Trentham v Maryborough Rovers – Saints get the points in inaugural Anzac Day Clash
Trentham and Rovers both showed the Anzac Spirit in a hard fought clash on Anzac Day in the Bendigo Bank Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League.
Trentham coach Clayton Scoble was inspirational as he led from the front and was easily best player on the ground, as he led his team to victory by ten points in a thrilling game under the new lighting at Trentham Oval.
The Saints got the jump on Rovers in the opening term and used the open spaces to run and carry and finish the term with three goals to nil. Rovers had plenty of ball in their forward area but could not capitalise on the opportunities that were presented.
Rovers were first into attack in the second term as Karson Guareschi’s quick kick forward found new recruit Marcus Forbes and the big forward slotted his first goal for his new team. Another goal a minute later to the Magpies courtesy of a set shot from Graeme Kennedy reduced the margin to eight points. Then three goals in succession to Clayton Scoble and another to Luke Whitehouse had the Saints on a roll as they pushed the lead back out to 30 points at the twenty two minute mark. To Rovers credit they did not give in and three quick goals before the half time siren reduced the margin to just nine points at the main break.
It was hard tough skilful football with both teams giving no quarter and the second half was no different as both teams fought the game out to the final siren.
Trentham assumed control again in the third term and were using the scoreboard wing to run the ball down to their forward line to where Callan Wellings and Justin Hoffman finished truly for the Saints as they pushed their lead out to 22 points at the final change.
The final term was a dog fight as both teams continued to attack and Rovers fought back early in the term, only for the Saints to once again kick away to a strong lead, but it was Rovers who finished strongly and had reduced the margin to just ten points as the Rovers forward line led by Brad Fraser showed their fighting spirit, but the final siren put an end to the Rovers charge in what was a very entertaining and worthy Anzac Day match.
Trentham won the game 15.9.99 to 13.11.88
Campbells Creek v Talbot
Campbells Creek and Talbot played the match of the round with a hotly contested match that was in the balance until the dying stages of the game.
Talbot had the upper hand at the half time break, but Creek started to gain the ascendency through the third term and hit the front when latest recruit, ruckman James Hellwege from VFL club Frankston Dolphins, goaled from a tight angle lust before three quarter time.
Hellwege and Creekers coach Sean Smith both played a big role in the home team maintaining the upper hand in the final term. Smith found his brother Joel with a pass just ten seconds into the final quarter and the result was a goal that gave Creek a eleven point lead. Five minutes later, Sean Smith received a free kick and he kicked truly to set Talbot a task of kicking three goals to win the game.
The Hawks managed to kick one of the target required when Trent Barras kicked a running left foot goal from directly in front, but Joel Smith quickly answered when he outpointed Anthony Tatchell in a marking contest, and the star forward kicked the sealer to win the game by 14 points and to be sitting in fourth place on the Ladder after a two-zip start to the season..
Creek won 13.7.85 to 10.11.71
Newstead v Avoca
Avoca travelled to Camp Reserves in Castlemaine to face Newstead and the Bulldogs caught the Steaders napping as they were first to the ball and slotted the first two goals of the game, however it wasn’t long before the Steaders kicked into gear and controlled the game from quarter time.
An eleven goal bag from star defender-cum-forward Mark Ramsey provided plenty of entertainment for the crowd and the bullocking work from Ben Krol also was noticeable as the Steaders gave the Bulldogs a football lesson, particularly after half time kicking nine goals to four to eventually win the game by fifty three points.
The Bulldogs played well in patches with Tommy Nankivell, Mitch Kennedy and Brad Schiltz showing out at ground level, while Alec Wiltshire was solid across half back, but they were no match for Newstead’s all round consistency and had no one capable of stopping Ramsey.
Newstead won 17.13.115 to 9.4.58
Carisbrook v Natte-Bealiba
Carisbrook has bounced back from its round one loss to score a 41-point win over Natte Bealiba at Princes Park on Saturday.
A week after an uncharacteristic poor start against Newstead, it was a different Carisbrook side that ran out against the Swans, recovering from the sting of defeat to score a 15.10 (100) to 9.5 (59), with inaccurate kicking saving the Swans from an even bigger defeat.
