GIPPSLAND fell short by 17 points in its opening game of over 47s superules football against Glen Orden played in Traralgon at the weekend.
In a slow start the Tigers scored only three behind to the oppositions’ three goals, but after that the Tigers found their feet and kicked a couple of goals through Mal Hurrell, who ended the game with four majors.
He was well fed by new players Trevor Nelson and Joe Schembre who ran all game.
Glen Orden’s talls were slowed down by Mark Callow and John Cameron who did a great job in the back line.
New player John Cassa was used across a variety of positions across the fround.
Dan Shaw and Tim Allen moved into the forward line and found results straight away by assisting in a couple of goals.
Final score
Glen Orden 9.10 (64)
Gippsland 7.5 (47)
Best players: Nelson, Schembre, Cassa, Hurrell, Allen, Callow.
Over 35s
Gippsland went down to a better side on the day, despite playing a terrific game against Sunbury at Traralgon Recreation Reserve.
The Tigers started off well kicking the first two goals and held Sunbury for the rest of the quarter.
Sunbury came out firing in the second quarter with five goals to one.
Stuart Passalaqua found himself with a volley of kicks coming down to the backline and did a great job of defending.
Darren Canning was welcomed to the side for his first game by finding himself in the ruck with Grant Nichols.
Both played well against an opposition ruckman who has made the all-Australian team a couple of times.
Towards the end of the game the injuries started to mount and the Tigers were left with no-one on the bench.
Royce Francz stood up on the half-back line marking everything coming his way.
Another first gamer Matt Addison had plenty of touches on the wing.
Wayne Hicks kicked three goals despite playing with a pulled hamstring.
Final score
Sunbury 12.10 (80)
Gippsland 9.5 (59)
Best players: Nichols, Canning, Hicks, Royce Francz, Matt Giersch, Grant Musgrove, Dean Francz.
