FOOTBALL
NORTH GIPPSLAND
Traralgon Tyers United stand as one of two undefeated sides in the North Gippsland Football League’s senior competition after doing away with Cowwarr in round four, 17.9 (111) to 8.6 (54).
Tyler Mustoe and Jacob Albanese combined for eight goals to lead the way for the fiery Bombers while Matt Murphy and Scott Zuehlke were awarded best on ground plaudits.
Coach Michael Duncan said he was pleased to get the win with what was a relatively new-look Bombers side.
“We’ve only played four games together as a team, and we’re a pretty new group so to get the win was pleasing,” Duncan said.
For Cowwarr, the goal-kicking duties were shared between Shane Morgan and Dale Murphy, who kicked four and three majors, respectively.
TTU will now face an undefeated Yarram outfit in a top-of-the-table clash in round five while Cowwarr will host Glengarry.
Heyfield v Yarram
Yarram have put in a commanding performance reminiscent of their 2017 form at the weekend, with a win over Heyfield on the road, 8.12 (60) to 4.4 (28).
The Demons held the Roos to a single goal to half time for a 24-point lead and could well have led by eight goals if not for some errant kicking on goal.
Coach Matt Scholz was chuffed with his side’s win and noted it was a particularly promising one given some noticeable absences.
“We had a few outs, and the blokes coming in stood up and played their roles, which was really pleasing to see,” Scholz said.
Louis Rodaughan, Liam Farley, Jacob Davis, David Coulthard and Liam Bentley were Yarram’s list of missing players.
Scholz listed several players as key in the win and said a mix of youth and experience bode well for the side moving forward.
“Will Bodman played really well and we also had Trek Davis who really stood up down back and Chris Pettitt came back after a couple of weeks and he’s just a really experienced campaigner and really smart around the ball,” he said.
“I think we won it through the midfield and the centre of the ground … Heyfield pushed a lot of guys into their back half and played really defensive and we just kept getting the ball turned over in the middle of the ground which was a big thing for us.
The Demons are top of the North Gippsland league ladder as one of two unbeaten sides, along with Traralgon Tyers United, who they face this weekend in round five.
Rosedale v Gormandale
Rosedale have capitalised on a dominant first-quarter performance to run over the top of Gormandale at the weekend, 15.10 (100) to 10.9 (69).
The Blues kicked seven goals to the Tigers’ one in the first term to set themselves up with a six-goal lead at the first break.
Blues coach Sam Bristow was pleased in the wake of his side’s win and said simply taking home the points was promising.
“It was probably just actually [good to] get the win,” Bristow said.
“It was the difference between competing well for the whole four quarters, so I was happy with that … in the first we stuck to our game plan which was also really good.”
Bristow highlighted the efforts of several key players across the ground as crucial in the Blues’ win.
“We had Frazar Brouns who was really good in the ruck, and Caleb Watson played well down forward and Joel Bristow across half back,” he said.
The win places Rosedale in sixth spot on the ladder with two wins and two losses.
“We’re finally playing the way we want to play,” Bristow said.
Rosedale face an in-form Churchill side in round five while Gormandale will host Heyfield.
Churchill v Sale City
Churchill have secured the upset of round four in the North Gippsland Football League after doing away with defending premier Sale City on Saturday, 10.14 (134) to 13.9 (87).
The Cougars have secured third spot on the table behind Yarram and TTU after they dropped their only game for the season to date to the former in round one.
Blake Slater and Chris Williams were damaging for Churchill up forward and combined to score nine goals, with Slater’s bag of five enough to earn him top votes for best on ground.
For the reigning premier, Stuart Buckley was somewhat of a lone soldier and bore the weight of goal-kicking duties with eight of his side’s 13 majors for the day.
Churchill will now face Rosedale in round five action this weekend while Sale City will travel to take on Woodside.
Glengarry v Woodside
Woodside have notched their third win for season 2018 in round four with an impressive on-the-road win over Glengarry on Saturday, 1.14 (98) to 10.7 (67)
The Wildcats led at every change with the biggest buffer standing at 46 points at the three-quarter time.
The away side boasted nine individual goal scorers in the 31-point win with three of them multiples.
Daniel Missen kicked four in the win while coach Todd Bryant and Cameron Whiteoak both kicked two.
Woodside have secured fourth spot on the ladder, behind Churchill on percentage, as one of two sides to have dropped just a single game for the season to date.
The Wildcats now face defending premier Sale City on the back of their loss to Churchill in round four while Glengarry travels to take on Cowwarr.
