BOOLARRA has moved off the bottom of the ladder after clocking up its first points of the year, with a convincing win over Yallourn Yallourn North 16.9 (105) to 7.13 (55).
The Demons got off to a great start and led by 16 points at quarter time.
They continued to dominate play and scored a further four goals to secure a 35-point lead at half time.
While the Bombers attempted a comeback in the third, the last quarter was all Boolarra, booting five more goals to YYN’s few behinds. Boolarra’s players are finally embracing the brand of football coach Tony Giardina wanted them to and should continue to play well with restored confidence.
Morwell East v Yarragon
Morwell East put its season back on track with a comfortable win over Yarragon, 20.11 (131) to 5.6 (36).
The Hawks were too strong for Yarragon and were able to win most of the centre clearances, getting the ball to their forwards quickly to lead by an impressive 7.6 (48) 0.1 (1) at quarter time.
As the rain subsided in the second quarter, Yarragon kicked its first goal.
The Panthers were more competitive in the second quarter, kicking one goal three behinds, while the Hawks managed four goals and led by 59 at three quarter time.
Yarragon was unable to a score a goal in the third quarter, and skill errors that led to turnovers hurt them. Morwell East coach Paul Henry was happy his side was able to play well as a team and get back on the winners board.
He said Adam Jaensch, normally a backline player, had been “a revelation down forward”, kicking five goals.
Yarragon coach Shaun Kleeven spoke to players after the game about sticking together as he believed it was an important focus during tough times.
“In previous years at Yarragon when things haven’t gone well… players would just sort of fall away and stop turning up to training,” Kleeven said.
Kleeven is remaining positive at this stage and is also looking forward to years down the track when the many juniors, who benefit from playing senior football, will be the “heart and soul of the club”.
Hill End v Thorpdale
Thorpdale suffered another heavy loss this weekend, going down to the strong Hill End side, 18.15 (123) to 3.8 (26).
Kicking into the wind, Hill End managed five goals in the first quarter which set the tone for the day.
Hillmen coach Josh Tymenson said his side was “switched on from the start”.
Thorpdale was unable to score in the second quarter, finding the wind more of a problem.
Tymenson said he was happy that for the first time this year, his side played a consistent four quarters of football.
Thorpdale, however, lacked consistency and while its intensity and pressure was good all day, the side’s ball movement was only good in patches.
Yinnar v Newborough
Once again Newborough’s ability to play four solid quarters of football earned it the win 10.6 (66) over Yinnar 3.7 (25).
Yinnar’s Daniel Webster kicked the first goal of the match.
Newborough was quick to answer, taking the scores to 1.1.7 to 1.2.8 at quarter time.
The Magpies were in the game before half time, and the Bulldogs led by just nine points.
In the start of the third Yinnar was more attacking than Newborough, but only managed behinds. The Magpies had more free kicks and inside 50s, but fell down in the forward line and were unable to score.
Newborough went marching on in the last quarter to a 41-point victory.
Trafalgar v Mirboo North
It was a low scoring affair at Trafalgar, with the home side earning the four points against Mirboo North 7.9 (51) to 5.8 (38).
Trafalgar kicked into the wind in the first quarter, and coach Chris Kyriacou was happy that his side set up the win in the first half, leading by 14 points at half time.
The Tigers fought back in the last quarter, but the Bloods were able to hold on with their strong desire to win proving crucial.
