FOOTBALL

NORTH GIPPSLAND

BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

 

SUPER statements were produced just two weeks in to the North Gippsland Football-Netball League season.

One-sided affairs and surprising results have already thrown a spanner in the works early on in the premiership race.

Not one game in Round 2 fell beneath 50 points, begging questions already of the stability of the competition, despite an offseason which suggested that the gap between the best and the rest had narrowed.

All of these blowouts occurred, even with hot-tipped wooden spooners Glengarry not even playing at the weekend.

As three sides have the bye this Anzac Day Round, many will be praying for closer results and a more competitive hit-out across the two days’ worth of play.

 

Cowwarr 21.12 (138) def Woodside 10.12 (72)

THAT’S a way to dismiss anyone critical of Cowwarr being a serious contender.

The Saints made the reigning back-to-back premiers look second-rate, taken to task in a 66-point thrashing at Cowwar Recreational Reserve, 21.12 (138) to 10.12 (72).

Despite the surprising result, all eyes were fixated on the matchup heading into the weekend, as the first true test of any kind to see how the new-look Cowwar outfit checked against the upper echelon of the competition.

That point was even more shown when the North Gippsland FNL broadcasters swapped the match of the round from Yallourn Yallourn North vs Yarram to travel to Cowwarr instead (an obvious change mind you given what played out and what matchup was expected to be most intriguing months in advance).

Keenan Hughes opened a strong game with the first major at the two-minute mark of the contest.

Under pressure from the get go, the Wildcats looked as surprised as anyone from how hot the Saints started, with veteran Michael Stockdale making an unusual turnover inside the defensive 50 right to Sam Hallyburton.

Hallyburton would miss the shot from 40 metres out, but early signs were pointing to a long, tough day for the visiting Woodside, as Cowwarr had already added their third scoring shot in the first five minutes.

Subsequently, as the ball was locked in the Saints’ forward half, Jake Brown snapped truly to produce the second goal.

Elite run from Cowwarr’s midfield made it difficult for the Wildcats to even see the ball in their hands, still yet to get inside forward 50, as the Saints added goals from Goanar Rauch and Hughes again off the very next centre bounce.

Michael O’Sullivan finally saw Woodside hit the scoreboard 12 minutes in, ironically still without the ball entering their forward 50, as he smashed a major from outside the arch.

The Wildcats began to come to life with their intensity, disallowing Cowwarr out of the back half, before Caleb Michie broke the tide to add the Saints’ fifth goal in the first quarter.

As it appeared the contest had mellowed into stoppage time, the Saints continued to pounce with further majors from Brady Hood and Hallyburton to push their lead to 45-9 at the break.

Play resumed, and with injuries already on hand for Woodside, Cowwarr did not show any mercy even if the match still had plenty to give on the clock.

The second quarter lived for the Saints newcomers, as Sale exports Jack Johnstone and Shannen Lange hit the scoreboard, as well as Hallyburton three times, Ruach twice and Waack, all from Traralgon, to complete a dominate opening half.

Cowwarr led shockingly by 85 points at halftime.

Woodside returned after the main break relatively fresh, adding four goals to the Saints’ three after not scoring majorly in the second term.

Like is with any game, once the result was clear in the second half, Cowwarr put the cue in the rack, giving time for the Wildcats to add a few extra majors to lessen the magnitude of the final score-line.

Further to the point, the Wildcats kicked five goals to three to finish off the game.

While the Saints had plenty to pick from, with five players adding three-plus goals, the collective of Hallyburton (four), Waack, Lange (three), Johnstone (three), Lachlan Sykes, and Ben Coffey completed their best.

Woodside named Cameron Whiteoak, Luke Johnson, Ashton Janssen, Tanner Hall, Stockdale, and Zac Richards.

 

Heyfield 32.14 (206) def TTU 3.9 (27)

ALMOST as alarming, Heyfield emphatically dismissed Traralgon Tyers United by 179 points, 32.14 (206) to 3.9 (27).

The Kangaroos showed no signs of struggle, coming off a Round 1 loss to Woodside, finishing with 20 goals in the second half against the Bombers.

TTU appeared worlds a part from their near half decade dominance in open age football, with the trip to Gordon Street Reserve undoubtably causing heartache across the board.

Due to struggling numbers, nine TTU players were forced to double-up by playing both reserves and seniors, including senior coach Jack Brown.

The Bombers’ 2023 premiership coach and former Yinnar premiership player Jaime Aitken was even obliged to chuck the boots on for the first time in five years as to ensure the twos didn’t forfeit.

