Harcourt v Lexton - Tigers win a thriller
It was a thriller at Harcourt Recreation Reserve on Saturday in the Bendigo Bank Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League with Lexton staging a fightback to gain the win by the narrowest of margins - a one point win over the Lions.
Harcourt held a 25 point margin over the Tigers at half time, and whatever was said at half time by Lexton coach Paul Phillips must have worked as the Tigers came out firing after the main break, reducing the margin to just three points and holding Harcourt to just two points for the term.
It was desperation football from both teams in the final term, but it was the Tigers that prevailed at the final siren, booting the winning goal after the siren to win by a solitary point, 12.7.79 to Harcourt's 12.7.78
Jimmy Templeton and Damon Aspland were again in outstanding form through the middle for the Tigers, while the defensive work of Mick Jennings proved to be invaluable as the rugged defender stood tall when needed.
But it was the brilliant Matt Giri who was exceptional up forward for the Lions and nearly won the game of his own boot with seven goals, while the consistent Alan Mack and Paul Chaplin were also among the players who stood out for the home team.
Talbot v Trentham
Talbot continued with their good form with a strong win over the Trentham Saints to have back to back wins and keep their spot in the top eight in safekeeping.
As was the case against Natte Bealiba the week before, the Hawks were again very good in the opening term, but were inaccurate as they kicked three goals five behinds to gain the upper hand over the Saints for the remainder of the game.
Ross Wise was the key player for the Hawks as he drove the ball forward at every opportunity to where Darren Burns took advantage finishing with five goals for the game, while Wise also drifted forward to snag a couple of goals. Josh Sullivan has added some marking strength to the Hawks since crossing from Dunolly and also finished amongst the goals with four to his name.
Chris Whelan and John Cowell tried hard for the Saints, but the game was never in doubt as Talbot controlled play for the majority of the game.
The Hawks are on a roll, but there big test will come after the interleague break when they travel to Navarre to take on the Grasshoppers.
Talbot won 18.15.123 to 8.7.55
CAMPBELL'S CREEK vs NATTE BEALIBA – SWANS SNAP STREAK
A nine-goal haul to star forward Mark Fitzgerald has helped Natte Bealiba to a 55-point win over Campbells Creek on Saturday.
With first-year Swans coach Shane Green’s side in desperate need of a win after a series of disheartening losses, Natte streaked away to a 23.11 (149) to 14.10 (94) victory over the Magpies, who fought valiantly to keep the Swans in check.
In a game of two distinct halves, the two sides appeared evenly matched in the opening two terms, with the Swans holding a 23-point lead at half time before kicking away with a seven goal third term.
Fitzgerald was unstoppable up forward for the Swans, booting goals from a mixture of contested marks and ground level opportunities, while utility Zac Perez was also at his hard-running best with three goals. Tom Douglas and Brent Mortlock also booted two goals apiece.
Minus high-flying forward Joel Smith through injury, Campbells Creek were not minus targets up forward, with James Burzacott, Josh Adamson, Cody Adamson, Chris Stone and Gary Wallis all slotting two majors, but simply could not match the Swans’ firepower up forward.
Fitzgerald, young ruckman Alexander Banko, Jacob Long, Perez and Brayden Mills were the Swans’ standouts, while Creek’s best performers were Josh Adamson, Burzacott, Aaron Murray, James Hodoras and Gary Bradford.
MARYBOROUGH ROVERS vs CARISBROOK – BROOK’S BIG BLOWOUT
Maryborough Rovers’ woes have continued, with the Magpies suffering a massive 236-point thrashing at the hands of a seemingly unstoppable Carisbrook.
Yet to score a win thus far in 2013, Rovers were always going to be up against it in taking on the unbeaten Redbacks, but no-one could have predicted the extent of Carisbrook’s dominance, with a 37.23 (245) to 1.3 (9) win.
Nathan Wright was the major benefactor of Carisbrook’s dominance, booting 11 goals against a hapless Rovers defence, while Tom Wright, Ryan Hudson-Morgan, Travis Cornwill, Sheldon Robertson and Nick Wright all got in on the goal feast, each booting multiples.
Nathan Wright, Jay Anderson, Cornwill, Ty Stewart and Clayton Furniss were the best for Carisbrook, while Trent Monk, Brent Richie, Matt Stiles, James Rowles, Brad Fraser and Matt Batson were the best for Rovers.
Rovers remain winless and are now in last place on the ladder, with yesterday’s massive loss pushing them below Trentham.
Richard Phillips was the Magpies’ sole goalkicker.
NAVARRE vs ROYAL PARK – HOPPERS DOWN SPIRITED TIGERS
Navarre’s winning streak has continued, with the Grasshoppers scoring a 90-point victory over a gallant Royal Park on Saturday.
After a relatively evenly matched opening half, the Grasshoppers kicked away with an eight-goal third term to defeat the spirited Tigers, 21.10 (136) to 7.4 (36).
Power forward pairing Kris Brennan and Zane Bigmore put the Tigers to the sword, booting six and five goals respectively, while Bryce Tickner, Daniel Parkin and Ben Scott also slotted multiple majors for the Grasshoppers.
Josh Driscoll, Louis Hannett, Scott and Rhett Murphy were the best for the victors, wile Matthew Walker, Brendan Birch, Dylan McLean, Trent Pye and Dayne Baker were the Tigers’ standouts.
Zack Short was Royal Park’s main target up forward, slotting three goals, while Corey Neil, Jibb Iglesias, Matthew Levings and Baker were other goalkickers for the Tigers.
Avoca v Maldon – Bombers storm home over the top of Bulldogs.
The Maldon Bombers went into the final term of the match against Avoca down by 43 points and seemingly without a chance of getting the points.
But the Bombers never say die attitude kicked into play in the final term and they had two quick goals inside two minutes through Mark Webb and Jacob Fitzpatrick, and the Bulldogs were having trouble curtailing the run of Hayden Kelly and Shaun Burchell who both slotted goals, and all of a sudden it was only a 20 point ball game.
Avoca was outstanding in the first half particularly in the opening term where they kicked eight goals to two, but the Bulldogs second half was very ordinary and they did not give a yelp in the final term, succumbing to the pressure of the Maldon running players.
It was all Maldon in the final term with seven goals to nil and with just 20 seconds on the clock Hayden Kelly pounced on the ball and run into an open goal and put the Bombers in front by a solitary point much to the delight of the Maldon faithful.
It was a very disappointing second half display by the Bulldogs, but the Bombers were very happy with their final quarter performance as was displayed by their very vocal club song after the game.
The Bombers won 13.12.90 to 13.11.89.
Newstead v Dunolly – One way traffic
It was a percentage boosting performance by Newstead against Dunolly on Sunday as the Steaders ran out 164 point winners over the struggling Eagles unit.
Leading MCDFNL Goalkicker, Daniel Christmas finished with ten goals and Tom Reece provided a great support act finishing with seven, but it was the run of Ethan Ford and Sam Kerr that again set the Steaders alight as they ran their opponents of their legs, Michael Checkley was also good on the wing and Nathan Webster and Mark Ramsey were also amongst the better players for Newstead.
Good players were hard to find for the Eagles but Nick Manley played well across half back and Evan Kovesy and Graham Crawford were both prominent in the ruck duels, while young Matt Gibbs was creative on the wing, but it was Newstead all the way as they were never in doubt and won in very convincing fashion to remain on top of the ladder. 29.16.190 to 4.2.26.
Last Modified on 20/05/2013 08:57