Avoca v Lexton
Lexton recorded an expected 52 point victory over Avoca in Round 6 of the Bendigo Bank Maryborough Castlemaine District Football & Netball League this past Saturday, but were made to work a bit harder for the four points than they may have anticipated.
It was a very surprised Lexton that actually trailed Avoca as the half time siren sounded at the Avoca Public Park on Saturday.
The Tigers were under extreme pressure particularly from the Bulldogs defense and it was only late in the first term that they were able to break the lines and take the lead with two quick goals after Avoca had done a sterling job in containing the Tigers.
The Bulldogs continued their pressure and also hit the scoreboard with four goals to one to lead at half time by 10 points. The Bulldogs young players were full of run with Brady Williams and Lachy Morganti kicking running goals, but unfortunately the Bulldogs lost two of their key players in this term, with Andrew Hewson and Jesse Britton suffering game-ending injuries.
Lexton took over the game as they blew the Bulldogs away in the third term with a strong ten goal performance including four goals to Matthew Brown who kicked seven for the game.
The Bulldogs scored through Henningsen from the first centre bounce, but the Tigers were winning the ball out of the middle as they ran in numbers of the half back line and had quick delivery to the forward line.
Lexton continued to win through the middle in the final term, and outscored Avoca by 19 points for the term, but to the Bulldogs credit they fought the game out to the end and eventually lost to the Tigers by 52 points.
Dylan Barr and Jimmy Templeton led the way for the Tigers as did Matt Brown providing a focal point up forward with his seven goals, while Nick Spolding was once again a pillar in defence.
The Bulldogs were well served by their new ruckman Rangi Vickers who provided plenty of ball to those around him particularly Taylor Raine and Mick Henningsen who had plenty of ball at ground level, while Jake Nicholson was solid in defence and Lachlan Morganti provided plenty of run around the ground.
Newstead v Royal Park
Whilst Royal Park won by a comfortable 52 point margin against Newstead in Round 6, it wasn’t without some anxious moments as the Roos started the game in fantastic fashion.
Newstead took Royal Park by complete surprise as they posted six first quarter goals to one to set up a 30 point lead at quarter time and they went to the huddle full of confidence, while the Tigers were wondering what had just happened.
However, the roles were reversed in the second quarter with Royal Park scoring five goals and five behinds to just four behinds for the home team who trailed by a solitary point at half time.
It was a hard fought third term with neither team giving an inch, but it was Royal Park who gained a slight upper hand to lead by ten points at the final change.
As in previous games, Royal Park once again finished the game off strongly and ran all over the Steaders in the final term to kick eight goals to one as they ran out winners by a 52 point margin.
Jayden Bott, Joel Smith and Nick Richardson gathered plenty of ball for the Steaders and were well supported by Ben Krol, Ash Webster and Brent Devereaux , while Royal Park’s better players were Kris Morley, Stefan Pye, Jake Pring and Brendan Murdoch, while Zac Stewart and Josh Brown were again amongst the goals with nine between them.
Royal Park 16.13.109 def Newstead 8.9.57
Maryborough Rovers v Harcourt
Harcourt has survived a major scare against Maryborough Rovers in round six of the MCDFNL, with Lions keeping their unbeaten record intact thanks to a one-goal win over a gallant Magpies.
Some inaccurate kicking in front of goals nearly came back to haunt the Lions, who scored their sixth straight win 14.12 (96) to 14.6 (90).
After the Magpies got the jump on the unbeaten Harcourt side in the opening term, leading by 13 points at the first break, the Lions clawed their way back into the contest to lead by nine points at half time, booting six second-term goals to go into the main break 8.7 (55) to Rovers' 7.4 (46). Another bountiful quarter from Harcourt netted five more goals for the Lions in the third term, extending their lead to 27 points at the final break. As they've done so many times this year however, the Magpies refused to go away in the final term, reeling the Lions' lead in via five final term goals, while Harcourt could manage just 1.5 to escape an upset by the skin of their teeth. The victory also came at a cost for Harcourt, who look set to be without Paul Chaplin for a number of games after suffering an arm injury in Saturday's clash.
For the victors, Chris Stone continued his outstanding 2015 form with four goals, while Shaun Smith, Joel Smith, Adam Ward and Daniel Smith all booted two majors. Chris Ling was named Harcourt's best, along with veteran hackman Alan Mack. Alex Birch and Kyle McLean.
Karson Guareschi and Dylan Gibson proved to be an effective pairing up forward for Rovers, slotting three goals apiece, backed up by David Popovski with two of his own. Bryce Fletcher, Guareschi brothers Karson and Brayden, Tristan Knights and Chris Gunn were Rovers' standouts.
Campbells Creek v Carisbrook
The Carisbrook juggernaut continued to roll on in round six, with the Redbacks eclipsing Campbells Creek to the tune of 61 points in yet another massive win.
Minus their three most potent forwards this season in Nathan Wright (suspension), Matt Bilton and Cole Roscholler (injury), the Redbacks still managed to kick 19.12 (126) to the Creekers' 9.11 (65).
