TIGERS BRING EAGLES DOWN
A SPIRITED come-frombehind performance from Colac has ended Newtown & Chilwell’s perfect start to the year.
Despite scraping across the line in a three-point thriller, Colac was inaccurate in front of goal, kicking 9.21 (75) to 11.6 (72) against the Eagles.
Colac co-coach Rowan McSparron said the conditions played a big part in the game.
“Sleeting rain and a strong wind made it a challenge for both teams,” McSparron said.
“If we had the numbers out and we were free, we tried to move the ball quickly, but at times it just wasn’t an option.
“Newtown & Chilwell has improved immensely, they’ve got some great young players and they’re on the right track.”
Trailing by a goal at the final break, the Tigers kicked 2.5 to the Eagles’ 1.2 to clinch a memorable victory and leave both sides with a 4-1 record.
Newtown & Chilwell coach Damien McMahon said it was “a hard-fought contest”.
“It was a game that was heavily affected by the conditions, but in saying that I thought we’d run away with it,” McMahon said. “They had the breeze in the last quarter but it was dropping off a fair bit and I thought we could hold on.
“There’s a lot of learnings to take out of the game, they’ve been a top-two side for the last five years and we matched it with them for most of the game.
“Our pressure made them be as inaccurate as they were, but we had chances late to win and didn’t convert.”
BELL PARK v SOUTH BARWON
SOUTH Barwon had 12 individual goalkickers as it made a statement with a 70point win over Bell Park. The Swans won 21.18 (144) to 11.8 (74) to hold on to fifth place on the ladder, with Daniel Semmens and Todd White two of their best players. Andrew Boseley, Jonty Broughton and Matt Caldow combined for nine majors with three apiece, while Todd White was best-on-ground. Lachie Patten kicked two majors and was the Dragons’ best, while Jack Fischer booted three.
LEOPOLD v NORTH SHORE
LEOPOLD stormed home to claim a 54-point victory against the rapidly improving Seagulls. North Shore’s Herschelle Carr kicked three and Sam Witherden was judged best-on-ground, but Leopold still ran away with a 19.16 (130) to 11.10 (76) win at home. The Lions are now only outside the top five on percentage.
ST ALBANS v GEELONG WEST
AN inaccurate Geelong West was still too strong for St Albans, claiming a comfortable 48-point win. The Giants kicked 9.16 (70) to the Supersaints’ 4.8 (32), with Geelong West’s midfield mix proving damaging, while Jacson Collins continued his stellar form with four goals. Jordan Lyons and Bailey Brogden were among the best for the Supersaints.
ST JOSEPH’S v LARA
CONDITIONS were a factor for St Joseph’s clash with Lara, with Joeys saluting by 20 points in a wet and windy contest at Drew Reserve. St Joseph’s kicked 8.22 (70), while Lara slotted 7.8 (50) in a game that keeps Joeys in the top four and leaves Lara winless. James Gow and Alex Hickey led the way for the home side, while Ben O’Brien and Jayson Tomicic were the Cats’ best.
ST MARY’S v GROVEDALE
ST Mary’s had its secondmost scoring shots for the season in a 76-point win over Grovedale. The Saints had a whopping 40 shots, but were wayward in front of goal, kicking 16.24 (120) to 5.14 (44). Pat Dowling kicked three goals, while Nick Nott and Max Augerinos were St
Mary’s best. Jak Tute was the best contributor for the Tigers.