Talented Turner’s fruitful return
Tiger boots four goals
Hermit Park denied arch rival Curra to end the Swans’ Anzac Round winning streak at two, while Thuringowa’s midfield marched all over the Suns.
Here’s what we’re talking about after round 5.
WELCOME BACK MCKYE
Mckye Turner’s first competition appearance for Hermit Park since last year’s grand final ended in four goals in a welcome return to football.
Turner was injured in that loss to Thuringowa and has been managing his fitness since.
After missing Hermit Park’s first three games of the season, Turner returned for Anzac Rd.
“It was really good to have Mckye back,” coach Max Tink said. “He played in our preseason carnival but he pulled up a little bit sore from that so we didn’t want to rush him back until he was ready to go and fit.”
There were no highlight-reel kicks among his four goals but the balance Turner added to the forward pocket contributed to an 86 (13.6) to 45 (6.9) win for the Tigers.
JUST KICK STRAIGHT
There was no coaching wizardry in the halftime sheds as Hermit Park shook off a goalless second quarter to boot six in the third. The 36-point quarter sealed a 41-point win.
Tink claimed no credit for the turnaround.
“A lot of things were working really well for us but we just weren’t finishing our good work in front of goal,” he said.
“We went from five behinds in the second quarter to six goals in the third but not much changed, in terms of what we were doing. We missed a couple of goals into the breeze that we should have kicked (in the second) but I was satisfied with five scoring shots.”
HOLLER FOR A MARSHALL
Dominic Marshall booted five goals for Thuringowa in just his third appearance for the Bulldogs.
Marshall injured a knee after his debut game last year but has returned to form with six goals in two games.
Dan Murtha and Callan Hobbs kicked four apiece.
OLD DOGS, NEW TRICKS
An unavailability crisis against the reigning champions forced Northern Beaches to call up veteran Nathan Wescombe into the forward pocket.
Eight first-choice Suns were unable to take the field against the Bulldogs, which contributed to the 129 (19.15) to 14 (2.2) scoreline.
Now in his 30s, secondgrader Wescombe was the Suns’ player of the day.
Coach Ross Henningsen rated his banana kick in traffic as the finest goal the Suns had kicked this season.
“He has a wealth of experience but showed he has the capability to be a first-class first grader,” Henningsen said.
“He has been on the list for a recall (to first grade) all season but guys in their mid-30s are here for enjoyment.
He’s a player I would love to have in the starting 22 but I respect his wishes and where he feels comfortable.”