By JARROD POTTER
SFL DIVISION 3 – ROUND 4
EVERYONE got their money’s worth as Sandown Cobras, led by a battered-and-bruised Brendan Fevola, claimed a nail-biting four-point victory over cross-town rival Lyndale.
The script-writers sure knew how to make a drama-filled, action-packed afternoon at Edinburgh Reserve, with the newly renovated change rooms and pavilion proving an ideal backdrop to the chaos on field.
With a Yarrawonga connection in coach Rick Bean, Fevola made himself available this week to play a one-off SFL match for the Cobras, but after pinching a back nerve earlier in the week – which left him practically bedridden at one point – Fevola remained in doubt all the way up to the first bounce.
Despite his ailment, Fevola honoured his commitment to don the red, blue and white but was in agony throughout the clash. Picking up the ball from the ground proved painful enough, let alone running the field and leading from the square.
Even though he was barely able to get into first gear, Fevola showed his skill with a supreme performance out of the goal-square.
With the wind at his back for a blitzing second-quarter performance and booting five goals – it helped push the Cobras back in front and set the stage for an exciting second half.
Lyndale caught fire in the third term as it booted away to a 12-point lead, and with the clock ticking down, all eyes turned to the square as the Cobras’ fans hoped for one last piece of Fevola-magic.
He would deliver. A high-ball in, set above his head, was gobbled up gladly on the second attempt.
Lyndale defender Brian Grundy could only look on and hope he missed, after number 96 performed gallantly to stop the former AFL super-boot throughout the second half. But it was Fevola’s day and he rammed through his eighth to send the crowd into raucous celebration.
The Pumas rolled the dice in the last two minutes, but couldn’t muster the match-winner as Sandown held on to claim a 14.10 (94) to 13.12 (90) triumph, which will go down in their history books.
“Mate it was a fairytale for them,” Fevola said.
“It was a great day with all the boys… they’ve put on a great show and hopefully the crowd enjoyed it.
“Had a rub-down before the game and I literally couldn’t get off the rub-down bench so I struggled pretty much all day, but when a club puts on a day like today you got to get out here and suck it up… I was just lucky enough to contribute and play a little bit of a part in the win.”
If anything, his eight-goals-one was short of what he was capable of achieving even with the back injury, as his Cobras team mates blazed away and sprayed behinds and turnovers instead of hitting up their dominant full forward.
For Lyndale, bellwether midfielder Dale Tormey (four goals) showed he is one of the elites in Division 3 while Veton Rexha and Brett Tosh also featured in the best.
Sandown host Moorabbin this weekend while Lyndale heads to Hallam.
In the remaining Division 3 clash, Dandenong was eviscerated by Mount Waverley, downed 5.5 (35) to 17.19 (121). Jayde Handfield, Jamie Gaspero and Dale Jose were best on ground.
DIVISION 2
Keysborough continued its rampaging start to life in SFL, taking four on the trot with a 12.14 (86) to 9.12 (66) win over Caulfield. Tyson King continued to make SFL forward lines his dominion – booting four goals – while Michael Downie, Matt Burnett and Mathew Collett also impressed.
While Springvale Districts accounted for Doveton Eagles with a scintillating first term – as the Demons kicked away to a 38-point to nil lead. The Eagles fought back through Corrie Wilson (five goals) and John Kennedy (three goals), but the Demons had enough in the tank to keep the visitors on the back-foot. Also representing the burly full forwards was James Gough (eight goals) – who had the ball on a string alongside Jamie Fox and Matt Thompson.
SFL DIVISION 3
SANDOWN 3.0 9.4 10.8 14.10 (94)
LYNDALE 7.2 8.4 12.8 13.12 (90)
Sandown Goals: B. Fevola 8, J. Proctor 2, M. Davis, B. Reiner, A. Ritchie, L. Newton Best: B. Fevola, M. Uaongo, L. Newton, J. Proctor, L. Williams, J. Hewitt.
Lyndale Goals: D. Tormey 4, M. Babar 2, B. Tosh 2, J. Malom, T. Clappers, A. Bertucci, G. Buck, P. Ross. Best: D. Tormey, V. Rexha, B. Tosh, A. Bertucci, A. Rexhepi, M. Babar.