After an even opening half which saw the Redbacks take a seven-point win into the main break, the Brookers piled on seven goals in the third term, while also holding the Swans scoreless. Natte fought back in the final term, booting four goals to Carisbrook’s two, but the Redbacks’ lead was a test too far for the Swans.
Royal Park v Maldon
Royal Park has made one of its most promising starts to an MCDFNL in recent seasons, scoring an impressive 40-point win over a lacklustre Maldon at home on Saturday.
Lead by another standout performance from veteran midfielder Brendan Birch, who slotted two goals after a bag of five in round one, the Tigers downed the Dons 10.21 (81) to 6.5 (41), with inaccuracy costing the home side the opportunity to score a mammoth win over the struggling Bombers.
After an opening term which saw the scores locked at 15 all, the Tigers slotted four majors to the Dons’ one to take a 20-point lead into the main break, and then continued to take the game away from Maldon right until the final siren in an impressive display from Royal Park, who continue to make massive improvements under the tutelage of over second-year coach Greg Stewart.
Along with Birch, new recruits Taylor Stewart, Tom Quick and Oliver Schmidt were named the Tigers’ best, while Hamish Blake and Zac Stewart both continued their impressive start in front of goal for Bushy, each slotting two.
Hayden Kelly continued to lead the way for Maldon, and was duly named the Dons’ best, but had little support, with Brad Simpson, Mark Webb and former Dunolly forward, Ben Doyle, named the Bombers’ best. Nick Kelly and Hayden Winstanley were Maldon’s only multiple goalkickers, booting two each.
Royal Park will now face its biggest test of the season thus far in round three next week, coming up against a rampant Campbells Creek, while Maldon could have a chance to score a win, facing off against Trentham on its home turf.
Harcourt v Navarre
Navarre has continued to prove it is still the MCDFNL’s team to beat, with the reigning premier piling the pain upon a struggling Harcourt on Saturday to win by a mammoth 128 points.
Navarre forward Ash Driscoll continued his outstanding start to the season, booting 11 goals to lead the Grasshoppers to victory, 25.12 (162) to Harcourt’s 4.10 (34).
After a slow opening quarter by their own lofty standards, the Hoppers piled on goal after goal in the final three terms, including eight-goal third and fourth quarters, while Harcourt struggled to get the ball forward at times, and inaccurate kicking hurt them further.
It was familiar names who did the majority of the damage for Navarre, with Brent Flood, Driscoll, Bryce Tickner, Ben Scott and Daniel Parkin dominating for the premiers, while Cody Driscoll joined older brother Ash up forward to slot four majors, while Nick Murphy, Scott and Aaron Slorach all kicked two apiece.
Former Berry Powell medallist Paul Chaplin fought hard for the Lions all day, but to little avail, while recruit Jack Fitzpatrick also did his utmost to keep Harcourt in the game, as did Alex Purdon and Sam Gale. Chaplin, Fitzpatrick, Justin Trevan and Chris Stone shared the goalkicking duties for the Lions, whose record is now 0-2 under co-coaches Daniel Smith and Scott Whitehead.
Lexton v Dunolly
Lexton were expected to dominate Dunolly on the wide open spaces of Lexton Recreation Reserve in this week’s Sunday game, but Dunolly had different idea’s and had plenty of opportunities to cause an upset in a very scrappy game.
The Tigers were unimpressive and were prevented from using there run and carry by the Eagles close checking. The Tigers disposal was always under pressure as they tried for that extra handball instead of using the first option available.
It was only in the third term that the Tigers started to play with some run and carry through the middle of the ground, and also using the scoreboard wing to transfer play, where James Morrish, Jimmy Templeton and Nathan Barnes were getting plenty of ball, but delivery to Matthew Brown was unimpressive as the quality forward was well held by Harry Warren at full Bback, but still managed to kick four goals.
The final quarter was played in the Tigers forward half as their superior fitness showed out, but the Tigers forwards inaccuracy was very disappointing for the Tiger faithful and was a talking point amongst the crowd.
The Eagles were impressive at times with Jay Pitto, Dylan Gordois and Jamie Towsend figuring among the better players, while Ruckman Adrian Devereaux was very competitive in his match up with Nigel Reid, but the Tigers were too good for the Eagles winning by 50 points.
Lexton 13.17.95 to Dunolly 7.3.45
Last Modified on 28/04/2014 16:30