The Gippsland Tigers had another couple of impressive victories over Melton at Traralgon on Sunday in the Superrules.
The over 47s played first and were way too fast for their opponents, coming away with a comprehensive 47-point victory.
The Tigers started brilliantly with Peter Boyes in the ruck with Danny Shaw, John Crosby and Mick Kelly at his feet.
Kelly got plenty of the ball early and was a welcome inclusion with his injection of pace around the ground
Tim Allan and Charlie Schembri were dominant across the wings, and soon the Tigers had a commanding lead.
It was the same scenario in the second quarter, and a six-goal-to-three lead at the long break had the Tigers in complete control.
Anthony Fultum, another new player, gave them plenty of drive in his first run especially kicking long to the Tigers’ big forwards Shane Hollingsworth, Mal Hurral and Grant Nicholas.
The second half was again all one way as the Tigers’ superior fitness and ball use ran the Melton players off their legs.
Led by a defensive group including John Cameron, Mick Muccillo, Ivan Sands, Kevin Rutter and Mac Callow, they repelled any forward thrusts and gave some great run from the back line.
Danny Shaw, after dominating the first half, came off late in the second quarter after coping a heavy knock.
This initiated some minor changes at the long break allowing Troy McDonald and Brad Darcy some quality time in the middle.
Big men Andrew Behan and Allan Cootes gabbed some vital marks in the last whilst Peter Falls, Crosby and Danny Shaw back on the ground created havoc whilst keeping Melton goalless in what was a tremendous team effort.
Final scores: Gippsland 11.7 (73) defeated Melton 3.8 (26)
Best Players: Tim Allan, John Crosby, Mick Kelly, Ivan Sands, Troy McDonald, Danny Shaw.
Goalkickers: Grant Nicholas 1 x 9 pointer supergoal, Danny Shaw 3, Mick Kelly 2, Tim Allan 2, Mal Hurrel 1, Shane Hollingsworth 1, Peter Boyes 1.
Overs 35s
The over 35s had an absorbing clash till three-quarter time, with only four points separating both sides at the last break; however, the Tigers banged on six goals in the last quarter to run out 40-point winners.
After an impressive first round win and having an even stronger line up available this week, the Tigers went in confident on the big Traralgon oval but came up against a pumped up Melton side that appeared to have recruited some quality players to their already strong side.
Bruce Siddle opened in the ruck with Paul Roberts, Wayne Hicks and Russel Ludby in the centre.
Peter Kavadias and Danny Reid took the pivitol defensive roles and Stuart Passalaqua slotted into the key centre half forward position.
Melton came out of the blocks with slick ball movement and kicked the first two before the Tigers went forward.
After the initial onslaught, the Tigers settled and a late goal deep into the quarter had them go into the first break trailing by seven points.
The second was far more even as both sides half back lines dominated.
Mick Duncan,Wayne Paulet, Kevin Whitehead and Colin Mackrell gave the Tigers some much needed run and Warren Watson and Russell Deppler got more of the ball through the middle.
Dave Walker was another who gave the Tigers some more strength and also Bruce Siddle some much needed big man presence.
Nothing separated the sides at the long break.
Vital changes in the third quarter saw Walker to centre half back, Shane Vivian to centre half forward and Mick Salerno onto the ball and each move had an immediate impact.
A couple of costly turnovers kept Melton in the game as the quarter progressed, and the Tigers went into the last with a four point lead but appearing to have the more run in their legs.
Dave Walker and Bruce Siddle stood tall in the last as the Tigers kicked six unanswered goals and had far too much run as the match progressed.
To Melton’s credit it did have three players who backed up again from the Over 47’s to ensure their side had a bench.
Final scores; Gippsland 13.8 (86) defeated Melton 6.10 (46)
Best players: Russel Ludby, Colin Mackrell, Bruce Siddle, Wayne Hicks, Dave Walker, Peter Kavadias.
GoalkickerS: Russell Ludby 3, Paul Roberts 1, Russel Deppler 1, Colin Mackrell 1, Bruce Siddle 1, Mick Siddle 1, Mick Salerno 1, Dave Walker 1, Peter Kavadias 1, Danny Cunico 1, Wayne Hicks 1.
