By ADEM SARICAOGLU
HILLSIDE’S impressive run in Division Two of the Essendon District Football League continued on Saturday with a solid 66-point win over East Keilor.
The Sharks got the job done after an impressive first quarter that established a 29-point buffer by quarter-time.
The Cougars managed to keep that deficit within six goals for the next two quarters, but couldn’t hold on after three-quarter time.
Hillside kicked six goals to East Keilor’s one in the final term to score its ninth win of the year, keeping the Sharks on top of the ladder with a superior percentage over fellow Division Two front-runner, Moonee Valley.
Sharks coach Steve Kolyniuk was impressed with his side’s professionalism throughout the day in trying conditions at Hillside Reserve.
“I think we started well in the first quarter,” Kolyniuk said. “In the second and third quarter we had a fair bit of the footy but we didn’t put it on the scoreboard, and then we kicked away again in the last quarter, which was pleasing.”
Kolyniuk remains adamant his Sharks are still yet to have put their best 22 on the park this season, but said he was pleased with the large number of contributors that had performed well throughout the year, and again on Saturday.
“Realistically we’re still juggling with what is our best side,” Kolyniuk said.
“Some of the guys we thought were very good players are being passed by some of the lesser-known types.
“In an ideal world, on paper we may have better players to come back into the side, but realistically the boys that are playing in the team at the moment are doing their jobs and playing their roles.”
The Sharks were able to spread the load on Saturday with nine individual goalkickers, with Mark Micallef topping the list with three majors.
Strong performances from Drew Mitchell, Paul Edwards and Ryan Hargrave stretched the young East Keilor outfit to its limits, but Cougars coach David Battistella said it was a costly first quarter that ultimately led to his side’s downfall.
“It was disappointing in the end to lose by 11 goals but at the end of the day (Hillside) is just a bigger-bodied and better unit,” Battistella said.
“Our first quarter was not good enough.
“We were definitely unaccountable and we kicked the first goal, but from there they just took control.
“At quarter-time we spoke about playing back to basics, accountable footy – and we probably held our own for the next two and a half quarters.”
The Cougars sit fifth on the ladder between Keilor Park and Coburg Districts, who all share a 5-5 win-loss record.
This Saturday sees East Keilor hosting Moonee Valley, while Hillside will hit the road to face Keilor Park.
