Royal Park v Lexton
Lexton proved too good for Royal Park in Saturday’s Battle of the MCDFNL Tigers, winning by 47 points at Hedges Oval
Royal Park’s loss was their second loss in succession and could prove to be very costly for their top-four hopes, as they now sit in sixth place on the ladder and are two games in arrears of Harcourt and Natte-Bealiba.
After an even first quarter, Lexton assumed the upper hand to lead at half time by 21 points.
Lexton transitioned the ball much better than Royal Park and were providing the ball to their forwards with precision use of the ball. Jordan Phelan has an exceptional left foot and is a prodigious kick of the football and made good use of it as he continually put the ball into the path of Matthew Brown and Lachlan Murray to allow the Lexton forwards the opportunity to mark in front of their opponents.
It was a low scoring third term, but Lexton still maintained the upper hand. Royal Park did have a lot of the ball in this term, but continually kicked to a contest in which the Lexton defenders had the upper hand. Lexton’s Ryan Wait was doing a fantastic job behind the ball, blanketing Royal Park’s star forward Josh Brown and keeping him to only one goal for the game, which was kicked late in the final term when the game was all but won.
Lexton entered the final term leading by 30 points and only three minutes into the term, the best on ground Jordan Phelan ripped the ball out of his opponents hands in a pack situation, and got the ball to James Morrish with quick hands, for Morrish to run into open goal and the game was virtually over from this point in the game. The visitors kicked four more goals to win comfortably and maintain their one game break over Natte-Bealiba and Harcourt to sit in third place on the ladder.
Lexton was well served by Jordan Phelan, Scott Clark, Justin White and Nigel Reid, while Mick Jennings also played a serviceable game in defence in his first game back from injury.
Royal Park’s better players were Jay Anderson, Hamish Blake and Lawrence Perks, while Jake Pring was again at his elusive best.
Lexton 13.15.93 def Royal Park 6.10.46
Avoca v Trentham
The Avoca Bulldogs have broken through for their second win of the season after trailing by three points at three quarter time and finishing with a five goal final term to defeat Trentham by thirteen points.
The Bulldogs also had their first victory for the season in the Reserves game and it certainly created a contented atmosphere for Bulldogs supporters at the Avoca Public Park.
The senior game was in the balance for the entire game, but the Bulldogs maintained a slight advantage in the first half to lead by ten points at half time.
But inaccurate kicking in the third term by the Bulldogs allowed the Saints to hit the lead late in the quarter and provided them the opportunity to win the game.
But the final break in proceedings allowed the Bulldogs to restructure and get their game back on track, and they finished strongly to win the game for captain Ben Howell who was playing his 350th game for Avoca.
Taylor Hall and Joel Carter were outstanding for the Bulldogs as they drove Avoca forward at every opportunity and it was Mick Henningsen who was the focal point and he finished with five goals to capitalise on the Bulldogs good work up the ground.
Kasey Williams, Lewis Bruton and James Wicker gave their all for the Saints and Luke Whitehouse was a handful for the Bulldog defenders as he kicked six goals, but the Saints could not keep the Bulldogs from victory.
Avoca 15.17.107 def Trentham 14.10.104
Carisbrook v Harcourt
Carisbrook inflicted Harcourt’s second loss for the season last Saturday, defeating the Lions by 32 points at Carisbrook Reserve.
A six goal opening term set up Carisbrook’s victory over Harcourt and it was enough to maintain a strong lead for the remainder of the game.
However Harcourt did match the Redbacks in the second quarter and actually outscored them by four goals in the final term to show a fighting quality that would have pleased coach Sean Smith.
But to be a premiership contender, you have to fight for four quarters, which the Lions failed to do, as Carisbrook kept them to just two points in the third term, while kicking five goals themselves, and it proved to be very costly as the final margin was just thirty two points.
Carisbrook’s promising youngsters were amongst their better players with Riley Herd and Jakob Tidyman playing a key role in the victory, while Travis Cornwill continued his good recent Reserves form at senior level this week.
Adam Ward, Daniel Smith and Jack Douglass played well for the Lions and Ward finished with three goals, but the Redbacks were victorious and remain in second spot on the ladder.
Carisbrook 15.13.103 def Harcourt 10.11.71
Navarre v Maldon
It was a very disappointing result for the Maldon Bombers on Saturday when they travelled to Navarre to take on the league leaders and failed to score a solitary goal for the game.
Navarre was still without a number of their key players, but it had no bearing on the result as the Grasshoppers dominated from the start of the game to the finish as they had forty four scoring shots to two in their 157 point victory over the struggling Bombers unit who could manage just two behinds for the day.
