Navarre v Lexton
The 2013 Grand Final rematch at Navarre was a tough contest with both Navarre and Lexton attacking the contest ferociously, but it was Navarre that came out on top at the end of the game with a 37 point margin.
Navarre unfurled their senior football and A Grade premiership flags before the commencement of play and the Grasshoppers quickly turned the page to concentrate on 2014, as just a minute into the game playing coach Daniel Parkin goaled from in the goal square.
Navarre dominated the contest for the most part, well led by Brent Flood through the back half with inspirational and ferocious tackling and attack on the ball as he cleared many of Lexton’s forward moves. Ash Driscoll continued his good form from last season slotting four goals for the Grasshoppers, while Kris Brennan kicked three in succession during the third term to give Navarre a handy 43 point lead at three quarter time.
Lexton full-forward Matthew Brown was giving Navarre’s backline headaches early, kicking four first quarter goals, but the Hoppers got on top of him after quarter time, holding Brown to just one more goal for the game
Both teams showed promising signs and Lexton also showed that they will improve as the season progresses when their new inclusions become accustomed to the Lexton game plan, while Navarre showed that they will once again be a top four contender and could quite easily make it back to back flags in 2014.
Dunolly v Trentham
It was a close and exciting tussle at Dunolly’s Deledio Reserve on Saturday when the Eagles and Trentham played out a draw in a controversial finish to their opening game of the season. The end of the game saw the scoreboard indicating a one point win to the Eagles, but after some scrutinising of the goal cards and timekeeper cards, the final result correctly stood a draw.
Only a kick separated the sides at each of the breaks, with Trentham led by four points going into the final term.
Dunolly finished strongly in the final term, but could not kick truly as they scored four behinds; until Dylan Gordois kicked a 55 metre goal late in the term to secure what the home crowd thought was a thrilling victory, however when the goal umpires consulted at the end of the game, they found the scoreboard to be incorrect and followed correct procedures to confirm the result of the game as a draw.
Harry Warren, Tim Conway and the pacy Mick Campbell stood out for the Eagles, while Luke Whitehouse, Elliot Drew and Saints Coach Clayton Scoble were amongst Trentham’s better players.
The final scores were 9.9.63 apiece.
Maryborough Rovers v Royal Park
A large crowd at Jubilee Oval on Sunday witnessed Royal Park gain first bragging rights over Maryborough Rovers in their local derby courtesy of an impressive 77 point victory.
After an even first quarter, Royal Park took control of the game as they ran the ball and delivered with precision passing to their forwards.
The Tigers were impressive up forward as they shared the goals amongst numerous players including Brendan Birch with five goals and Zach Tunbridge finished with four goals. Trent Pye had a lot of the ball in the second half and set up a lot of run out of the middle, and the run of Brendan Murdoch and Jarrod O’Connor was also noticeable while Matthew “Snowy” Walker proved to be impassable down back as he dominated out of defence.
Rovers showed some capable signs throughout the game, showing definite improvement on last season. Grant Ryan showed the form that he started off with last season before injury forced him out, and the form of new recruit David Popovski was also under notice as was Ryan Guareschi and Ty Stewart who both showed some promising form, but in the end the Tigers proved too good.
Royal Park was on a high after the game and lifted the roof of the clubrooms with a rousing rendition of their club song to celebrate their big victory over their home town rivals. Final Scores: Royal Park 18.16.124 to 7.5.47
Carisbrook v Newstead
Carisbrook’s perfect record under lights has come to an end, with Newstead kicking off its 2014 MCDFNL season with a three-goal win over the Redbacks on Saturday night.
Lead by a four-goal haul from veteran swingman Mark Ramsey and a best on ground performance from midfield maestro Nathan Webster, the Roos took the lead from the get-go, recording a three-goal to one first term, and never looked back, running out winners 10.8 (68) to 7.5 (47) under Carisbrook’s lights.
In what was billed as an opening round blockbuster, it was all the familiar names who came to the fore for the Kangaroos, with Adam Hunter, Ben Krol, Mitchell Gilboy and Shane McNabb featuring alongside Webster and Ramsey as the victors’ best, with Hunter booting two goals alongside Ramsey as their sides’ only multiple goalkickers, with singles to Ethan Ford, Ash Webster and Daniel Christmas.
Despite some of Carisbrook’s much-vaunted recruits, the loss of Matthew Bilton, Nathan Wright and Tom Wright proved too much to cover in the Redbacks’ first outing for 2014, with familiar names Nick Wright, Nick Robinson, Jakob Tidyman and VFL-listed big man, Jackson Bowen named their sides’ best players, with Wright and new recruit Liam Cunningham booting two goals apiece.
Campbells Creek v Harcourt
Campbells Creek has fired a warning shot to its rivals in the MCDFNL’s opening round of 2014, recording a massive 58-point win over rivals Harcourt on Saturday afternoon.
The Creekers capitalised on a slow start from the Lions, booting a massive 13 goals in the first half, including an 11-goal second term, and never looked back, streaking ahead to record an 18.15 (123) to 9.11 (65) victory over Harcourt.
It was Creekers coach Sean Smith and his star brother Joel who did the majority of the damage on the scoreboard for the Pies, with the younger Smith slotting five majors, while the Creek coach turned back the clock to slot three of his own, while Adam Pollock, Chris Cassidy, Ross Slater and former Berry Powell Medallist Josh Hutchinson all putting through two goals each in an outstanding team performance by the Creek.
The acquisition of former Central Highlands Football League Player of the Year, Shannon Berriman, proved a massive boon for the Pies, with the midfielder putting in a best afield performance for his new club, featuring alongside Pollock, Hutchinson and Slater as the Creek’s best.
In a disappointing first-up display from Harcourt, the Lions’ best players were 2012 Berry Powell winner, Paul Chaplin, Brayden Wootton, ex-Maldon hard nut, Justin Trevan and Kyle McLean, with Wootton (three) and Matthew Folwell (two), the Lions’ only multiple goalkickers.
Avoca v Natte Bealiba
Natte Bealiba has recorded a dream start to the year, scoring a 54-point win over arch-rivals Avoca in a Sunday clash on the Bulldogs’ home turf.
Despite a five-goal haul to spearhead Murray Bond, the Dogs proved no match for the Swans hard running and spread of goalkickers, going down 18.12 (120) to 10.6 (66).
After an even first half, which finished with the Swans carrying a 19-point buffer into the main break, Natte threw off the shackles with six-goal third term to streak ahead and break the spirit of their long-time arch-rivals.
Natte small forward Ryan Weir enjoyed a day out in front of goals, celebrating four majors, while Swans rising star Trent Mortlock (three), hard-running winger Zac Perez (three), superstar midfielder Stephen Ross (two) and new recruit Kurt Torney (two) sharing the majority of goalkicking duties for Natte, while Weir, midfielder Jacob Long, Perez, Torney and fellow new face Jared Hall named their sides’ best.
In a disappointing day for the Doggies, Bond was the side’s only multiple goalkicker, featuring alongside Joel Carter, Tom Nankivell, Bryce Howell, Matt Veitch and Joel Howell as his sides’ best.
Last Modified on 14/04/2014 13:59