Carisbrook defeated Lexton under lights at Carisbrook Recreation Reserve on Saturday in the Bendigo Bank Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League.
Former teammates Luke Treacy and Shane Fisher met for the first time as respective coaches, for what many regarded as game of the round .
The undefeated Tigers outfit started the game with immense pressure around the Redback midfield, hunting in packs was a feature of the Fisher led tigers, which saw them take the early momentum and open up a two goal lead early in the first quarter.
Nigel Reid was collecting possessions at will in the middle, whilst Robins was creating headaches up forward for the Redback defence. Carisbrook started to claw there way back mainly through spiritual leader Nick Robinson who was busting packs open and hitting targets early by foot.
Lexton took a narrow two point lead into quarter time, despite winning the centre clearances 6-2 and having more time in possession.
The second quarter was a replay of the first, with Lexton getting out by 15 points midway through the quarter. Nic Locandro was mopping up in defence for the Tigers, whilst the dangerous Lloyd Bennet was starting to get himself in the game.
Carisbrook debutante Scott Adam strongly marked in the goal square and slotted his first for the club, and a sudden momentum shift was apparent, with the Brook heading into half time only 1 point down.
The third term loomed as the quarter which would decide the match, and started off well for Carisbrook as Ben Kick slotted a fantastic team goal to see the Redbacks hit the front for the first time in the game. Brady Neil then kicked two as the home team pulled away from the Tigers. The Battle between Matt Brown and Liam Offer was a great spectacle, with Offer keeping Brown to one goal, and using his penetrating right foot to repel many of Lexton’s attacking moves. Carisbrook then goaled through Xavier Long to set up 24 point lead at the last break.
It was a battle of the back lines in the last, as much of the play was occurring in the centre circle area. Lexton were going forward on more occasions than the Book, but Hoffman, Offer, Walker and Marr were all up to the challenge. Lexton’s never say die attitude was shining through as they pulled the margin back to 20 points midway through the last, Only for Xavier Long to stand up and goal to put a stop to the Lexton charge. In a highly entertaining game Carisbrook 12.10.82 defeated Lexton 7.9.51.
Lexton will take on former LPFL brother in Natte Bealiba next week as the Tigers look to get back on the winners list. Carisbrook will travel to Newstead in what is sure to be another great game.
Rovers v Trentham
Rovers went into the match against Trentham without Matty Stevens who broke his wrist in the previous round against Carisbrook.
The game was played in cold blustery conditions and Rovers took advantage of the breeze early kicking the first four goals of the game. Scott Sellers was everywhere throughout the entire game and continuously sent the ball forward as Rovers were well in control early. Trent barras kicked two early goals and Jayden Humphrey, Matt Batson and Brendan Hehir also ventured forward to get amongst the goals. Trentham kicked two late goals through Daniel McGregor and Brandon Turner to keep in touch on the scoreboard, but Rovers led by 19 points at the first change.
Trentham mounted a challenge in the second term when they kicked the first three goals, with big forward Ty Priest taking some strong contested marks and kicking the first two goals to set the Saints alight. Rovers seemed to have the ball in their forward half for most of the term but could not break through against the Trentham backline, and they were also finding it difficult to penetrate the blustery conditions. Jace Walters and Heath Hunter were proving to be difficult to bypass for Trentham, while Sellers, Matt Batson and Brad Fraser were very good down the back half for Rovers.
Rovers led by 16 points at half time.
Trentham were hard at it after the main break and posted two quick goals to gain some ascendency, McGregor ran forward to kick the first and then Priest took another strong mark and kicked his third of seven goals for the game. Priest kicked two more for the quarter with Trentham going against the breeze and they still managed to win the term in convincing fashion to lead by 9 points going with the breeze in the final quarter.
Priest kicked the opening goal as Trentham kicked out to a 15 point lead but Rovers answered when Brayden Guareschi passed to Daniel Rossi who quickly kicked long to the goal square where Karson Guareschi marked under pressure, and kicked truly. This was the first piece of inspiring play from Rovers for some time, but Cameron Baker quickly gathered a ball from a pack and side stepped his opponent and kicked a goal around his body to regain the ascendency for the Saints. Scott Sellers was trying hard for Rovers but whenever he put the ball into attack it would quickly be returned across half back by Hunter and Walters. Baker and McGregor were everywhere in the final term and were both involved in the final three goals of the game as Trentham kicked away to win by 30 points. 15.13.103 to 11.7.73
Newstead v Royal Park
Royal Park travelled to Newstead hoping to improve on their recent performances but could only manage to score one goal for the game as Newstead dominated proceedings throughout the entire competition.
