Bloods completely outclassed
Trafalgar were completely outclassed in their clash with Yallourn-Yallourn North, losing 4-6-30 to 20-17-137.
With their season on the line, it was absolutely crucial that the Bloods put up some sort of semblance of their 2018 premiership form if they were to be any chance of overcoming the unbeaten Bombers on their home ground.
Yallourn-Yallourn North had taken all before them in workmanlike fashion this season, and their round eight clash with last year’s premiers was a chance for them to send the home side back to a pack of teams fighting for a finals chance rather than one still looking for a position in the top three.
It may not have been obvious at quarter time that the Bombers were going to give the Bloods a footballing lesson, given the margin was just three goals, but no footballing supporter could have predicted what was to come.
The visitors embarrassed the home side, winning almost every position on the ground and sharing, assisting contributing as required for the benefit of the team.
Bombers coach Barrie Burnett “it was really similar to last week, we got the game on our terms and got contributions from everyone, great team effort which was the most pleasing part”
That team effort resulted in a 42 point lead at half time that was extended to 75 at the final break, before finishing the match ahead by 107 points.
What is incredible, is that the reigning premiers, who suffered just a single loss in 2018, have fallen to the depths of such a devastating loss in less than 12 months.
The two key Yallourn forwards of Keenan Hughes and Dean MacDonald slotted 11 goals between them, six and five respectively and both named as the better players on the day.
What looms now is the mouth watering clash of Yallourn-Yallourn North and Mirboo North, both sides unbeaten as we hit the half way mark of the season.
The winner is likely to be a clear favourite for the 2019 MGFL premiership.
Morwell East v Newborough
Morwell East bounced back to form with a comfortable 68 point victory over Newborough, winning 15-18-108 to 5-10-40.
The Hawks had suffered two defeats in succession over the past fortnight, last week’s 13 goal drubbing at the hands of YallournYallourn North in particular, capable of hurting the finals aspirant far longer than just that Saturday afternoon, their clash with Newborough was to be a good indicator of whether they had learnt from that devastating loss and moved on, or if its effects had lingered around the minds of players until the weekend gone.
Those questions were answered very quickly, when the Hawks shot out to a four goal lead at quarter time in front of an enthusiastic crowd.
That effort in the first 30 minutes, replicated in the next three, only conversion in the second quarter a problem, when fifteen opportunities produced just three goals.
Morwell East coach Devon Soutar said “we were very strong in the first half, all our indicators were positive and the opportunity to display consistency was mentioned at the main break, unfortunately we didn’t and all focus areas went out the door, this has to stop”
The Bulldogs beaten in almost every position on the field, and adding insult to injury, was that the visitors had no bench to work with late in the match.
Devon was complimentary of his opponents - “they are young, but gave great effort and controlled big periods of the third quarter, they will get better quickly if the kids keep buying in.”
The Bulldogs’ younger players are continuing to learn each week and Caldow remains confident they will develop and have plenty of opportunities in the weeks ahead, one of those will be against Trafalgar this weekend.
For Morwell East, each round remains important as a top three position is on offer, but their still appears to be at least five sides looking for one of those three spots, unbeaten Yallourn-Yallourn North and Mirboo North best placed to take two, the Hawks, Hill End and Yinnar fighting for the other.
Boolarra v Yinnar
Yinnar flexed their muscle and accounted for Boolarra comfortably courtesy of a devastating second quarter, winning 19-13-127 to 66-42.
The Demons had shown they are capable of a fast 30 minutes of football against any side, with coach Tony Giardina slowly conditioning his boys to give more for longer so as to have them in a position for a win deeper into games.
Coming off their second victory of the season over Newborough and now performing back on their home ground, it was hoped they could make it two in a row, for the first time in a long time, and against quality opposition in Yinnar.
Early, the Demons indicated they were up for the fight trailing by two goals at quarter time, but matching it with the visitors in most areas of the game.
Boolarra coach Tony Giardina said “the boys started the game well, matching it with Yinnar, in the second quarter our pressure was poor and they made us pay, our second half was better but the game was gone, inexperience and lighter framed bodies is showing”
The eight goal second quarter highlighted by Giardina cut deep, the Magpies extending their lead to 56 points and putting the game well and truly our of reach.
Matt Coutts for Yinnar was at his best with eight goals of his sides nineteen, with another half dozen players also hitting the scoreboard, its that sort of sharing of the load that coach Kane Grinstead Jones has been looking for.
If Yinnar start to put it together on a regular basis, it will make quite a number of teams nervous, given last years grand finalists are already in the mix for finals.
Thorpdale v Hill End
Hill End continued their sparkling 2019 form by showing no mercy to an undermanned Thorpdale team 22-26-158 to 8-1-49.
With a week’s break, and the side reasonably well placed, Hill End arrived at the Blues home ground confidant that this would be their fourth win of the season, and it would have them one step closer to not only securour ing a spot in the top five, but the chance in fact of claiming a position in the top three could also be a possibility.
It may not have been as easy as expected for the Rovers, the home side doing what they have done for most of the year, throwing all they had at their opponents.
Hill End held a three goal lead at quarter time, but it was a lead they had to fight hard for, it was only midway through the second quarter that the visitors started to control the match, and they did it in fine fashion, forty eight scoring shots, resulting in 20 goals ample evidence of the control the Rovers had.
Hill End coach Mike Santo said “inaccurate kicking in front of goal was disappointing, the way we used ball movement to create those scoring opportunities was incredibly pleasing.”
Thorpdale coach Ray Pickering said “we didn’t show up, we lacked our pressure and aggression from previous weeks letting the opposition just stroll through the game”
Many have underestimated the improvement of Hill End, until they actually confront them, and that’s when it’s very clear they are a genuine contender this year.
The Rovers are finding plenty of avenues to goal, nine separate goal kickers on the weekend, ample evidence of that, but it’s also the work done in the back half of the field and through the middle that would be most pleasing for coach Mike Santo.