FOOTBALL
MID GIPPSLAND
Yallourn-Yallourn North have continued their impressive form of the past month with yet another convincing victory, this time over Morwell East, 21.12 (138) to 10.12 (72).
The Bombers have now managed five wins in a row after their opening round loss to Thorpdale and have top spot in the Mid Gippsland league in their sights.
The Hawks found themselves in unfamiliar territory early in the game and led by three points at quarter-time.
The home side was led by Paul Henry, Andrew Brown, Brandon Francis and Stephen Lambert, with Dylan Field and Rob Michaelides also lending a hand.
The Bombers started to find some more room in the second quarter and turned the three-point deficit to a 10-point lead at half-time.
Dean McDonald proved why he is the best forward in the league and continued his outstanding form to finish the day with seven goals.
Bombers coach Barrie Burnett said McDonald was “pretty hard to match up on”.
“(McDonald) prides himself on his work and pressure in the forward area,” Burnett said.
“He would have laid eight tackles and he brings out the best in those around him as well.”
Burnett praised the efforts of the Bombers’ younger players and said the side’s youth “lifted their work rate” but admitted there was room for improvement ahead of this weekend’s clash with undefeated Trafalgar.
“It wasn’t a complete team effort but it was still a good effort,” he said.
Newborough v Trafalgar
Trafalgar extended their unbeaten run to six in a row with a comfortable win over Newborough on Saturday, 15.21 (111) to 8.4 (52).
The Bloods extinguished any hopes the home side had of an upset victory when they shot out of the blocks with 12 shots on goal to Newborough’s none.
The only saving grace for the Bulldogs was the fact the visitors were not on target and scored four goals.
For Newborough, Jared Risol continued to do what he has done for most of the year and led the way for his less-experienced teammates.
Risol was assisted by the likes of Wade Smith, Billy Webster, Rob Wilson, JB Faustin and Michael Hicks but needed the help of more to make a game of it.
Trafalgar coach Clint Einsiedel was pleased with his side’s win but admitted shots on goal “need a bit of work”.
“Poor execution by a few players was disappointing, but when we had a chance to regroup we did, and we did it well,” he said.
Trafalgar had multiple avenues to goal with Daniel Hayes grabbing five, Klay Butler four and Matt Van Schajiik three.
“We got off to a really good start and played some really fantastic football and we really finished off well, which was great,” Einsiedel said.
Thorpdale v Yarragon
Thorpdale put in another solid performance in round six and notched a win over Yarragon, 13.1 (89) to 6.10 (46).
The Blues led by two points at the first break but it was accuracy that blew the game open in the second quarter as they added another six goals to lead by 38 at half-time.
For the Blues, Ed Greene and Chris Redl both bagged four goals but coach Josh Collie was pleased with the performance of his entire playing group.
“We had more contributors than those two boys, but they were good and we are improving each week which is good.”
Despite the win Collie earmarked inaccuracy on goal as an area for improvement for the Blues.
“They weren’t difficult shots … we missed a few sitters and the Panthers, to their credit, are a much improved side and kept the pressure on us well.”
Mirboo North v Boolarra
Defending premiers Mirboo North made light work of Boolarra in round six, 17.13 (115) to 2.3 (15).
Tigers playing-coach Josh Taylor said his side was “playing some really good footy”.
“We still have some key players to come in, so I’m really happy with the feeling that’s starting to build,” he said.
Among the better players for Mirboo North were Lloyd Powell, Joe Brooks, Zac Kilgower, Jacob Nash, Josh Taylor and Luke Palmer.
Daniel Taylor scored four goals and Palmer three while Kilgower and Oddy chimed in with two each.
For the Demons, Matt Buglisi, Nick Smith and Tom Reiske were good contributors.
Hill End v Yinnar
Yinnar kicked into gear after a slow start to notch a win over Hill End in round six, 18.16 (124) to 6.4 (40).
A pedestrian first quarter for the visitors had them leading by two points at quarter-time and Hill End could have been forgiven for thinking an upset was on the cards.
However, that was quickly quashed as Yinnar extended the margin to 42 at half-time.
James Dowling ended the day with six goals while Sam Mills bagged four thanks to the work of Matt Dyke, Jarrod Henderson, Mark Stolk, Mills and coach Jaime Aitken.
“It was a scrappy sort of game for most of the day and then late in the match they might have dropped off a bit and we just kept pushing forward, so the scoreboard might have complimented us a bit,” Aitken said.
