MID GIPPSLAND FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Boolarra’s treks to Hill End are usually fraught with danger with the Hill Enders always putting up a battle, and Saturday’s game of Mid Gippsland football was no exception.
A few key playmakers were missing from Boolarra’s lineup but the Demons still ran out winners.
Boolarra scored a couple of goals early to establish a small lead, with goals in the inclement weather valued more than gold.
The Demons managed three by half-time but their usual radar was astray as they also accumulated nine points in the process.
Hill End failed to score by half-time.
After the break Boolarra scratched around and posted 4.5 (29) to Hill End’s 2.5 (17), but it was tough going for both teams with the final score 7.14 (56) to 2.8 (20).
Demon Jesse Giardina scored more than Hill End’s total score with three goals to up his tally to 47.
Matt Moseley scored all of Hill End’s majors.
It was difficult to determine players coated in mud, but the votes went to Daniel Metcalfe, James Holmes, Darryl Mayman and Ken Towt, while Hill End picked out Kris Ayton, Richard Horton, Jay Hudson and Ryan Collins.
Yinnar v Thorpdale
In the closest match of the round league leader Yinnar struggled in the conditions against a fired up Thorpdale.
In their last meeting Yinnar won by 51 points but this game was a lot closer due to a poor playing surface, heavy rain and a greasy ball, which accumulated into many mistakes and turn-overs.
In a game where scores were going to be low, Yinnar was too strong coming home by 17 points.
Sam Mills and Cam Harwood scored two goals each for Yinnar, while Thorpdale’s three were shared.
Yinnar’s best were Lee Cummins, Mills, Jamie Winters, Kade Grinstead-Jones and Harwood.
For Thorpdale Rhy Gieschen, Corey Celima and Tim Lappin all played well under the difficult circumstances.
Newborough v
Morwell East
Newborough asserted its authority on a hapless Morwell East.
The East were missing three key playmakers and were no match for the relentless Bulldogs.
Kicking away in the first term allowed Newborough to build up a healthy lead of about five goals.
Newborough pressed home its advantage in the third with Jeremy Cattanach proving the unlikely hero, picking up chances in the forward line and was rewarded with a five-goal haul for the day, his best this season.
Morwell East failed to score in the last term while Newborough piled on a further 4.3 (27) to run out winners 15.13 (103) to East 3.2 (20).
Glenn Michie added another four goals to tally up 41 for the season.
For the Dogs Cattanach, Stewie Robertson, Mick Gelagotis, Andrew Philip and Liam Carolan all got among the rewards.
For Morwell East it was a trudge getting off Newborough’s turf, Matt Brown, Jody Riordan, Eric Semmler and Harleigh Aarons were standouts.
Ben Marks scored two goals for the Hawks.
Trafalgar v Yallourn Yallourn North
In a real mud slog Trafalgar came out the victors over bottom side YYN by 50 points.
In the context of the conditions it was a keenly contested match with the Bloods having the necessary thrust to get the score on the board.
No goals were easy and Trafalgar had to fight for its nine while Dale Murphy was YYN’s solitary goalscorer.
The final score was Trafalgar 9.5 (59) to YYN 1.3 (9).
Trafalgar Thirds player Mitchell Byrne gained good match experience with three goals as did Leigh Stevens who got the top nod.
Dylan Farrell, Hayden Brock, Cohen Lee and Darcy Brock all played well for the Bloods.
For the Bombers Todd Dobson, Barrie Burnett, Owen Budge and Darcy Shellcott were among the best.
Mirboo North v Yarragon
Mirboo North may have missed the extreme weather conditions but Yarragon received a hot introduction.
The Tigers jumped away with positive football to establish an early break, which increased as the match progressed.
Usual goal-kicking machine Tim Traill was kept to one goal, but it was Jake Nash (four goals) and Shaun Peters (three goals) who did the damage.
The third quarter was the big winner for Mirboo North as it hammered the attacking 50 18 times for a score of 5.7 (37) while keeping Yarragon to zero for the quarter.
The Tigers continued their onslaught in the last term with another five goals.
Yarragon replied with two but the margin eventually crept out to an 80-point win, 17.17 (119) to 6.3 (39).
Yarragon triers were Scott Wood, Jeremy MacDonald, Ben Damschke, Scott Edwards and Carson Strobel.
For the winners Jake Nash ran the ball superbly and capped off his four goals with a best on ground display, and Jack Robertson, Daniel Taylor, Shaun Peters and Simon Busuttil all chipped in with useful performances.
