Bombers emerge as early favourites
On a perfect deck, Yallourn-Yallourn North honoured their playing coach in his 300th senior game and also had their chance to shine and shine they did, easily accounting for Boolarra 23-16-154 to 2-1-13
Just when you thought it might not get any worse for Boolarra, along came the YallournYallourn North side.
The Bombers were in no mood for games as they took to the Demons, showing no mercy on their way to a devastating 141 point win.
Demons coach Tony Giardina, matter of fact about the result “boys are having a go with no reward, we played a pretty polished side”
A seven goal lead at quarter time, was extended to 10 by the major break.
It was in the third quarter that the Bombers put together their best, adding another eight goals, they were coming from a variety of options, not confined to the two pronged attack of Keenan Hughes or Dean MacDonald, even though both contributed, but their was a handful of others, all with multiple goals a sign that the Bombers are playing team football, when they could be forgiven for considering being selfish in front of the big sticks.
Twenty four scoring shots in the second half at an accuracy of only fifty per cent, given their first half was so good, might have saved the Demons from a far greater defeat, but in the end, the result was what was expected anyway.
Yallourn Yallourn North now face a far greater test next week, when they host Morwell East, a more accomplished side, that will be desperate to rebound from a loss of their own.
Bombers coach Barrie Burnett said the “boys played well, very much a team effort, we ran out the game well …the next few games will be the test that we have been looking forward to”
Yallourn-Yallourn North will accept nothing less than a premiership this season, and at this early stage of the year, indications are they will get their chance.
Mirboo North v Morwell East It was tipped to be the match of the round, and neither side disappointed, giving their all, with the Tigers finally getting the win 6-14-50 to 6-5-41.
This was always going to be an intriguing contest between two previously undefeated sides, both, hoping to further their credentials and also their standing, in the MGFL competition.
The margin of three points, one point, four and a final margin of just nine, a fair indication of the closeness of the contest for most of the day.
The home side did have many more opportunities in front of goal, but in any match, bad kicking is bad football and it could have proved costly on any other day.
Mirboo North coach Josh Taylor “it was a tough game of footy, both sides had really good pressure and it was played between the 50 metre arcs, we knew it was going to be a scrap, we just had to get our noses in front.
Hawks coach Devon Soutar said “we took another step forward, we now know our method stacks up against the best sides and belief builds confidence”
It is anticipated that it might get busy between the third and sixth spots later in the year, so every result is crucial, both of these sides are expected to play a part later in the year but will also need to find improvement.
Josh Taylor said “we were down by eight points with ten minutes to go, to fight back and get the chocolates was great, we have a handful of teenagers who would have learnt a lot and also improve”
The Tigers have been good, in fact close to perfect in their opening six rounds, their unbeaten record testimony to that, the x factor is their fitness and that has been bobbing its head up late in games as the Hawks coach conceded.
The Tigers, so often the hunters after slow starts to seasons will become the hunted in the back of this year, and that will be yet another test for them.
Thorpdale v Newborough Finally the Bulldogs have wrapped their jaws around victory and tasted success with a confidence building nine point win over Thorpdale, 14-12-96 to 13-9-87.
This was a crucial game for both clubs, a win assisting in securing “buy-in” from the players after what had been a tough year, even so early in the season.
It’s a big ask for coaches to make demands of players, when it is obvious so early they won’t be a part of what you play footy for, and that’s to play in finals.
The Bulldogs off to a flyer, with their accuracy in the first quarter a feature and a reason for their healthy 16 point lead.
Newborough coach Dean Caldow said “it was a really good win with three teenagers in the side and playing their first senior game and it will do a lot for their confidence and team morale”
Take nothing away from Thorpdale, the Blues did like they did in their opening round against Boolarra, did whatever they could to stay in the contest. Thorpdale Coach Ray Pickering said “it’s an extremely tough result to take, I’m absolutely gutted for the boys, a couple of five or 10 minute lapses probably cost us the game in the end, but I can’t knock the boys effort and endeavour, four points is just around the corner.”
For Newborough, a win was a win and it didn’t matter how they got it, they just needed it, but it could have been a different story, such was the closeness of the contest.
Caldow said “we got out of jail, we were in front at every change and at times got out to a four or five goal lead and looked like running away with it, but we did our best to keep them in the game with some basic turnovers, Joel Mitchell was a standout up forward.”
Newborough, will be hoping to make it two in a row when they host Boolarra next week, in a clash that either side is capable of winning
Hill End v Yinnar In perfect conditions, Hill End shot out of the blocks and shrugged off the challenges of Yinnar to register an impressive victory 11-20-86 to 6-1551.
Supporters of both of these clubs would have had some apprehension about their side heading into this round six match.
The Rovers ‘win over reigning premiers Trafalgar earlier in the year followed by the narrowest of losses to Yallourn-Yallourn North has many wondering whether this could be their year to make a finals appearance, equally, those that are close to Yinnar were unsure just where there side my sit in 2019, after been given an old fashioned flogging by Mirboo North just a few weeks ago, something that hadn’t been seen at Magpie land for a long time.
The Rovers got off to an impressive start, their skills under pressure, first class, the Magpies rebound from the back half equally as good.
In seasons gone by, Hill End might have buckled, but their first thirty minutes indicated they were ready for the fight. A nine point margin at quarter time, courtesy of a goal after the siren was just reward for a solid start.
Hill End coach Mike Santo said “we dominated the play even though we were losing the clearances without ruck sensation Calvin Rees.”
Hill End continued their dominance in the second quarter, but inaccuracy was causing them all sorts of problems, in fact better conversion may well have had the visitors killed off by half time, a 25 point lead could easily have been much more.
“We maintained the pressure and racked up opportunities but were sloppy in front of goal, Yinnar are a class outfit and came back hard in the third quarter, but our belief in the group to not only win but put the foot down in the fourth quarter was super pleasing,” Santo said.
It was pleasing to watch as well, the ball use at times usually seen at a Gippsland Latrobe game, the Rovers playing with a confidence and freedom that the coach needs to take credit for.
Hill End are on the move and with Thorpdale and Boolarra in the next fortnight, they might well have five wins under their belt as they turn at the half way mark of the season.