Avoca v Royal Park
Avoca cemented their place in the 2013 Bendigo Bank MCDFNL Finals with an authorative fifty-six point victory over Royal Park at the Avoca Public Park last Saturday.
The opening term between Avoca and Royal Park was quick run on football, highlighted by Bulldog Nathan Coghlan booting four goals in the quarter in his return to the side to help set Avoca up with an eleven point lead at quarter time.
Both sides were finding it difficult to score a major in the second term until the twelve minute mark when Brendan Birch broke the drought for Royal Park. Adrian Pilgrim then kicked two quick goals to regain the momentum for Avoca just before the weather was about to set in before half time.
Due to the inclement weather it was a hard slog after the main break with both teams having difficulty handling the ball cleanly but it was the Bulldogs who dominated the second half kicking eight goals to three. Avoca’s smaller players such as Tom Nankivell, Brad Schiltz and Lachlan Edwards were gathering plenty of possession while Sam Kaye continues with his good form revelling in the muddy conditions and Alec Wiltshire was blocking everything from his defensive position as the Bulldogs ran away with the win and turn their attention to a pre-finals tune-up against Navarre next weekend.
Zac Short, Jimmy Shelton and Jayden Humphrey were amongst the Tigers better players and Dylan Mclean was also noticeable in the ruck, and whilst the Tigers were no match for Avoca, they'll look to finish their season off strong in the local derby against the Maryborough Rovers next week.
Talbot v Maryborough Rovers
It was a big second term that set up a 38 point win for Talbot over Rovers on Saturday, moving the Hawks into the top eight leading into the final round of the season.
Talbot kicked five goals nine behinds in the second term and led by 45 points at half time and would have been feeling very comfortable, but the Rovers had a mini resurgence after the main break with Corey Taylor stepping up for the Magpies as they posted five goals for the term and the possibility of another upset win was on the cards.
However Talbot settled in the final quarter and withstood the challenge securing a spot in the top eight and now have a must win contest next week against Harcourt if they are to play finals football.
Taylor kicked five goals for the game and was a key player for the Magpies as was the consistent Matt Stiles and Dion Hedger again showed his experience, but the Magpies were no match for the Hawks who were well led by Richard and David Clark and assistant coach Matthew Smith.
Navarre v Campbells Creek
It was a one sided contest from start to finish at the Campbell's Creek where the Magpies hosted Navarre on Saturday.
The mercurial Ben Scott was absolutely unstoppable and ran rings around his opponents to score twelve goals for the game.
Creek were disappointing scoring only two goal in the opening quarter and only troubled the goal umpire on one more occasion for the entire game as the Grasshoppers ran rampant with forty four scoring shots for the entirety of the match.
The Grasshoppers also went into the game without their coaches in Daniel Parkin and Brent Flood who were taking the opportunity to rest their injuries before the final series commences in a fortnights time - an ominous sign for Navarre's opponents leading into the finals.
Dunolly v Natte Bealiba
Natte Bealiba has steamrolled another opponent as it surges towards the MCDFNL finals series, overrunning Dunolly by 82 points on Saturday.
Star Swans utility Zac Perez made a stellar return from injury, slotting six goals as the Swans recorded an 18.16 (124) to 7.0 (42) win over the Eagles.
A nine-goal to three first half by the Swans proved the difference between the two sides, and Natte carried a 45 point lead into the second half as a result.
The Swans further built on that lead, slotting another nine goals in the second half to record yet another solid victory ahead of September.
Along with Perez, Ryan Weir slotted four goals, while Daniel Gifford, Dean Graco, Jake Long and Shane Mortlock were the Swans' best.
Grant Raven, Israel Mofalesi, Jamie Townsend and Lee Jackson were the Eagles' best, while Townsend and Brad Schodde each slotted two goals for the losing side.
Newstead v Trentham
Newstead has got its season back on track thanks to a mammoth 137-point victory over Trentham.
A huge 13 goal haul to spearhead Daniel Christmas helped the Roos demolish the Saints, 24.14 (158) to 3.1 (19).
The Roos dominated from the outset, slotting five goals in the opening term, and didn't let up from there, boosting their lead at every change in a demoralising result for the Saints.
Along with Christmas, Nathan Webster slotted two, while Matt Culvenor, Jayden Bott and Adrian Conn featured among the Steaders' best.
Coach Clayton Scoble, Luke Whitehouse and Sam Gardiner were named the best for the Saints.
Lexton v Maldon
Maldon's finals hopes have suffered a major blow after Lexton downed the Dons by 75 points on Saturday.
Tigers spearhead Matt Brown booted 6 to get Lexton over the line with ease, 15.15 (105) to 4.6 (30).
The Tigers blew the game apart in the opening term with a five-goal to one headstart, and continued to pile on the pain for the Dons, with even full back Michael Jennings getting in on the goalkicking action.
Small forward Rob Mosby continued his impressive form with 3 goals, while big man Cohan Poulton slotted two. Lachlan Pryor, Bryce Karslake and Jennings were the Tigers best, while Hayden Kelly, Wayne Burchell and Kyle Winstanley were the Dons' best.
Carisbrook v Harcourt
Sunday's match between Carisbrook and Harcourt promised to be a riveting contest given Harcourt's recent form and their desire to cling onto their newly-gained top four spot, but they were no match for a dominant Carisbrook side, booting just two goals for the day as the Redbacks flexed their muscles to win by a whopping 127 points.
The heavens opened up at the start of the game, however it had no effect on the ball handling skills of the Redbacks as they run in numbers and used the ball with precision. A goal to Nathan Wright in the first 20 seconds of the game proved a portent of things to come as Carisbrook dominated the play for the remainder of the day.
Harcourt tried hard all day but failed to get the ball past the half forward line where Jay Anderson and the Carisbrook backline were far too strong and repelled the ball whenever the Lions ventured forward.
The lack of defensive pressure from the Lions was evident as Carisbrook’s forwards in Nathan Wright and Luke Treacy were having a day out while Matt Bilton also ventured forward to kick five goals. Bilton and Nick and Tommy Wright were outstanding at ground level as was Ryan Hudson-Morgan and Nick Robinson.
Harcourt improved their intensity in the second half but they could still not break through on the scoreboard as Bilton and Treacy both kicked two goals in the third term. Carisbrook s tackling pressure resulted in a number of turnovers, allowing them to kick away in the final term. Harcourt kicked their second goal of the game after a fifty metre penalty placed Kasey Williams on the goal line and he goaled with a kick after the siren.
The league leaders now face Dunolly next week and are odds on to complete the home and away season undefeated. It is back to the drawing board for Harcourt as they tackle Talbot who will be giving their all as they fight to keep their spot in the top eight.
Last Modified on 19/08/2013 08:20