That perhaps rings alarms bells most loudly, as a side that’s won three of the last four reserves flags are already reaching crisis mode.

In the main game, it was no surprise the Bombers were shot by halftime, not kicking a goal in the final hour of play.

For the Kangaroos, playing coach Daniel Bedggood had his first star outing in North Gippsland, getting to double digits with a bag of 10 goals in his own right.

Kyle Graham was somewhat overshadowed with a seven-goal performance, while a further five Heyfield players adding multiple majors.

Harry Tatterson, Graham, Tom Marchesi, Jack Challands, Tyson Birss, and Marcus Sundermann were some of the Kangaroos’ standouts.

Trent Hourigan, Liam Michie, Dylan Mclure, Josh Segond, Josh Twite, and Nicholas Rutter were named in TTU’s best.

 

YYN 25.19 (169) def Yarram 5.8 (38)

ONE coming off a win, another coming off a disappointing loss, much stakes surrounded the YYN-Yarram matchup.

Despite this, the Jets displayed that they didn’t even have a thought of falling into an 0-2 hole to begin the season, sending the Demons home with a 131-point defeat, 25.19 (169) to 5.8 (38).

Yarram, who bested Sale City in Round 1, weren’t to have the same luck when arriving at George Bates Reserves.

YYN worked at break neck speed, jumping out of the gate with 10 of the first 11 goals of the game.

Darcy Shellcot, switched away from his typical centre half back position, producing two sensational goals in the first quarter to keep the Jets alight.

Already over 60 points, the Demons finally added their second goal with just minutes spare in the opening half, before young Chase Boxshall added his first senior goal for YYN.

Through to the finish, the Jets produced 14 of the final 16 majors to get back to an even 1-1 win-loss record.

Playing coach Dean MacDonald put through eight goals for YYN for a best-on-ground performance, followed by Dylan Bath (two), Dylan Bentley (three), Brandon Mcauliffe, Darcy Shellcot (three), and Cody MacDonald.

Kayleb Pearce (two goals), Ben Vardy, Lochie Roberts, Kelly Griffiths, Griffin Underwood, and Daniel Vardy stood tall for Yarram.

 

Churchill 17.16 (118) def Sale City 10.5 (65)

KICKING off the season the best way, Churchill added their first win off their first game against Sale City.

The Cougars, introducing many new and returning faces, weren’t to be denied when travelling to Stephenson Park, defeating the Bulldogs 17.16 (118) to 10.5 (65).

Desperate to get back on the winner’s list following a surprising loss to Yarram, Sale City booted three of the first four goals of the match – all of which came from Bohdi Walker.

Churchill then put their head down and began to take it to the home side, something they hadn’t been able to complete in near two years.

Round 13, 2024 was the previous time the Cougars had secured a road victory.

After that opening stand from the Bulldogs, Churchill produced seven of the next nine goals through to halftime, giving them a 24-point edge.

Ben Kearns added his sixth goal of the match early into the third quarter, while multiple-time Leongatha premiership player Travis Nash sent through his first major in Cougars colours.

Little change was seen during the final term, as Churchill had done enough to see out the game well in advance.

Kearns produced a killer performance, for his biggest haul in over two years, with a nine-goal outing, while Nash, playing coach Chris Williams, Jordan Fenech, Hayden Weir, and Lachlan Werr rounded out the Cougars’ best.

Sam Treglown, Thomas Aeschlimann, Hudson Tollner, Bailey Harrison, Riley Mizzi, and Chad Evans played well for Sale City.

 

Rosedale 14.6 (90) def Gormandale 5.8 (38)

ROSEDALE did what they needed to do against Gormandale.

The Blues kept the Tigers at a distance to add their second win of the season early, victorious by 52 points, 14.6 (90) to 5.8 (38) at Gormandale Recreation Reserve.

Again falling flat in the first half, as the Tigers were coming off a drawn contest against TTU in Round 1, Rosedale capitalised to lead by 23 points at the main break.

Gormandale once more had their chances, but were let down due to inaccurate kicking, with just 2.6 (18) to their name at the main break.

The Blues were happy to continue on their merry way, and despite a strong stand to begin the second half from the Tigers, Rosedale ran over the top of Gormandale in the final term with five goals to one.

Brandon McConnell, Lachlan Speairs with four goals, Alex Styles, Brodey Rudd, Jay Diamond, and Riley Atlee stood out for the Blues.

Campbell Peavey, Judah Leak, Liam Deering, Trent Baldwin, Nicholas Millington, and Tom Said were Gormandale’s best.

 

GLENGARRY had the bye.