Talbot v Avoca
Both Avoca and Talbot entered their crucial contest at Talbot on Saturday with their seasons potentially on the line and it was the Bulldogs that reigned supreme, winning by 32 points.
The first quarter was an even contest, with the Hawks starting full of run and, through Jonathon Arnel, goaling inside the first minute of the game - a goal which Avoca soon answered through spearhead Murray Bond to set the tone for the quarter, which ended with a two-point lead to the Bulldogs.
The second term was all Avoca as Beau Ketchen set the ball rolling from the opening bounce with a checkside goal inside 30 seconds. Nathan Coghlan then kicked two in a row and Jesse Britton kicked a 55 metre bomb to put the Hawks on the back foot early. Avoca’s forward defensive pressure was forcing Talbot to kick long resulting in a number of turnovers, and Avoca gained further ascendancy when Bond booted the final four goals of the quarter to give the Bulldogs a handsome thirty-nine point half-time lead.
The Hawks came out after half time full of run whilst the Bulldogs stopped to a walk and the Hawks little men like Matthew Smith, David Clark and Brandon McRedmond were opening up the Bulldogs with run and carry football. Talbot held the Bulldogs goalless for the term, kicking four goals themselves, to be back within ten points of the Bulldogs at three quarter time. Trent Barras was proving to be a handful up forward, kicking two goals for the quarter to give him four for the game as the Hawks brought the game alive.
Talbot goaled early in the final quarter though Andrew Harry to reduce the margin to just four points before the running players of the Bulldogs came alive, with Tom Nankivell, Beau Ketchen and Lachlan Edwards driving the Bulldogs forward at every opportunity. The Bulldogs finished the game strongly with four goals including a snap from Brad Schiltz who continually attacked the ball with a number of efforts, and was finally rewarded for his hard work
Avoca 16.10.106 defeated Talbot 11.8.74 and moves up to sixth place on the Ladder whilst Talbot remains in ninth place.
Lexton v Dunolly
Lexton received a shock when they were trailing by seven points at quarter time to the Dunolly Eagles on Saturday. The Eagles surprised the Tigers with some great running play and were very confident at quarter time of continuing their good form for the remainder of the game. But it was not to be as Lexton bounced back in the second quarter and kicked five goals to nil which put the Tigers in a winning position as they led by 24 points at half time.
Damon Aspland was again the key player though the middle for Lexton while Matt Brown had the goal kicking boots on with eight goals for the game and the dangerous Rob Mosby was a supporting act with five goals.
Damien Hughes, Lee Jackson and Hayden Wellard were prominent for Dunolly, as was Coach Tony Bellenger, but their efforts were in vain as Lexton kicked away in the final term for a big win for the home team, winning 20.5.125 to 8.4.52.
Royal Park v Carisbrook
Royal Park went into the game against the league leaders on Saturday minus key onballer Trent Pye who broke his hand in a recent game and he was sorely missed as the Redbacks dominated proceedings from start to finish.
Matthew Bilton dominated on the wide open spaces of Hedges Oval and along with Luke Robinson and Ryan Morgan, they provided plenty of forward supply to Nathan Wright who finished with seven goals as the Redbacks finished with ten different goalkickers for the game.
The Redbacks were also pleased with Luke Treacy’s form as he recovers from an early season injury, while Jackson Bowen slotted three goals with another good showing after recently returning from a knee injury.
Shaun Collicoat, Hamish Blake and Jimmy Shelton were the standouts for Royal Park, while Jarrad O’Connor also continued with his good form, but the Tigers were no match for the Reigning premiers who are coasting along taking everything before them.
Carisbrook won 31.20.206 to 3.5.23
Campbells Creek v Newstead
Campbells Creek were never in the hunt on Sunday when Newstead completely whitewashed the home team with star forward Daniel Christmas kicking twelve goals in the 165 point demolition job.
It was one way traffic from the very start in proceedings as Newstead opening term saw them kick seven goals to nil, which was to be the template for the remainder of the game.as the Creekers could only kick five goals for the game while Newstead slammed on 32 goals.
The return of Sammy Kerr was also fruitful with a nine goal haul to his name, while Ethan Ford racked up numerous possessions for the Steaders in what will likely be his last home-and-away game for the season due to an overseas jaunt, with Ford planning to return for the finals.
Creek went into the match undermanned as they were minus the Smith brothers in Coach Sean and Joel who is one of the clubs focal points around the goal mouth, so the Magpies were always going to find it a difficult task to be competitive against the highly fancied Newstead combination.
Newstead won 32.11.203 to 5.8.38
Natte Bealiba v Harcourt
Natte Bealiba has been brought back to earth with a thud after going down to Harcourt by two goals on Saturday.
The Swans were unable to limit the influence of Lions stars Matt Giri and Kris Davis early on, and combined with some inaccurate kicking, let the visitors them slip out to a 12.4 (76) to 9.10 (64).
Just a week after Natte toppled Navarre, the Lions were able to beat the Swans at their own game, applying a stranglehold to the home side's playmakers, and were far sharper and slicker with the ball in hand.
Davis and Scott Newton were the major forces in attack for Harcourt, slotting two goals each and backed up by Nathan Mitchell, Paul Chaplin and Alan Mack, who was steadfast in defence for the Lions all day.
Natte drops to eighth on the ladder which would be disappointing for the Swans faithful after their promising win the week before.
Maryborough Rovers v Maldon
Maldon has withstood a spirited challenge from the winless Maryborough Rovers to register a 38 point win.
The Magpies threw everything they had at the Dons, and then some, in an effort to record their first victory of 2013, but it wasn't enough, with the Bombers scoring a 13.16 (94) to 8.8 (56) win.
Both teams found it difficult to score in the opening half before the Dons broke the shackles with a six goal third term, and then withstood the Pies' pressure to close out the game.
Luke Davey (three goals) and Shaun Burchell, Jacob Fitzpatrick and Tim Conway were Maldon's chief scorers, while Nick Kinross, Marc Carroll and Andrew Hall were named the best for the victors.
The inclusion of tall utility Josh Mockridge paid dividends for Rovers as he slotted two goals along with Tristan Knights, while experienced trio Brad Fraser, Chris Gunn and and Graeme Kennedy were the best for the Pies.
Navarre v Trentham
Navarre has bounced back from last week's upset loss to Natte Bealiba to thrash Trentham by 101 points.
The Grasshoppers were back to their best against the struggling Saints, scoring a ruthless 17.20 (122) to 3.3 (21) win.
Kris Brennan did the majority of the damage for Navarre in his return from injury, booting seven goals, while Lewis Baker (three) and Nick Murphy (two) also made an impact on the scoreboard. Along with that trio, Josh Fowkes and Ashley and Josh Driscoll featured among the best for their side.
Corey Pedley, Luke Whitehouse and James Gray shared the goal kicking honours for the Saints, who have just one win to their name, while coach Clayton Scoble, Gray and Christopher Whelan were names the visitors' best.
Last Modified on 08/07/2013 16:52