BRAUMAN’S BLITZ
GUN Bannockburn midfielder Jack Brauman took command of a permanent forward role on the weekend and his individual performance was the highlight of the round.
He kicked eight goals after quarter time against a quality team in Thomson and was a pleasure to watch live, underlining the exciting all-round talent the young man possesses.
Brauman was able to use his strength to control his position in marking contests, win the ball at ground level with his attack on the footy and kick well on both sides of his body.
He regularly tells coach Peter Riccardi that he would like to spend more time closer to goal, but is also aware of his status in the team as the premier onballer.
The Tigers are the hunted team in 2021 and their strong performance at the weekend will only increase that.
Brauman will now draw more attention in opposition pre-match preparation, as a deeper midfield will allow Bannockburn to let him off the chain more often.
INJURIES BITING HARD
THE injury curse has struck Winchelsea early this season and its 18-goal to nil second-half fade out against North Geelong highlighted the depth of the problem.
Coach Brendan Forssman was philosophical about the circumstances but did not make excuses nor sought sympathy.
An analysis of its list shows eight of its best starting line-up — plus Alex Gubbins out for the season — not even making it to the starting line on Saturday.
Only 16 fully fit players managed to get past halftime.
Forssman was delighted with the first-half output from his group.
Heading into the main break Winchelsea was only one point behind.
“I was really proud of the boys on Saturday, as I was the week before against Bannockburn” Forssman (above) said.
“We have found some positives during this period, with players who would have been playing seconds with a full list really standing up for us.
“We have some cavalry due back over the next few weeks, so the medium term is really positive for us. “We have started the last two seasons really strongly, but faded when injuries hit us late.
“This year we hope all the bad luck is over early and we finish with our tails up.”
The pack of finals candidates has already opened a gap on the Blues and their poor percentage adds to the problem.
Most weeks they will face an eight-point game to keep in touch, but Forssman was upbeat about the quality of his charges and their finals chances.
PARKER NETS MILESTONE
THE term “legend” is thrown around loosely at times but there is no argument about it being attached to North Geelong netballer Kelly Parker.
Parker’s 350-game milestone was reached on the weekend and the accolades have come thick and fast from within the club and from the broader GDFNL community.
She has premiership medals in three grades, two league best-and-fairest awards, multiple club best-and-fairest trophies, and numerous other club achievements.
Parker has been recognised with life membership of both her club and the GDFNL.
The 19 years of junior coaching also shows Parker’s incredible giving nature and confirms her love of the famous North Geelong Magpies.
The GDFNL salutes a champion player and a much loved and respected teammate and opponent.