Talbot v Natte Bealiba
Natte Bealiba continues to press for a spot inside the Bendigo Bank MCDFNL's top four, with the Swans seeing off a spirited Talbot side in the penultimate round of the home-and-away season.
Despite some inaccuracy in front of the big sticks, Natte's class and spread of forward options proved the difference between the two sides, with Swans scoring a 14.12 (96) to 9.8 (62) victory against the Hawks.
Despite yet another sluggish start by the Swans, which saw them carry just a five point buffer into the first break, Natte was able to open the game up in the second term, with their midfield ascendancy ensuring plenty of goalscoring opportunities presented themselves, resulting in a 22-point lead at half-time.
The Hawks refused to lay down and die however, putting up a fight on their home turf and booting three goals in the third term, only for Natte to again put its foot on the gas and blow the game open once more, carrying a 23-point lead into the final term. The Hawks surged again with another three-goal quarter, but were no match for the speed and class of the Swans, who booted another six goals to round out the day and secure yet another vital win ahead of the finals series.
Young midfield star Tom Douglas continues to prove his worth since returing to Natte mid-season, putting in another best afield performance, ably backed up by big man Lachlan Cameron, Zac Perez and captain Jacob Long. Perez lead the way on the scoreboard for the Swans, snagging four majors, while Douglas and Brent Mortlock each booted two majors.
Josh Sullivan was named the Hawks' best for his efforts in both attack and defence, while Rowan Prentice, Ross Wise and Brodie Glen all tried hard for the home side. Wise was the major goalkicker for Talbot, booting three goals, while the dangerous Trent Barras snagged two.
Harcourt v Carisbrook
Carisbrook's momentum continues to build in the lead-up to the MCDFNL's finals series, with Harcourt the latest victim of the Redback's rampant form.
The Redbacks blew Harcourt out of the water to record a 72-point victory, 18.14 (122) to 7.8 (50).
Yet another bag of goals from livewire small forward Liam Cunningham, who slotted 10 majors for the day, was the highlight of the game, which was effectively over at the first break, with the Redbacks slotting seven majors and holding Harcourt entirely scoreless.
Despite a brief second quarter surge from Harcourt, which resulted in six goals for the Lions, Carisbrook was in control from start to finish, piling on yet more goals in the second half, including a seven-goal third term.
Star big man Jackson Bowen's string of good form rolled on, turning in yet another best afield display, along with Cunningham, the ever-creative Cole Roscholler and Clayton Furniss. Alongside Cunningham's efforts in front of goal, Nick Wright and Cole Roscholler each snagged two majors.
In a dirty day for the Lions, Chris Ling, Dean Watson, Kris Davis and Darren Colley all batled hard, while veteran forward Chris Stone was the only multiple goalkicker with two.
Newstead v Trentham
Newstead has snagged a vital win in its clash with Trentham, but it wasn't without some worry, as the Roos recorded a 23-point win over the lowly Saints.
As Newstead tries to recapture its early season form, the Saints put up a spirited display against the Steaders, with only a final term surge seeing the Roos over the line, 11.10 (76) to 8.5 (53).
A surprise return from star utility Mark Ramsey, who was thought to have retired earlier this season, proved the difference between the two sides, with the high-flying Kangaroo booting five majors.
In a scrappy affair, both teams struggled to find an avenue to goal early in the contest, with Newstead booting just two majors, while Trentham managed just one.
The second term delivered more of the same, as a rush of goals from the Saints rduced the margin to just two points at half-time.
The Steaders managed to maintain the upper hand in the third term, but Trentham refused to go away, harrying the Roos around the contest, and heading into the final break just one goal in arrears.
A three-goal-to-one final term proved the difference between the two sides, but Newstead coach Ross Smith will still have concern over the form of his side ahead of the finals series, which kicks off in just two short weeks.
Ramsey was named the Roos' best in his return, alongside regular contributors David Wall, Joal Smith and Zac Tanner, while Daniel Christmas also booted two goals.
Kasey Williams, James Gray, Jon Nadin and Lewis Bruton were valiant in the Saints' defeat, while Shaun Harrison and Taylor Drew each bagged two goals.
Lexton v Avoca
Lexton went into the penultimate game of the home and away season without Darren Jolly and star forward Matthew Brown, but it had no adverse effects on the forward structure for the Tigers as they ran out comfortable winners over the Avoca Bulldogs on Saturday.
The Bulldogs were very competitive in the first half and had the first goal on the scoreboard when Tyson Wardlaw received a free kick in the goal square, but Avoca was having difficulty containing big forward Justin Hobson who was marking everything that came into his area. The Bulldogs lost defender Ben Howell early in the game with a back injury and this made it even more difficult to keep Hobson under control. Hobson had eleven shots on goal for a return of seven goals and he also had a hand in a number of other major scores for the Tigers.
