Wanderers pile on the pain for waterlogged Pies

at Northline Oval PALMERSTON have slumped to their eighth straight loss, going down to Wanderers in atrocious conditions at Northline Oval.

Despite the return of Davey brothers Alwyn, Aaron and Russell, the Pies were never in front and didn’t really challenge the Muk Muks at any stage of the game.

It was the first time the three had played together since junior footy.

Two goals each to Joshua Jukes and Alwyn Davey, and only two behinds scored all game were the only highlights for the Pies, who were outclassed by the highflying Eagles.

The first quarter was played in dry conditions, but scrappy mistakes through the ruck by the Eagles spared the Pies from an embarrassing quarter-time score, trailing by just seven points.

But it was as the teams were in the huddles at quarter time the rain began, and didn’t really stop.

Immediately, ball control became paramount as the wet conditions proved marking and bouncing a challenge.

Despite this, the Wanderers were able to stretch their lead, going into the main break with a 17-point lead.

With more storm clouds building, both sides came out of the blocks hard early in the third quarter.

As the storm hit, handling skills once again dropped as players slipped and slid around Northline Oval.

The Muk Muks missed several shots in front of goal and the chance to run away with the game, kicking three goals apiece, but with an extra three behinds to the Eagles.

In the final term, which was almost a total wipeout, the Pies added just two points to their three- quarter- time score, while the Eagles slid two between the big sticks to win by 30 points. Wanderers coach Paul Motlop said his boys still have more to go.

‘‘ We still haven’t played good footy yet I don’t think we handled the conditions well at all,’’ he said.

‘‘There’s not a lot you can gain, but in that sense it’s just down to how well your boys do, how well they get the basics right, and that they work hard. In the end, we did a bit better than Palmo, but I don’t think we played as well as we could have.’’