Natte Bealiba vs Lexton
Natte Bealiba has continued to build momentum heading into the fast-approaching finals series thanks to a 26-point win over Lexton in slippery conditions on Saturday.
Despite the sunshine, rain earlier in the week had turned Natte’s home ground into a swamp, and the Swans adapted far better to the boggy conditions than their opponents, scoring a 9.11 (65) to 6.3 (39) victory over the fourth-placed Lexton side.
The Swans’ spread of goalkickers proved to be the difference between the two sides, with Natte captain Mark Fitzgerald slotting three, while Brent Mortlock, Ryan Weir and Lachlan Cameron all booted two apiece.
Lexton had earlier carried a one-point advantage into the first break, 13 to 12, before a five goal second term from the Swans blew the game apart, especially after the Tigers were held scoreless by Natte’s backline, lead by veteran Chris Jardine, who completely blanketed Tigers spearhead Matt Brown for most of the clash.
Lexton fought their way back into the game, but the margin was too much to reel back in, as the Swans’ midfield of Mortlock, Jacob Long and Stephen Ross lead the way for the home side.
Tigers small forward Rob Mosby continued his solid form with two goals, while Brown also slotted two, and James Morris, Riley Browne, James Templeton and Damon Aspland were the best for Lexton.
The loss now sees Lexton slip to fifth on the MCDFNL ladder, even on points with Natte and a game behind Harcourt.
Talbot vs Maldon
Talbot continues to cling to hopes of a finals berth thanks to a 10-point victory over Maldon on the Dons’ home turf on Saturday.
With their season on the line, the Hawks turned up to determined to keep their season afloat and did just that, running out winners 10.19 (79) to 10.9 (69) over the Dons.
Had the Hawks kicked straight, they could have put the game even further out of reach, wasting early chances with a 4.5 first term to take a nine-point buffer into the first break.
Maldon hit back in the second quarter, bring the margin back to just three points, before the Hawks managed to break the shackles in the second half, lead by mid-sized forward Trent Barras, who booted three goals, while David Clark and Josh Sullivan slotted two apiece.
Jon Arnel continued his solid run of form in the second half of the year to be named the Hawks’ best, along with Richie Clark, Lukas Mortimer and Ryan Erkamps.
Jack Fitzpatrick slotted four majors for the Dons, as he and Shaun Burchell (two) attempted to drag the Bombers over the line, but it wasn’t to be, as the Hawks managed to draw even on points with Maldon, who are just inside the competition’s top eight, with just two games remaining.
Navarre vs Carisbrook
Carisbrook has kept its unbeaten run intact in the face of its toughest challenge yet in season 2013, with the Redbacks getting over the line by four goals against Navarre in one of the most hotly-anticipated games of the year.
Redbacks co-coach Luke Treacy emerged as an unlikely threat up forward, slotting three goals, as the Grasshoppers kept close wraps on Carisbrook’s major threats up forward in the forms of Nathan and Nick Wright.
After the first half, it appeared the Hoppers might be on track to halt the Brook’s unbeaten run, taking a one-goal lead into the second half before the Redbacks almost inevitably wrested back control, slotting six second-half goals, while Navarre managed just one major after half time.
Defender Tim Heenan was named the Redbacks’ best in the win, along with fellow backman and co-coach Ben Kick, midfield star Matt Bilton, who also managed to slot two goals in the win, and running defender Jay Anderson, while tall utility Jackson Bowen also booted two goals.
With Navarre spearhead Kris Brennan kept to just one goal, Ash Driscoll emerged as the Hoppers’ focal point up forward, slotting two goals, while Ben Scott, Jesse Eckel and Brian Lovison named their side’s best.
Avoca v Dunolly
The Avoca Bulldogs were given a scare by Dunolly at the Avoca Public Park on Saturday in a match that was all tied up at half time.
Avoca’s Jesse Britton left the field just after half time with a shoulder injury and this saw the experienced Matthew Fidler join the fray and he immediately had an impact in structuring the forward line, as the Bulldogs produced a nine goal term with Fidler kicking three goals himself.
Sam Kaye provided first use of the ball for Avoca through the centre of the ground while Tom Nankivell and Lachlan Edwards proved to be unstoppable for the Bulldogs.
Dunolly was disappointing after half time but Coach Tony Bellenger, Jesse Hawkes and Joe Thompson never stopped trying for the Eagles. The task was made more difficult when Luke Schodde was stretchered from the field with a dislocated knee.
Dunolly’s goals were shared amongst five different goalkickers, while Murray Bond was the key focal point for the Bulldogs with four goals.
Last Modified on 13/08/2013 09:18