Cats claw Bombers
Neerim Neerim South v Nilma Darnum Nilma Darnum has lamented a slow start as Neerim Neerim South accounted for the Bombers 20.14 (134) to 9.9 (63).
The Cats made sure they were the ones to attack early, using plenty of run and carry from the backline, led by Tom Muir, to put immediate pressure on the Nilma-Darnum defenders.
The midfield brigade were on top early and able to win the ball inside at the stoppages, giving the Cats the best opportunity to move forward under minimal pressure, with the likes of Kody Wilson again the catalyst.
Coach Brent Mounsey said his side wanted to play to their strengths and thought they did that well.
“We came in with a game plan on how we wanted to execute our own game style, focusing on attack and ball movement which was great to see develop,” he said.
Tyssen Morrow was strong on the forward line, as was Chris Urie, the duo causing headaches all afternoon for the Bombers’ defenders.
Mounsey also praised the work of his backline duo Chris Charles and Tim Beaurain as well as the work of Tom Muir across the halfback line.
“Our backline was fantastic, with Tim and Chris doing jobs on Nilma Darnum’s key forwards, with Muir setting up multiple attacks,” he said.
The start ensured Neerim never looked back, eventually running out 71-point winners, Morrow finishing with four goals, Urie three, Isaac Fuller three, Clancy Cooper two and
Tom Crole two.
Fuller played arguably his best game in the blue and white hoops to be best on ground, while Wilson, Muir, Morrow and Josh White were also exceptional for the Cats who are knocking on the door of the top four.
Nilma Darnum showed some fight, but coach Matt Shorey said they were jumped at the start and weren’t able to recover.
“I think the issue is that we find we wait for teams and feel them out a bit, we can’t do that, the jump there killed us,” Shorey said.
Their backline faced some pressure they hadn’t seen yet this season, with Crole, Urie and Morrow working well together to confuse the Bombers defensive structure.
“It was a flat day, but there were patches that give us hope, it’s one of those learning ones and playing sides like Neerim who are a good outfit, you can’t start like that,” Shorey said.
Briggs booted two after moving into the forward line, while Clay Ketchen also kicked two majors, as did ruckman Nick Carrigy.
Co-captain Nick Murray went back for the match and held his own to be named best on ground, while Tanner Thomsen who had the match up on Wilson was also good for the Bombers.
Jeremy Jarrod, Nick Carrigy, Dylan Cann and Dylan Briggs were also fantastic on the day.
Neerim Neerim South will return home for the first time in almost 18 months as they unveil their newly redeveloped ground against Poowong in what should be a brilliant game between two good sides. Nilma Darnum will have to pick themselves up and go again as they travel to face the in-form Trafalgar.