Tom Reece was again the major focal point and he finished with eight goals while Adrian Conn ventured forward this week and kicked seven for the game. Luke Walters was not on the team sheet this week, but the inclusion of Daniel Christmas was a bonus for the Steaders and he also finished with six goals. Andy Kraulis and Casey Zepnick continued their good form from last week and knocked up getting possession of the ball as Newstead won by 216 points. 35.18.228 to 1.3.9.
Avoca v Harcourt
Avoca hosted Harcourt and the Bulldogs were without forwards Will Johanson and Nathan Coghlan who missed with appendicitis, but they welcomed back Ben Howell, and Tom & Jack Kaye. The Lions had a very good second quarter in which they posted seven goals to lead at half time by 42 points. The second half was evenly contested, in fact, Avoca actually won the third quarter, but they cold not contain Harcourt who eventually won the game by 60 points. Matt Giri and Paul Chaplin set up many attacking moves for Jarrod Trethowan up forward, who kicked eight goals in a dominant performance for the Lions. Harcourt won 19.12.126 to 10.6.66
Campbell’s Creek v Talbot
Talbot travelled to Campbells Creek looking to register their first win for the season.
The game was close throughout and it was only in the third term that the Hawks managed to break the shackles and kicked out to a three goal lead at the final change. The Hawks eventually won by 20 points but it was a hard fought contest and could easily have gone either way. Junior Burns was in great form for Talbot and finished with five goals while Meils Grice kicked four for Creek. Talbot 12.18.90 to Creek 10.10.70
Dunolly v Navarre
Navarre totally outclassed a lacklustre Dunolly side at Deledio Reserve. The Grasshoppers superior ball movement and willingness to attack the contest in numbers enabled them to dominate across the board and keep the Eagles to just one solitary goal for the game. Daniel Parkin racked up countless touches through the middle and his finishing by foot was exemplary, often finding Sam Robertson up forward who finished his day with nine goals to his name.
The one sided affair was disappointing for the Eagles who pushed Maldon all the way one week earlier. On this occasion though, Dunolly were too slow and appeared unprepared to mount a meaningful challenge against Navarre in the packs and at stoppages.
Joe Cunningham, Daniel Fitzell and Louis Hannett were other standout players for Navarre in a side that had winners everywhere, while for the Eagles Mike Smiler continued his good form and Lachlan Cunningham, Dale Thomas, Josh Sullivan and Dallas Martin all battled hard. Navarre 25.16.166 to Dunolly 1.3.9
Maldon v Natte Bealiba (Sunday)
Maldon and Natte Bealiba played a thriller at Maldon in a game that could have gone either way until late in the final quarter.
It was an exciting opening with both Full Forwards getting amongst the goals. Pat Cummins was the opponent for the Swans Axel Collins and tried some roughhouse tactics which failed as Collins kicked two for the opening quarter and seven for the game. Christian Kelly was very lively for Maldon and kicked four goals for the quarter.
Natte was getting plenty of run out of the middle through the in and under work of Bruno Mortlock who was getting the ball out to the running players in Alexander Pollock and Stephen Ross who got better as the game progressed. Brandon Mason was also good in the Ruck for Natte and had a good contest with Matthew Fitzpatrick for the Bombers.
Natte led by 6 points at half time but then Tom Cain asserted his influence in the centre for Maldon with three goals for the quarter to lift his team’s spirits and Jack Fowler and Nick McKnight were also influential for the Bombers. Axel Collins was still getting the better of Cummins up forward and slotted two goals to keep the margin to 9 points at the final change.
It was a tough slog in the final term with Natte having a lot of the ball in their forward half but they could not find an avenue to goal. Ross and Mortlock again had plenty of the ball and Noel Jacobs was mopping up across half back for the Swans, but Kyle Winstanley took the ascendency for Maldon, when he stole the ball from out of his opponents hands in the goal square and snapped a goal, then Shaun Burchell hit David Carroll on the chest shortly after and Carroll kicked the sealer as Maldon won by 16 points. 15.8.98 to 12.10.82
Last Modified on 17/05/2011 10:05