They may have met only three times, but the newfound "local derby" rivalry established between Springvale Districts and Dingley this season was cast in stone last Saturday at Clayton when their Division Two second semi-final clash was forced into extra time.
At the end of four enthralling, and often bone-crunching quarters that kept the large crowd on its toes, the scores were locked up at 118 points apiece. In the ensuing ten minutes of extra time, the Demons added three behinds and kept the gallant Dingoes scoreless to win their way into the grand final, with a final scoreline of 19-7-121 to 18-10-118.
It is a game that will be remembered for a long time for a variety of reasons, not the least being Springvale District's fighting qualities and
Dingley's courage. The Dingoes were reduced to 16 fit players and had no bench for the entire second half, yet they fought back to hit the front in an exciting final term. They gave everything they had and the extra ten minutes of football was simply too much for their weary bodies. The Demons too, were almost spent, but just had that little bit extra in the tank.
The game began at a cracking pace and the Dingoes crept to a handy lead before five unanswered goals from the Demons had them reeling. Brilliant rover Brett Lavars was on fire for Dingley, but injured his knee in the first term. The Dingoes then lost Joel Gray after a heavy landing and youngster Paddy Edwards with severe concussion from a pack collision. When speedster Steve DeBolfo left the field with a shoulder injury, Dingley had no bench and when the team ran out after the half-time interval, they trailed by 16 points, with their leading ruckman, Chris Morgan and Lavars limping badly.
The Districts had deserved their lead, with Lloyd Wells and John Charles giving them real bite up forward. Darin "The Big Show" Joyce was also
playing a mighty game in the ruck, while Waata Wells was obviously relishing his return to Clayton Reserve. But the Dingoes were far from finished. Even on one leg, Lavars was dangerous and his goal at the 13-minute mark of the third term signalled a revival. Jake Moore and Andrew Frost followed with another two goals in two minutes and suddenly the margin was back to three points.
With Mark Charles and Mick Odachowski winning plenty of the ball, the Demons struck back and went into the three-quarter-time huddle 15 points up. Surely, the bruised and battered Dingoes would now yield to the inevitable. But like all wounded animals, they came out firing. Clinton Brooks goaled at the two-minute mark and Frost followed again a minute later before the gutsy Lavars put his team in front at the five-minute mark. Brett Gniel slammed home a goal shortly afterward and Dingley, amazingly, had raced to a 10-point lead.
But as they had done earlier, the Demons responded to the challenge and goals to John Charles and Dean Kovacic regained the lead for them.
The effect on Dingley's game plan by their 'walking wounded' status was highlighted by the sight of century goalkicker Adam Quinn playing in defence in that desperate last quarter. With the clock about to tick into time-on, Stephen Pitt goaled for Dingley before Lloyd Wells levelled the scores from a free kick. The Dingoes came again and stretched the lead to seven points before it was the Demons' turn to fight back and level the scores.
When the final siren sounded, the crowd's loud and excited barracking immediately transformed into an anti-climactic, low buzz of anticipation.
The Demons scored immediately with a behind and added two more in the second five-minute period to earn their place in this year's grand final. Brothers featured prominently in the game, with Lloyd and Waata Wells starring for Springvale Districts, along with the Charles boys, John and Mark, while Brett and Tony Lavars were among the Dingoes' best.
Districts' coach Steve Hughes paid tribute to his team's fighting qualities and made special mention of the efforts of Joyce, John Charles and Brad Huevel, who held Quinn to two goals. Clinton Brooks, Jai Smith and Steven Pitt were among the many other good players for the Dingoes.
It was the second successive Division Two final to be decided by less than a goal and the Dingoes will now meet Caulfield in next Saturday's Preliminary Final at Clayton.
Story Courtesy of Daryl Pitman and Leader Newspapers.
Last Modified on 10/09/2007 13:28