By Mick Morris
Seville headed out to Chandler Recreation Reserve in Avonsleigh to take on Emerald in a top-of-the-table clash.
There was a very positive mood in the Seville rooms before the game and the players were keen to get back on the winning list after their narrow one-point loss to Gembrook the previous week.
The Blue Boys sprung out of the blocks hitting the scoreboard within a couple of minutes thanks to a Maxi Dickinson goal.
Emerald had no answer to Seville’s pressure in a quarter the Blues laid 22 tackles and slammed on seven goals to one to head into the first break 38 points up.
Emerald hit back early in the second quarter, registering two goals in the first couple of minutes to show the locals they weren’t giving up without a fight.
Deng Nai was dominant in the ruck giving Strachany and Weightman first use of the pill.
Several turnovers saw the Seville defence working overtime with Paul Bailey standing tall and the Sciortino brothers repelling several attacks.
Seville did well to restrict Emerald to four goals and kick one themselves to head into the main break 19 points up.
A good showing of local footy at its best was displayed by both clubs had supporters up and about and very vocal at times.
The third quarter was a real arm wrestle with both teams keen to take any advantage that came their way.
Seville gave Emerald a few advantages, coughing up 13 free kicks to nil for the quarter.
Goals were hard to come in the third and saw a great solo effort from the Big Panda Jack Nolan after spilling the mark and then recovering to slot his seconnd goal for the match.
Seville slightly improved their lead, scoring two goals to one for the quarter but was down to only two fit players on the bench after injuries to Andrew Condello and Sony Hollywood Saniga.
Three-quarter time saw the Blues leading by 22 points with Emerald having the breeze in the last.
Another tight quarter with both teams’ backlines under the cosh with some free-flowing football being played.
Emerald hit the scoreboard with a goal to reduce the margin to only 16 points.
Seville seemed to have control after that, playing some possession football and laying tackle after tackle when they turned the ball over.
The 26 tackles for the quarter and 89 for the match showed how desperate Seville was to hang onto their lead.
A couple of quick goals sealed the deal for Seville who went on to a 32-point win.
Seville now finds themselves two-and-a-half games clear on top of the Division 1 ladder.
The best players for Seville were Jake Strachan, Deng Nai, Brendan Dickinson, Pual Bailey, Jack Nolan and Bayley Sciortino.
Goalkickers were Strachan with three, Nolan with two and Dickinson, Dylan Broadway, Aaron Stevens, Rob Petracca, Sonny Saniga, Michael Condello and Hayden Pleming with one apiece.
With a bye next week, Seville will be back in Round 14 playing away to Healesville on Saturday 16 July.
Other football results:
Emerald Reserves defeated Seville Reserves 10.10, 70 to 3.8, 26. The best players for Seville were Luke O’Keefe, Gordon Gosland, Phil Muscara, Jayden Noble, Kyle Mountjoy and Aaron Stewart.
Warburton U18s defeated Seville U18s 21.17, 143 to 0.2, 2. The best players for Seville were Willow Pearce, Dylan Baker, Tyden Keenan, Corey Daniel, Luke Elderhurst and Jacob Humphries.
Yarra Junction Senior Women defeated Seville Senior Women 7.0, 42 to 4.0, 24. The best players for Seville were Lillian Pagels, Jess Beraud, Nicole Kimpton, Zoe Kendall, Madi Ward and Tamara Kendall.
Netball:
17Blue: Narre Warren 17Blue defeated Seville 17Blue 24 to 22.
D Grade: Emerald defeated by Seville 26 to 33.
C Grade: Emerald defeated by Seville 41 to 43.
B Grade: Emerald defeated by Seville 27 to 70.
A Grade: Emerald defeated by Seville 33 to 49.