Lexton only led by 23 points at half time but when the Bulldogs Murray Bond left the field with a hamstring injury early in the third term, the Tigers took the upper hand and kept the Bulldogs to only one goal after half time, while kicking nine goals themselves.
Avoca only had the ball in their forward fifty on four occasions in the second half while the majority of the play was up Lexton’s end as they dominated possession in their 86 point victory.
Jimmy Templeton and Damon Aspland were again everywhere for the Tigers setting up attacking moves with their run and carry and they were well supported by Nigel Reid, Daniel Chester and Lachlan Pryor, and Justin Hobson up forward.
Alec Wiltshire and Adrian Pilgrim were Avoca’s better players as was Murray Bond until he was injured, while Taylor Raine, Tom Nankivell and Jesse Britton also came under notice.
Lexton won 16.21.117 to Avoca 5.1.31
Dunolly v Campbells Creek
A strong team effort by Campbells Creek has seen them defeat Dunolly at Deledio Park on Saturday, cementing an appearance in their first MCDFNL finals series since 1999.
The Creekers only led by 13 points at half time, but their second half was far superior to the Eagles as Coach Sean Smith led the way along with big Adam Pollock who finished with four goals for the game and Brandon Greenwood continued with his recent good form to bring a number of players into the game. Creek had numerous avenues to goal with ten goal scorers their 58 point victory.
Joe Thompson has had a very good season for the Eagles and he was again one of the standout players, while Jesse Olsen has proved to be a good find up forward and he finished with three goals.
Creek will now face Natte- Bealiba in the final round while it is a tough finish for the Eagles who make the trip to Navarre for their final clash of the season.
Campbells Creek won 18.17.125 to Dunolly 10.7.67
Navarre v Maldon
Fifteen goals between Ben Scott (8) and Ash Driscoll (7) has seen Navarre win in a very convincing manner over Maldon at Navarre Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
The Grasshoppers were never troubled as they set the game up with a six goal opening term while keeping the Bombers to just one goal. The Bombers were competitive in the second quarter, but it was one way traffic after half time as Navarre slammed on fifteen goals to four goals for the second half.
Josh and Jayden Fowkes played a key role in the victory as did Aiden Lee and Luke Hendy, while it was Hayden Kelly and Joel Cross who were again the dominant players for Maldon, while Nick McKnight, and youngsters Xavier Mawson and Damien Gatti also showed that they are also very capable players of the future for the Bombers.
Navarre have an easy finish to the home and away season when they host Dunolly next week, while Maldon will be facing up to Harcourt who lowered their colours to Carisbrook on Saturday.
Navarre won 25.10.160 to Maldon 8.5.53
Royal Park v Maryborough Rovers
Royal Park has asserted their hometown dominance over Maryborough Rovers in the local derby at Hedges Oval on Sunday, taking out the #SayNo2FamilyViolence Trophy in a canter.
The game was played in extremely windy conditions which Rovers did not take advantage of in the opening term allowing the Tigers to kick four goals into the breeze while only adding two behinds to the scoreboard.
Rovers kicked the opening goal in the second quarter when Dion Hedger kicked long into the breeze to allow Grant Ryan to take an uncontested mark directly in front of the goal square.
Shortly after the Rovers goal, Tigers forward, Zach Tunbridge had to leave the field with a hamstring injury, but it did not stop the scoring power of the Tigers as they finished the quarter strongly.
An unusual occurrence happened midway through the quarter, when Matt Stiles gave away two fifty metre penalties which took Hamish Blake to just short of the goal square, then Dale Larkin bundled Blake over as he was walking to the mark, which saw another fifty metre penalty imposed resulting in a goal. The umpire then recalled the ball and awarded a kick from the goal square.to Zac Stewart, which also resulted in a goal. The Tigers then kicked two more goals from their next two entries and all of a sudden it was a forty four point margin in favour of the Tigers.
Royal Park continued to dominate after half time with goals to Blake, Stewart and Brendan Birch putting the game well out of reach early in the third term.
Karson Guareschi was on the receiving end of a number of forward entries for Rovers but was having trouble converting, but he did manage to kick one truly from his four shots at goal.
The game was over at three quarter time and the last quarter was played out in blustery conditions, Guareschi scored two early goals, but Royal Park kicked away to win comfortably by 76 points, which is one point less than the winning margin of round one when they last met.
Trent Pye and Brandon Murdoch provided plenty of run and carry for the Tigers as did Brendan Birch who also used his run to advantage around the goal mouth finishing with five goals. Jimmy Shelton continued with his great defensive play and repelled many of Rovers attacking moves as did Matthew Walker.
Brad Fraser and Perry Turner were in the play a lot for Rovers as the ball was in their defensive area for a lot of the game, while David Popovski and Scott Sellers also gathered a number of possessions, but it was Royal Park that won the battle of the Maryborough teams and were never troubled.
Royal Park 17.19.121 to Maryborough Rovers 6.9.45
Last Modified on 18/08/2014 12:50