MCDFNL Match Reviews – Round 13
Carisbrook v Natte Bealiba
Carisbrook has clawed its way to an 18-point victory over Natte Bealiba in round 13 of the MCDFNL.
It took three last quarter goals from the explosive Matthew Bilton to drag the Redbacks over the line, 10.10 (70) to 8.4 (52), against a Swans side determined to showcase its premiership credentials.
In slightly boggy conditions at Carisbrook's home ground, the Redbacks and the Swans slugged it out for four quarters in a stoppage-filled, scrappy affair, which saw Natte lead for much of the day.
Carisbrook were off target in the first quarter, booting 1.5 to Natte's 1.1, leaving the door open for the Swans to make an impact, and they did just that in the second term. Sparked by classy midfielder Ash Evans, Natte proved superior at breaking away from the congestion to boot five second term goals to Carisbrook's three, giving the Swans a nine-point lead at the main break.
The Swans picked up where they left off in the third term, keeping Carisbrook's forwards to just one goal for the term, while also booting three of their own to establish a 16-point buffer at three quarter time.
It wasn't to be however, with Carisbrook coach Tim McKay sending Bilton, who had been kept quiet for much of the day by Natte's Jacob Long, deep into attack, where he used his explosive pace and strength to boot three of Carisbrook's five final quarter goals, while Natte couldn't even manage a single behind for the quarter, with their energy sapped by the efforts of the previous three quarters.
Along with Bilton's three crucial goals, Luke Treacy, Travis Cornwall, and Adam Hurse all booted two goals. Hurse, who was ultra impressive at centre half-forward for the Redbacks, was named Carisbrook's best player, along with young midfielders Mitchell Whelan, Lachlan Edwards and Riley Herd.
Evans was Natte's only multiple goal kicker, with two majors to his name alongside his best afield honours. Other solid contributors for the Swans included Tom Douglas, Long and Adrian Pilgrim.
Harcourt v Navarre
Harcourt has felt the full wrath of Navarre's goal kicking firepower, with the Grasshoppers mauling the Lions by 96 points on Saturday.
The Lions were helpless against the onslaught of goals, going down 24.8 (152) to 8.8 (56), and becoming the 34th straight victim of a seemingly unstoppable Navarre.
The game was essentially over in the opening term, as the Grasshoppers piled on seven goals, with the Lions able to find the big sticks just once for the term. Navarre furthered its lead in the second term, booting another five goals to Harcourt's two. The third term yielded a similar result, with another six Navarre goals to Harcourt's one stretching the lead to 83 points at the final break. Another six goal term for the Grasshoppers further expanded their lead on the game, as well as their grip on the competition's top place.
Cody Driscoll continued his good season in front of goal for Navrre with seven majors, while Ash Driscoll booted five, Ben Scott snared four and Nick Murphy and Josh Driscoll both notched up two goals each. Cody Driscoll, Lachlan Slorach, Ben Scott and Harley McKenney were Navarre's best performers.
Joel Smith and Adam Ward were Harcourt's only multiple goal kickers with two apiece, Josh Collinson, Jeff McMurtrie, Smith and Ward were named Harcourt's best in a dirty day for the Lions.
Lexton v Trentham
Lexton has returned to third rung on the MCDFNL ladder, with the Tigers overcoming a determined Trentham to record a 29-point victory.
A week after slipping to fourth place behind Natte, Lexton was straight back into third position courtesy of their 12.13 (85) to 8.6 (54) win over Trentham.
The Tigers didn't have everything their own way however, with the Saints making them work for every goal, beginning in the first quarter, which saw Lexton enter the first break just one goal ahead of their plucky opponents, 3.1 (19) to 2.1 (13). It was a similar story at the half-time break, with a potential upset looming as Trentham took a two point lead into the main break, 4.4 (28) to 4.2 (26). The Tigers responded to a spirited address from coach Shane Fisher at half time however, breaking the game open with a seven goals to one third term, establishing a 39 point gap between the two sides at three quarter time. The Saints surged again in the final term however, booting three goals to Lexton's one, but the difference between the two teams was too great, with the Tigers snaring a hard-fought victory at the final siren.
Matthew Brown, as usual, lead the scoring for Lexton with four goals, backed up with three majors from Damon Aspland. Bryce Karslake, Justin White, Trevor Johnson and Mitch Kennedy were named as the Tigers' best.
Mark Strickland and Josh Murphy both booted two goals for Trentham, while Brendan James, James Gray, Mark Strickland and Chris Whelan were Trentham's best.