Navarre’s dominance was set up once again by their promising youngsters who have been well mentored by a number of their experienced players.
Aaron Slorach is having a very consistent season and finished with five goals for the game as did Cody Driscoll, while Jayden Fowkes and Billy Parry were others to contribute to the Grasshoppers dominance.
It was once again Shaun Burchell and Hayden Kelly that tried valiantly for the Bombers as did Josh Hutchinson and Josh Pascoe, but they were no match for the Grasshoppers as they continue their unbeaten run.
Navarre 23.21.159 def Maldon 0.2.2
Newstead v Talbot
Talbot's winning form continued on Saturday, with the Hawks making it three wins on the trot courtesy of a 24-point victory over Newstead on Saturday.
After wins over Maldon and Avoca in the previous two rounds, Talbot downed the Roos on the back of a four-goal haul to Trent Barras, 14.8 (92) to 10.8 (68), as the young Steaders side found themselves outmuscled and outplayed by the hungry Hawks.
However, a slow start by both sides saw scores locked at the first break at 20 points apiece, before the Hawks managed to establish a minisclue three-point lead by the main break. After a rev-up from co-coaches Matthew Smith and Dallas Byars at half-time, it was a different Hawks side which re-appeared from their rooms, bringing far more intensity to the contest, resulting in five third-quarter goals, while restricting the Roos to just two goals. Despite a flurry of scoring by Newstead in the last term, Talbot was able to respond with three majors of its own and run out winners.
Along with Barras' four majors, Luke Kemp, Brad Coffey and Ross Wise were able to boot three goals apiece, while Liam Belcher, Wise, Brendan Shine and Drew Hancock were the Hawks' best.
Darcy Ahern booted three majors for Newstead, along with two from Jonty Entwistle, with Joel Smith, Michael Dalrymple, Cody Kirby and Oscar Lynzaat named the Steaders' best.
Campbells Creek v Natte Bealiba
Natte Bealiba has moved into fourth spot on the MCDFNL ladder after the Swans demolished Campbells Creek by 89 points on Saturday.
The win saw Natte usurp Harcourt on the ladder and move into the top four, with five goals from Zac Perez helping the Swans on their way to a 23.11 (149) to 8.12 (60) victory over the Magpies.
A four-goal opening term saw the Swans carry a 15-point lead into the first break, before a deluge of scoring in the second term put the Swans well in front, with six second-quarter goals helping to establish a 33-point half-time buffer. Six Swans goals to Creek's three majors in the third term saw the lead stretch even further, while seven majors to nil in the final term put the nails in Creek's coffin, as the Swans ran out big winners.
Along with Perez, midfield duo Jarrod Bateson and Brent Mortlock booted four goals apiece, big man Lachlan Cameron slotted three and star midfielder Stephen Ross drilled home two in a big day of goalkicking for the Swans. Bateson was again named Natte's best performer, joined by Kurt Mortlock, Zac Perez and Jamie Evans.
Creek shared their goalkicking amongst eight individuals, while Daniel Klimeck, Matt Lorenz, Brandon Greenwood and Shannon Berriman were the Pies' top performers.
Dunolly v Maryborough Rovers
Maryborough Rovers have kept their finals dream alive with a 63-point victory over Dunolly on Saturday.
The Pies blew the Eagles out of the water, 14.15 (99) to 4.12 (36), meaning the Magpies keep a solid grip on seventh place on the competition ladder.
Rovers combined defence and attack in the opening term to boot four goals, while restricting Dunolly to just four behinds and creating a handy 24-point buffer by quarter time.
The attack continued from Rovers in the second term, with another four goals to Dunolly’s two stretching the Magpies’ lead to 37 points at the main break.
Rovers suffered a slight fadeout in the third term, taking their foot off the pedal momentarily to allow Dunolly to boot two quick goals, while wayward kicking saw the Magpies boot 2.4 for the quarter.
The attacking mindset returned in the final quarter, with Rovers drilling home four goals, while Dunolly could manage just a solitary behind as the young Eagles ran out of legs.
Richard Phillips made a cameo up forward for Rovers, booting three goals, as did Dylan Gibson, while Karson Guareschi snared two.
Defender Danny Whitnall was Rovers’ best performer, along with Bryce Fletcher, David Popovski and Daniel Jennison.
Jeremy Laird was Dunolly’s number one target up forward with two goals, while James Blackwell, Laird, Matt Gibbs and Jamie Townsend were Dunolly’s best.
Last Modified on 06/07/2015 10:53