TOM HAYES
FOOTBALL
NORTH GIPPSLAND
By TOM HAYES
BOY, it was an eventful week in the North Gippsland Football-Netball League, as the weekend was filled with highly-anticipated clashes, tight finishes and ex-AFL royalty.
THE most exciting thing to happen over the weekend was the appearance of ex-Collingwood player Dane Swan at Gormandale.
Perhaps a fairy tale match-up, the Tigers would host Heyfield, who is of course coached by none other than Swan’s 2010 premiership teammate Leigh Brown.
Alongside Swan was the cousin of Essendon’s Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Adam Tipungwuti, who made a name for himself at the Tiwi Bombers in the Northern Territory and played VFL for the Kangaroos.
Gormandale kept close in the first quarter, going into the first break a goal down, but Heyfield continued to track progressively, taking a three-goal lead into half time.
Down, but definitely not out, Gormandale continued to give it their all with the help of Swan and Tipungwuti, but the lead grew to 41 points by three-quarter-time.
A 3.4 (22) to 1.5 (11) final term allowed Heyfield to claim a 53-point win away from home, 15.17 (107) to 6.19 (55).
For the winners, Kodie and Brayden Woodland, Bailey Escreet, Tyson Graham, Mitchell Bennett and Kyle Graham stood out.
Within Gormandale’s best was Luke Farry, Tristan Salerno, Tipungwuti – who kicked two goals – Jet Krimhand, Nicholas Millington and Kodie Owen.
Hopefully Swan and Tipungwuti were able to pass on some words of wisdom to the Tigers, and give them the boost they need for the rest of season 2023.
Following their battle, Swan and Ricky Nixon hosted a sportsman night at the Boneyard, as a healthy crowd watched on in the function rooms.
CHURCHILL got over the line away from home against the reigning premier, Yallourn Yallourn North.
An enticing back-and-forth battle saw the lead swing several times before the final term, where it was one-way traffic for the visitors.
The Jets got the jump on the Cougars in the opening term, kicking 4.3 (27) to 2.1 (13), making the most of that home ground advantage.
Churchill bit back and cut the margin to just one point by the main break, kicking five of their own to YYN’s three.
A huge third quarter provided end-to-end, free-flowing footy, which had the scoreboard ticking over quite frequently.
The Cougars had the lead eventually and held onto it going into the final change, leading by a point.
But the final term was party time for the Cougars, kicking four goals to one to extend the margin out to 27 points by the final siren.
The party tricks were on show as the Cougars kicked three quick goals to stun the Jets in the final term, as everything seemingly went their way.
For Churchill, Ben Kearns – who kicked six goals – Ryan Lowrie, Tyson and Dillon Leys along with Joel Mason stood out.
Campbell MacInnes and Dean Macdonald kicked 10 goals between them, earning them a spot in the best for YYN, alongside Rohan Reid, Anthony Young, Mitchell Luck and Dylan Bath.
The Cougars remain undefeated in 2023, improving their record to 5-0, leaving the Jets in unfamiliar territory with a 3-3 record.
THE Saints and the Blues took to Cowwarr Recreational Reserve in a game that hoped to see a team claim their second win of the year, but the script was left at home.
The home side got off to the best of starts, booting 5.2 to 0.2 in the opening term to hold a five-goal lead at the first change.
It was Cowwarr’s best first term of the season so far; their previous best was in Round 1 against Gormandale.
Rosedale got the ball rolling in the second quarter, dragging the margin back to 26, but plenty of work still had to be done.
In a seesawing affair, Cowwarr got the better of the visitors, kicking 3.3 (21) to 2.6 (18), extending their lead to 29 with a quarter to go.
But Rosedale evidently didn’t give in, despite the deficit.
All of a sudden, Cowwarr had transferred their momentum to Rosedale, as the Blues went on to kick 6.1 (37) to 1.2 (8).
You can do the math.
The scores ended all square, at 11.8 (74) to 10.14 (74), the second draw in the NGFNL this season (the first in seniors), after Cowwarr and Yarram drew in the reserves.
Shane Morgan, Matt Johnston – who kicked four majors – Kyle Stamers, Ben Coffey, Jake Brown and Shane Galea were the best for the home side.
While for the Blues, Jay Diamond, Will Murray, Thomas Northe, Riley Atlee, Devon Maxwell and Matthew Ellman were in the best.
TRARALGON Tyers United continued their unbeaten start to 2023, knocking over the winless Glengarry with ease at home.
The game was just about over by half time, as TTU took a 47-point lead into the first change, kicking 8.2 (50) to 0.3 (3), turning it into a 66-point margin halfway through the game.
The foot might’ve come off the accelerator, but the scores continued to grow.
TTU surpassed triple digits in the third term and led by 82 points with 30 minutes to go.
A spirited Magpies outfit competed until the end, winning the final term to drag the margin back to 73 points.
TTU move to 6-0, defeating Glengarry, 19.14 (128) to 8.7 (55).
The Bombers look to be the strongest team in the competition thus far, but could meet their match next week in a top-of-the-ladder clash.
Kade Duncan was best on ground for TTU, complimented by Michael Jacobsen, Brad Kelleher – who led the line, kicking eight majors – Liam Willaton, Jye Neilson and Jake Cashmore.
As for the Magpies, Michael Ryan, Thomas Harris, Cameron Graham, Luke Healy, Riley Adams and Cassidy Bartley impressed.
FINALLY, Yarram overcame an early deficit to down the Bulldogs on their home deck at Stephenson Park.
Sale took an eight-point lead and held onto it up until half time, yet the Demons had slashed the margin to just four points.
The game blew wide open when Yarram kicked 8.1 (49) to 3.3 (21) to put things on their terms, leading by four goals at the final break.
With the game seemingly won, the Demons extended the lead out to six goals to complete the comeback, winning 16.11 (107) to 10.11 (71).
Yarram held onto their top four spot, now two games clear in the finals positions, from Sale in sixth place.
Boadie Motton, Tyler Chisholm, Griffin Underwood, Liam Bentley, Dylan Garnham and Matt Clavarino were the best for the winners, while Joshua Swift kicked five goals – now with the equal third-most goals for the season with 25.
For the Bulldogs, Harry Kaandorp, Daniel Howe, Benjamin Brett, Kaden McCulloch, Matthew Walker and Brayden Macgregor-Davies stood out.
WOODSIDE had the bye.
Still got it: Dane Swan in action for the Tigers on the weekend. Photographs supplied
