset, Sunshine put the game to bed in the third term adding nine goals to lead by 101 points with a quarter to play.
Daniel Castellano starred for the home side with an eight-goal bag while Matthew Vorbach and Trent Cole were named Laverton’s best.
Sunshine now heads to Shorten Reserve to take on West Footscray who trumped Sunshine Heights 15.9 (99) to 7.12 (54) on Saturday.
The Roosters were another team that led all game, edging further ahead over the course of the day as Thomas Stelluto did the damage up forward with six goals.
Samuel Hall also had a major impact for the visitors while for the hosts Bol Wol and Arian Sarandis stood tall.
The next outing for Sunshine Heights is against Wyndhamvale who moved to 7-0 in Round 7.
Wyndhamvale enter that game after boosting their percentage with a 233-point win over North Sunshine at Dempster Park.
The Falcons were accurate in front of goal and relentless as they piled on 14 majors in the final quarter.
Joel Russell finished the match with the 14 goals of his own in a best on ground display.