Navarre celebrated their centenary with a win over Natte Bealiba on Saturday in the Bendigo Bank Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League.
The game was played in a cross wind all day which led to poor disposal, but the game was played in front of a very big crowd on an outstanding surface.
It was a tough opening with both teams finding there way until Matt Jess opened the goal scoring for Navarre from a downfield free kick. Navarre had the most of the possession with Jesse Hannett showing out for the Grasshoppers, but it was at the 14 minute mark that Jeremy Harrington was able to keep possession by toe poking the ball in front of himself and following up and shooting truly from in the goal square.
Ian Moerman then goaled a minute later and Jesse Hannett gathered a loose ball and slotted Navarre’s 4th in a row. Natte was having trouble gaining possession and when they did go forward could not find an avenue to goal as Josh Monaghan did a very good job of nullifying Alex Collins all day.
Stephen Ross kicked a 50 metre shot for goal after the siren only for Monaghan to punch the ball clear on the goal line. Navarre led 4.3 to 0.3 at quarter time.
Natte fought back in the second term and had the majority of play, but poor kicking under pressure was costly as the Swans added one goal and five behinds, while keeping Navarre to just two behinds.
Jamie Andrews passed to Noel Jacobs who in turn passed off to David Miles who managed to goal after the siren from a very difficult angle to give some momentum to the Swans who were full of confidence as they left the field at half time just 15 points in arrears.
Joe Cunningham was getting plenty of the ball for Navarre in the third term and Jesse Hannett also had an influence on the game with the opening goal, and also the final goal of the term. Natte provided a challenge at the half way mark when Noel Jacobs goaled from a head high tackle and Alex Pollock avoided a number of tackles with some side stepping to slot another goal a minute later. However Hannett was quick to answer for Navarre and the Grasshoppers led by 17 points at the final change.
The final term saw Navarre kick to position much better than Natte and early goals to Matt Jess and Josh Rathgeber put the game out of reach. Zach Perez took an uncontested mark and converted for the Swans, but Nathan Holloway ran the ball out from the next centre bounce and found Daniel Parkin who goaled from a set shot.
Alex Collins finally managed to break away from Josh Monaghan and kicked his only goal for the game at the 15 minute mark, but it was quickly answered by Josh Driscoll as Navarre ran out 30 point winners. 10.12.72 to 5.12.42
Dunolly v Maryborough Rovers
Dunolly outclassed Maryborough Rovers at Deledio Reserve, running out 36 point winners with James McNamee back in stellar form. Rovers got the jump on Dunolly early, with Scott Sellers in everything, and assisted by a stiff breeze they managed to put on four straight goals for the term. Rovers had the higher work rate of the two sides early, but Dunolly managed to get on the board with two late goals to Tom Stiles and Dale Thomas to stay in touch.
McNamee urged his troops to lift their intensity in the second term and the Eagles responded by putting on eight goals through some hard running and creative link up. Brett Coombes and Kyle Lierich were becoming increasingly important for Dunolly while Dale Thomas kept applying massive pressure up forward to create opportunities as well as being a key target himself.
For Rovers, Ryan Guareschi and Brad Fraser continued to be influential with their run and carry, while Chris Gunn, Ben Hoban and Graeme Kennedy also did their utmost to keep their side in the game.
Half time saw Dunolly holding on to a 23 point lead. Rovers threw everything at the Eagles in the third term, knowing that they had to use the breeze effectively to mount a challenge. The Dunolly defence held fast however with McNamee dragging in countless marks off the back flank and then using his pace and evasive skills to set up counter attacks for his side. Trevor Ronke and Josh Sullivan also assisted along with Lachlan Cunningham who shut down the dangerous Todd Featherston.
Dunolly managed to get out to a 49 point lead in the last term, but Rovers continued to fight out the game and managed to pull the margin back to 36 points at the final siren. Dunolly head to Lexton next week to take on the league leaders while Rovers have a tough assignment also, coming up against Natte Bealiba.
Lexton v Trentham
Trentham travelled to Lexton for the first time ever and were blown away as Lexton asserted their superiority late in the game with a seventeen goal to 1 behind second half. Hayden Templeton and Nigel Reid had a good contest in the ruck, but it was Lexton’s running players that controlled the game. Casey Robins and Jordan Phelan were again the dominant players for Lexton who had numerous options up forward with eleven different goalkickers. Matt Brown finished with five goals and Jay Robins kicked four as Lexton won by 135 points in a strong display of hard running football.
Lexton 25.12.162 to 4.3.27
Talbot v Harcourt
Harcourt went into the game without Mark Oxley, and even with the big ruckman missing from their line up, it looked like the Lions would win comfortably at half time as they led by 64 points at the main break. However the Hawks came out full of fire after the break and the game was turned on its end as Talbot kicked seven goals to one to reduce the margin to 26 points as Rowan Prentice and Brandon McRedmond were setting up many forward moves for the Hawks.
Harcourt regained their composure at the final break and managed to do enough to win with Matt Giri kicking ten goals for the game. Harcourt won 19.12.126 to 12.10.82
Campbells Creek v Newstead
It was close opening quarter at Campbells Creek where the home team managed to restrict Newstead to a one goal lead.
The Steaders assumed control after the break and led by 82 points at three quarter time. Creek showed their fighting spirit by winning the final term which would please their supporters who will be looking forward to tackling Royal Park next Sunday as they continue to look for their first win of the season. Tom Reece kicked five goals and Danny Christmas kicked four for Newstead and the win has now pushed them into the top eight at the expense of Natte Bealiba. Newstead won 20.15.135 to 9.9.63.
Carisbrook v Avoca
It was an entertaining game at Carisbrook where the local team was expected to have a big win over Avoca. The game was still within reach of the Bulldogs at three quarter time as Carisbrook only led by three goals. It was then that the Redbacks slipped into overdrive and completely blew Avoca out of the water with 18 scoring shots to three in the final term. The Redbacks finished with 12 goals 6 behinds in an outstanding display of football as they ran out 88 point winners. This was a disappointing result for Avoca who has been in with a chance at three quarter time in the past two matches, but could not sustain the challenge on either occasion. Ben Kick and Luke Bucknall stood out for Carisbrook and Tom Wright finished with six goals as Carisbrook won 23.14.152 to 9.10.64
Maldon v Royal Park
Maldon had a training drill as they completely outclassed Royal Park at Maldon.
Maldon were much too strong in the midfield led by Tom Cain and Shaun Burchell, but it was Christian Kelly who could not be stopped as he resumed the mantle of the MCDFNL Leading goalkicker, with sixteen goals for the game.
David Carroll played a supporting role with eight goals. The loss of Justin Perry pre-game through a training mishap was a big blow for Royal Park and they were also lacking up forward as Matt Levings was the only goal scorer for the day with three goals as the Tigers lost by 211 points. Maldon 35.22.232 to 3.3.21
Last Modified on 06/07/2011 14:28