All hands: Mount Waverley's Michael Dennis battles for position against Lyndale on Saturday. Picture: Rob Carew
MURRUMBEENA sits on top of the Southern Football League division 2 ladder on percentage but Oakleigh District gave it a telling reminder of how fragile that position is with a 12-point win at Murrumbeena Park on Saturday.
In testing conditions, the District led at every change but could never assure themselves until the final minutes.
District coach Steven Wright said his side showed greater focus than in its loss to Skye the previous round.
"It was a hard-fought win that we certainly expected against a classy side like Murrumbeena," he said. "They beat us in our first game at home. Our whole focus last week was on this game.
"The way Skye beat us the previous week it was like our guys were still enjoying their bye week, but we were focused all game against Murrumbeena."
Wright said he believed his side took the ascendancy after winning some key on-ball battles. Paul Fermanis and Justin Isaac won plenty of the football.
"We were never clear on top - it was an arm-wrestle," he said. "Isaac has been a very, very good player all year. He has probably the most consistent player this season."
Wright said his defence had also performed with excellence, led by Pat Carroll and new recruit Jake Mounsey. "Jake has played the past three games. He didn't play last year but walked in this year so he could play with his brother Dylan.
■ Mount Waverley scored some much-needed percentage with a 115-point win over Lyndale in a Southern Football League division 3 match on Saturday.
Mountain Lions full forward James Gough kicked seven goals. Their best players were Daniel Pearce, Randolph Newman, Sam Taunt and Gough.
SFL division 2 ladder: Murrumbeena 32 points, 162.74 per cent; Oakleigh District 28, 188.52; Springvale Districts 28, 134.15; East Malvern 28, 115.50; Bentleigh 24, 158.95; Hampton 12, 94.54; Southern Dragons 8, 59.90; Black Rock 8, 53.06; South Yarra 0, 35.29.