FOOTBALL
MID GIPPSLAND
Yarragon secured their first win of the season, getting over a gallant Boolarra side and running out comfortable winners, 15.5 (95) to 9.4 (54).
The Panthers trailed at quarter-time by a point to a side that had not won a game since 2016 and had not been in front for as long as they could probably remember.
The lead, however, was short lived as players like Rhys Gleisner, Andrew Budge, Brad Wolfe and Michael Whyte started to find more of the ball for the home side.
The half-time margin favoured Yarragon by 20 points and ballooned to 37 at the major break.
Boolarra managed to put the brakes on the Panthers in the final term but the damage was already done.
Goalkickers for Yarragon were spread nicely with Mitch Jolly, Damon Burns and playing coach Rob Cahill all with three a piece.
Buglisi continued to do his best for Boolarra while Justin Emery, Matt Powers, Hayden Kimpton and Tyson Siddle contributed nicely.
Hill End v YYN
Hill End returned home but looked lost from the opening bounce as Yallourn/Yallourn North made easy work of the Rovers, 26.10 (166) to 6.4 (40).
Dean Macdonald and Tim Phillips grabbed a big bag of 14 goals between them but neither were acknowledged in the Bombers’ best players, which gave an indication of the contributions being made across the team.
“We came ready to play, everyone was relaxed, and everyone played their part. We dominated the midfield and took control and really didn’t give them a chance,” Bombers coach Barrie Burnett said.
YYN have to be applauded for the four-quarter efforts of all 21 players.
A champion team is hard to stop and this one is building momentum, which is pleasing for Burnett.
Yinnar v Newborough
Unbeaten and still improving, Yinnar put a massive dent in Newborough’s 2018’s finals aspirations by comfortably rolling the Bulldogs, 19.15 (129) to 7.5 (47).
Magpies coach Jaime Aitken is still finding spots for first choice players in his side, but was pleased with what he saw from the outset.
“We still have a number of players in the seconds and even a couple in our thirds which I’d like to give a go. But at this stage with everyone contributing, it’s hard to,” Aitken said.
A good start to the game was complimented by an eight-goal third quarter that blew the visitors out of the water.
Bradley McBride finished the day with eight goals and James Dowling with three, while both were well supported by another half-a-dozen goalkickers who peppered the scoreboard with 34 shots on goal.
Morwell East v Mirboo North
It was not pretty, but any win is a good one in an even competition as Morwell East struggled to a three-point win over the Mirboo North, 10.9 (69) to 10.6 (66).
In perfect conditions and in front of a healthy number of past players, Morwell East had their sights set on an impressive display.
Sam Marks was one of only a few whose slick kicking was cutting through opposition lines and finding a teammate.
Mirboo North had most of the ball through the early parts of the game, with playing coach Josh Taylor busy.
Joe Brooks put the visitors in front early in the second quarter but the lead was only momentary as Nick Campbell scored Morwell East after a Tiger indiscretion.
The players started to adjust to the tempo of the game, with several neat passages of play by the Hawks helping open up the game.
Not to be outdone, Josh Taylor grabbed another for the Tigers as the momentum of the game swung one way and the another, the Hawks by three points.
Key forward Tim Trail had his chances to edge the Tigers closer and maybe steal the lead at the final break, only to miss what he should have made.
Morwell East was up by nine points at three-quarter-time and three at the final siren.
Thorpdale v Trafalgar
Trafalgar recorded a huge win against Thorpdale yesterday afternoon at Thorpdale Recreation Reserve, 15.11 (101) to 9.6 (60).
Leading at every break, the Bloods turned the screws in the third quarter to go into the final term with an insurmountable 45-point lead.
Matthew Van Schajik and Rhys Holdsworth did the damage up front for Trafalgar with three goals apiece.
