Charlie’s Districts’ darling

AN eight-goal opening quarter and a massive defensive shift from Charlie McAdam saw Southern Districts race away to win 16.10 (106) to 5.3 (33) over Palmerston Magpies at Norbuilt Oval yesterday.

The Crocs brought intensity right from the start, wanting to make amends for last round’s loss to St Mary’s, and so it was with excitement that the side got around captain Dean Staunton as he nailed the opening goal.

Jonathan Farrar scored soon after, and then the floodgates opened as Districts took advantage of the heat to take the game away from Palmerston before it had really begun.

McAdam enjoyed a move back to the backline and held up the defensive end for the Crocs, keeping opportunities for their foes to a minimum.

Palmerston’s Nigel Lockyer Jr looked threatening when able to attack, and would have felt unlucky missing his side’s first opportunity with the ball bouncing away from him, but he would make up for that soon after to seal the Magpies’ opener.

But it was still all Districts, with Jay Dahlhaus emerging as a threat as the game wore on, alongside Jonathon Ross, who scored four from the forward line.

Goals thinned out as the rain kicked in, giving some form of parity between the two sides.

But McAdam continued to hold up the defensive end against the Palmerston forward line.

“We were disappointed with last week’s result so we wanted to bounce back and put a big emphasis on scoreboard pressure,” McAdam told the Sunday Territorian.

“The start was really crucial for us, and was something we knew we had to improve on, and we definitely executed on what we wanted to there.

“We did the work early, which helped once the rain came, and getting that fourquarter game is something we need to focus on week after week.

“I’ve been on the wing the past couple of weeks so it was good to get back in the backline.

“I just like to help out the boys and play my role.

“I’m one of the older guys now, so it’s good to guide the younger guys around and just make sure everyone is getting up to play that four-quarter effort.”

Usual performers from Palmerston Eric Guthrie and Matt Dennis fronted up, while youngster Ryan Warfe had a strong showing, but no individual performance was enough to get within touching distance on the scoreboard.

DISTRICTS 8.2 13.3 14.5 16.10 (106)

PALMERSTON 2.1 3.2 4.3 5.3 (33)

GOALS

Districts: J Ross 4 A Boseley 2 B Vallance 2 M McLinden D Staunton M Bowden L Kiel J Farrar B Rolfe J Tsitas J Dahlhaus

Palmerston: T Kurnoth 2 R Armstrong N Lockyer Jr C Williams

Districts: C McAdam J Dahlhaus J Clark J Farrer D Staunton

Palmerston: E Guthrie M Dennis N Lockyer Jr R Warfe C Williams