Bloods defeat premiers
Trafalgar were super impressive in their comfortable victory over the reigning premiers 10-15 (75) to 2-8 (20).
This was always going to be the ideal test at the perfect time for both clubs.
Trafalgar were in desperate need of quality opposition to reaffirm their position as a top of the table side, while Mirboo North could use the match of the round contest to gauge their own standing against the competitions best.
The attack from both sides on player and ball was great to watch, the Bloods possession game didn’t immediately suit the conditions, while the Tigers moved the ball forward quickly, long and by whatever means they possibly could.
With both sides wanting to play the top side of the ground, there was the inevitable congested play, but the visitor’s full press forward had Mirboo North struggling to get the ball forward of centre and Ben Doran put the Bloods first major on the board.
It was “World Cup” like as all players were moving the ball predominately by feet and usually off the ground, apart from Daniel Hayes, who was a standout with his silky skills.
Mirboo north were attempting to go over the tight Trafalgar zone and hit the scoreboard themselves, their skills slowly improving.
In fact both sides should be praised for their ability to adapt to the conditions, Ben Stoertebecker goaling for the Tigers with the margin just two points in favour of the visitor at the first break.
Using the quarter time break to refocus his team Eisendel gave them instruction to “play ugly” if needed to regain the momentum of the match.
Doran claimed his second goal in the opening minutes of the second quarter as a bit of heat was starting to climb into the games, the demanding conditions were starting to frustrate players on both sides.
Moments after Traf’s Bryson Tullett left the ground with a hamstring injury, Doran got his third inside of half time, which was quickly followed by a terrific effort by Damien Mann whose run from defence was rewarded with a goal from 50 and some much needed breathing space for his top of the table team.
The Bloods leading by 22, at the major break.
With the home side kicking with the slightest of breezes, eating into the deficit was absolutely crucial during the third term.
The rain had stopped, but the intensity hadn’t, as both sides continued their attack on every contest.
When Tyson Leys marked strongly as he had done for most of the day, and found Jesse Stone who goaled, the lead had blown out to 27, and it was now sounding alarm bells for Mirboo North.
Impressively, Trafalgar continued to push, showing no mercy for the reigning premiers.
A melee involving almost 30 players broke out midway through the term, but it didn’t manage to distract what was turning into a very impressive team performance by Trafalgar, who had the game won, leading by better than eight goals at the end of a quarter that went for more than 32 minutes.
Best players for Trafalgar were Ben Doran, Tyson Leys, Jesse Stone, Lochlan Farrell, Darcy Brock, and Austin Byrne
A screamer by Lochlan Farrell was the highlight of the final thirty minutes and although the margin didn’t change to much, neither did the realisation that its going to take a very good side to beat Trafalgar at any time soon. Hill End v Newborough Newborough bounced back from the disappointment of last weeks drawn game by winning comfortably against Hill End 9-15 (69) to 5-8 (38).
As important as premiership points were, this contest was as much about personal pride, as it was about victory.
The Bulldogs were still coming to terms with their disappointing, maybe even devastating second half to Yarragon the week prior.
The visitor got off to a solid start at a venue that can always cause some problems, their seven scoring shots returning just two goals and a lead of eight points.
By the three quarter time break coach Tom Hallinan was confident his team had heeded his concerns of the week prior by playing a consistent game of football.
Hill End ‘s better players included L.iam Fitzpatrick, C.lay Ketchen, Ambu Uliando, Luke Mulqueen and Dillon Clark.
Yarragon v Yallourn-Yallourn North
Yallourn-Yallourn North did what most thought they would, by accounting for Yarragon 9-7 (61) to 4-5 (29).
Yarragon are on the way up, there is no question about that, but just what sort of time frame we might be looking at and what they might need before we see genuine success would be shown against one of the form sides of the competition in Yallourn-Yallourn North.
The Panthers opened the game as well as they could’ve, not actually bombarding the goals themselves, but at least keeping the visitors’ opportunities to a minimum and at the same time keeping themselves in the game.
But the Bombers don’t need much room to cause damage and the little space they had in the second quarter was enough to open the game up.
Yarragon lifted their efforts in the third quarter and impressively out scored the visitors, albeit by the single point.
For the Panthers Michael Whyte, Devin Pollock, Brad Wolfe, Tim Farthing, Paul Harvey and James Harvey were throwing everything into the game. Thorpdale v Boolarra It was Thorpdale in comfortable fashion 12-12 (84) to Boolarra 1-3 (9).
Every win is an important one, but for Thorpdale, an easy kill couldn’t have come at a better time.
The Blues really have not had the best of luck with injuries during season 2018, and every minute they can spend getting players back on the track and at the same time continue to gain premiership points is absolutely crucial.
With that in mind the home side put the game to bed early, their seven scoring shots on goal returning four goals and three behinds, and limiting Boolarra to the solitary goal.
Thorpdale added better than five goals in the second term and there were signs that the match might get ugly for the vistor.
The second half really didn’t reach any great heights, with only three goals scored, all by the home side.
At the end of the match Ed Greene had finished with four goals, Corey Nickels grabbed four also, Chris Redl three and Brad Atkinson just the one but all had done their part. Yinnar v Morwell East Yinnar did the job they had to do, to account for Morwell East, 14-9 (93) to 9-11 (65).
Yinnar made certain they were in the zone early and dictated the play almost from the first bounce.
The Magpies impressive in almost every area of the game, their 22-point lead at quarter time sucking the early confidence out of an enthusiastic Morwell East sidel