After a closely contested opening term saw the Brookers head into the opening break ahead by just nine points, it appeared the Magpies could push the Redbacks all the way, however Carisbrook's class rose to the top, booting seven goals in the second term to blow the game wide open, while restricting the Creek to just a solitary behind for the term. Things continued down the same path after half time,with Carisbrook slotting seven more goals in the second half to the Magpies' five, running out 10-goal winners at the final siren.
In the absence of Carisbrook's spearheads, former coach Luke Treacy rose to the occasion with five goals, ably backed up by Jack Ross, who put in another impressive showing with three goals, Mitch Whelan, Kieran Johns and Matt Jukes who all booted two. Midfielder Riley Herd, Ross, Kurt Bruechert and Jon Gray were named the victors' standout performers in an impressive team performance.
Jye Cartledge lead the way on the scoreboard for the Magpies, booting three goals, along with two more majors for Mark Ashmore. James Boag, Luke Pritchard, Anthony Taylor and Cartledge were named Creek's best.
Natte Bealiba v Maldon
Natte Bealiba has recorded its fifth win of the 2015 MCDFNL season after triumphing by 37 points in a gripping battle against Maldon.
The Swans responded in winning fashion after the Dons mounted a second half fightback, with Natte running out the winner, 17.11 (113) to 12.4 (76).
While the Swans exploded out of the blocks in the opening term, booting 6.4 in the first term to lead by 28 points at the first break, the side appeared to struggle for continuity in the second and third terms, despite continuing to maintain their lead for the entirety of the game. Maldon came within two goals of the Swans late in the third term, only for Natte's running players in the forms of Daniel Gifford, Tom Douglas, Brent Mortlock and Jarrod Bateson to respond in the best fashion possible, continuing to turn defence into attack and feed Natte's forwards, leading to what was eventually a comprehensive win for the Swans.
Adrian Pilgrim again lead the way on the scoreboard for Natte, booting four goals for the day, while Zac Perez, Matt Stagg, Jacob Long, Trent Mortlock and Daniel Gifford all bagged two. Gifford, Bateson, Pilgrim, Stagg and Douglas were named Natte's best.
Jamie Cox proved to be a nuisance for a Natte defence minus lynchpin Chris Jardine throughout the day, booting four goals, while Nick Kelly (three) and Michael Mulholland (two) both slotted multiples. Kelly, Jake Elliott, Damien Gatti and Bryce Roberts were Maldon's best performers.
Dunolly v Trentham
The Dunolly Eagles have broken through for their first win of the season with a big win over Trentham at Dunolly on Sunday.
The Eagles certainly regained some respect when they showed the Saints a clean pair of heels who were playing catch up football from midway through the game.
The inclusion of Justin Laird after four weeks on the sidelines through suspension added strength around the ground and a focal point up forward and the Eagles are certainly a better team with him in the side.
Trentham started the game strongly and after a competitive 1st term actually led at quarter time by 13 points, but the Eagles broke the game open with an eight goal to one second term. The run of Matt Gibbs was creating problems for the Saints as the little livewire set up a lot of run for the Eagles, while Justin Laird, David Bilton and Peter Wytkamp were amongst the goals with five of the eight goals between them.
The Saints entry into their forward line was sparse, but the Eagles Michael Campbell was proving to be a stumbling block as the energetic young back man continually run the ball out of defence as the Eagles went into the main break leading by 32 points.
If the game was not over at half time, it certainly was at three quarter time as the Eagles continued to lead the Saints to the ball and the Eagles forwards took advantage with another four goals to nil to lead at three quarter time by 53 points
The Saints fought back to win the final term, but the game was well and truly in the Eagles keeping a long way out from the final siren.
Matt Gibbs, Jordi Philbrick and Mick Campbell created a lot of run for the Eagles with Justin Laird (5 goals) and Peter Wytkamp (3 goals) accuracy in front of goal a key factor in the Eagles win.
John Nadin, Brendan James and Chris Whelan tried hard all day for the Saints, as did James Wicker, while Mark Strickland kicked three goals for the Saints.
The Eagles won by 40 points. 16.9.105 to 9.11.65
Talbot v Navarre
Navarre set up their 28th consecutive victory over Talbot on Sunday with a six goal to two goal opening term , but it was a very competitive effort from the Hawks for the remainder of the game as they pushed the Grasshoppers all of the way.
The Hawks actually outscored the visitors in the third term and went into the final quarter with a full head of steam after being in arrears by only 23 points,
Navarre withstood the challenge in the final quarter restricting the Hawks to just one goal, while adding three goals to the final score themselves to eventually win a hard fought battle by 37 points.
The Grasshoppers went into the game without a number of key players including Brent Flood, Louis Hannett and Ash Driscoll, but Cody Driscoll stepped up in the vacant forward role finishing with a seven goal haul, while a number of teenagers filled the best players list including Shaun Clohesy, Billy Parry and Lachlan Slorach.
Talbot was well served by Trent Barras, Robert Conroy and Daniel Romeo, with Matt Whiteman sneaking under the guard of the Grasshoppers defenders to kick three goals.
Navarre 13.12.90 def Talbot 8.5.53
Last Modified on 01/06/2015 11:33