Avoca v Campbells Creek
Campbells Creek have kept its finals hopes alive with a come from behind victory over Avoca at the Avoca Public Park on Saturday.
Creek stormed home over the top of the Bulldogs with a blistering seven goals in the final term to run out winners by 17 points.
Creek had the upper hand in the first half and took a fourteen point lead into the main break, but it was an inspired Bulldogs team that scored six goals to two in the third term and were looking like they were going to run away with the game as they led by ten points at three quarter time.
But Creek answered the challenge that was put before them and finished the game stronger than the Bulldogs and as a result have moved into seventh position on the ladder courtesy of Newstead downing Maryborough Rovers.
Rovers loss has also left the door ajar for Avoca to still have a chance of making the top eight.
The Ashmore brothers played a key role in Campbell Creek’s victory kicking eight goals between them. Mark Ashmore kicked five goals and Luke Ashmore kicked three goals, while the better players were Matt Halacas, Brandon Greenwood, Tim Conder and Daniel Klimeck.
The Bulldogs better players were Rangi Vickers, Bryce Howell, Cameron Holland and Daniel Howell, while Xavier Slater was the only multiple goal scorer amongst the ten players that goaled for the Bulldogs.
Campbells Creek 13.9.87 def Avoca 11.4.70
Talbot v Dunolly
Talbot were untroubled by Dunolly at Talbot Recreation Reserve on Saturday, keeping their finals hopes alive as they restricted the Eagles to just two goals for the game to win by 82 points.
Dunolly did fight the game out to the end and managed to restrict Talbot to just two final quarter goals, but the game was well and truly over by three quarter time.
Tim Carroll has proved to be a handy recruit for the Hawks this season and was once again judged to be the best player for the second week in succession. Robert Conroy was another to shine for Talbot as was Trent Barras and Brendon Shine, while Tom Sutherland was the main avenue to goal with three goals for the game.
Grant Raven, Jamie Townsend and Justin Laird all tried hard for the Eagles with Laird scoring both of the Eagles goals.
Talbot 14.16.100 def Dunolly 2.6.19
Royal Park v Maldon
Royal Park has defeated Maldon by a massive 160 points at Hedges Oval on Saturday, holding the Bombers to just one goal for the game and all but eliminating them from finals contention.
The Tigers were in sensational form all around the ground led by the running play of Jake Pring, Ben Clay and Trent Baird who all had the ball on a string. Pring was also devastating up forward finishing the game with five goals.
The Tigers defence was unpassable as Maldon had only four shots on goal for the game and it was only Jamie Cox that was able to score a major for the Bombers.
Josh Brown was back to his best in front of the big sticks and finished with six goals for the game while Pring scored five and Murray Bond and Zac Stewart posted three goals each amongst the Tigers ten different goal scorers.
Maldon was never in the game, but Vaughan Williams Josh Pascoe and Hayden Kelly continued to fight the game out to the end, as did Shaun Burchell, Dean Primmer and Damien Gatti who were all amongst the Bombers better players on the day.
Royal Park 15.19.169 def Maldon 1.3.9
Maryborough Rovers v Newstead
Newstead has upset Maryborough Rovers at Jubilee Oval on Saturday in what was a surprise result for everyone outside of the Newstead inner sanctum as they came out firing with a six goal to two opening quarter setting up their eventual twenty two point victory.
Rovers have now suffered their third loss in succession and with three very tough games to finish the season, their finals prospects are slipping as they currently cling onto eighth spot on the ladder
The Rovers did fight back in the second quarter to reduce the margin to just 12 points at half time, but Newstead again got the upper hand in the third quarter and managed to keep Rovers to just one goal, while scoring five goals themselves to set Rovers a very difficult task in the final term.
The home side gave it a good try with twelve scoring shots to three in the final quarter, but while Rovers had the majority of possession, Newstead’s three final quarter goals was enough to keep them in front by 22 points at the final siren.
Joel Smith and Michael Dalrymple have been in inspiring form of late and were again amongst Newstead’s better players as was Alex Maylor and Cameron Hepburn, while Jonty Entwistle had a day out down forward with four goals for the game.
Rovers David Popovski, Brendon Hedger and Chris Gunn were players to shine for Rovers and they were well supported by Dylan Gibson and Brayden Guareschi.
Newstead 16.7.103 def Rovers 11.15.81
Last Modified on 27/07/2015 14:15