Industrials experiment for finals
Entering its match against Warragul Industrials with nothing to lose, NilmaDarnum descended on Western Park hoping for a big scalp in their efforts to create some momentum heading into the 2019 Ellinbank District Football League season.
Having acknowledged the need to improve in several areas following a challenging season resulting in just four wins, Bombers coach Matt Shorey would have relished the opportunity to measure where his side was at in a clash against finals bound Warragul Industrials.
While the Industrials were clearly experimenting somewhat with their place in the top three assured, the Bombers were competitive for the most part and were far from disgraced in going down, 12-10 (82) to 8-3 (51).
While no doubt disappointed to not take the big scalp they had been craving, the result gives the Bombers something to build on for next season.
Josh Peterson started forward for the Industrials and was quick to make an impact, sharing the ball with Mitch Davies to set up a goal assisted by a 50 metre penalty for an infringement in the marking contest.
Shane Brewster and Tyson Bale waxed, with Brewster this time the beneficiary of a 50 metre penalty for an encroachment of the mark.
Brent Simons found Mitchell Dance in space as the Bombers kept in touch through the first of his six majors for the afternoon.
Tom Commadeur scrambled a goal despite being tackled in the goal square, much to the delight of the Industrials supporters, as the home team entered quarter time with a 14point advantage.
The Bombers had been hanging in and the theme continued into the second quarter.
It was quite some time before Will Jolley ran into the open goal to register the Industrials’ fourth.
Will Gibson, who was also enjoying predominantly playing forward, snuck in a set shot from centre half forward to put the Industrials 26 points up at the long break.
The Bombers had been competitive, but just weren’t able to show it on the scoreboard.
The competitive nature of the contest continued in the second half, the Industrials scoring seven goals to six while finding out a lot about their players ability to play multiple positions in a valuable lesson ahead of the finals.
With Peterson swung forward and proving equally as damaging with his left foot, Shane Ingham had ventured to defence and proved diligent, with a second quarter spoil put in the path of Tye Holland and setting the Industrials up for a goal.
Brewster was rewarded for some good follow up work and finished with four goals.
Travis Ogden stepped up when afforded more opportunity, while Cooper Minichiello, Dylan Smith, Tyson Bale and Stephen Ballingall also set up opportunities.
Ben Campbell, Dance, Nicholas Murray, Nathan Campbell, Logan Deschepper and Dylan Cann led a competitive effort from the Bombers.