FOOTBALL
NORTH GIPPSLAND
Ladder leader Yarram continued to command the North Gippsland league senior competition in round six and remain undefeated after a resounding win over Glengarry on Saturday, 15.19 (109) to 6.8 (44).
The Demons were decimated by injury and had an empty bench in the last quarter after losing Griffin Underwood and Jarryd Swift to hamstring strains, Shem Rendell to general soreness and the late withdrawal of Dan Vardy before the first bounce.
Yarram coach Matt Scholz was buoyed by his side’s ability to grind out the full game despite the loss of several key players.
“The pleasing thing was that we fought out the four quarters,” Scholz said.
“Our ability to win the contest and then with our forward entries, we had a lot of them.
“We could have used it a lot better and we kicked 19 behinds, but that persistence and being able to turnover Glengarry’s footy in the middle and rebound it back was really good.”
Chris Bruns featured in the best on ground votes for the third consecutive week and was handy through the midfield and up forward.
Louis Rodaughan returned from injury with ease and slotted right back into the side with a best on ground performance and two goals.
Scholz earmarked Underwood as a likely starter for round seven’s grand final rematch against Sale City while Swift will miss and Vardy and Rendell will be assessed later this week.
Woodside v Churchill
Churchill have hung on to third spot on the North Gippsland league ladder with a commanding win over Woodside on the road, 17.17 (119) to 6.7 (43).
The Cougars’ defence was at its indomitable best throughout and allowed the Wildcats a single goal to three-quarter-time.
Churchill coach Chris Williams highlighted his side’s pressure around stoppages early in the game as key to setting up the win.
“I think the pressure probably died off a bit in the last quarter, so we weren’t happy with that but just in the first three quarters the boys did really well around the contest,” Williams said.
While Blake Slater did the heavy lifting in front of goals and finished with five and Williams bagged three, he said it was an even spread of performers that was the difference for Churchill.
“The pleasing this was that we didn’t have any clear standouts,” Williams said.
“But I thought Blake [Slater] was really good for us up forward, [Dean] Degroot up forward as well and they’re probably the two that stood out really.
“I think our back half set up behind the ball well and we were able to transition well from back to forward which allowed us marks inside 50.”
Churchill return home to Gaskin Park to face Heyfield in round seven while Woodside travel to play cellar dweller Cowwarr.
Heyfield v Rosedale
Rosedale have notched their fourth win of season 2018 at the expense of Heyfield in round six, 10.5 (65) to 9.8 (62).
The Blues went into the final term 15 points in the red but found some extra legs in the dying stages of the game to run out three-point winners.
Frazar Brouns featured in the best on ground honour roll for the third consecutive week and scored two goals while Dale Fleming and Sam Tudor kicked two, respectively.
Tom Anderson enjoyed his best performance of the season to date and earned six votes for Rosedale and
Brad Page was the Roos’ best.
The Blues sit fifth on the North Gippsland league ladder while Heyfield trail by two games in seventh.
Rosedale host Traralgon-Tyers United in round seven and Heyfield will hit the road to face Churchill.
Sale City v Cowwarr
Defending premiers Sale City have handed Cowwarr the biggest drubbing of round six in the North Gippsland league with a scintillating 124-point win, 25.18 (168) to 7.4 (46).
The game had already blown out in the Bulldogs’ favour by quarter-time as they stacked on eight goals to one to lead by 54 points.
The suffering continued for Cowwarr and the home side showed no mercy with a quartet of Bulldogs combining to kick 22 of 25 goals.
Bohdi Walker was the pick of the bunch and appeared to have the ball on a string with seven goals while playing-coach Jacob Schuback bagged six, Stuart Buckley five and Evan Johnson four.
The Bulldogs showed form reminiscent of 2017 and are primed to take on ladder leader Yarram in the grand final rematch in round seven while Cowwarr, yet to notch a win, will host Woodside.
TTU v Gormandale
Traralgon Tyers United have solidified second spot on the ladder with a comfortable win over Gormandale at the weekend, 14.12 (96) to 10.7 (67).
The Bombers led at every break and never looked to be in danger throughout the 31-point victory.
Adam Bailey led the way in front of goal for TTU and snared three goals while Lachlan White, Jye Neilson and Tim Aitken all scored two.
Youngster Jordan Jobling enjoyed his first run in the Bombers’ senior side for the year and kicked a goal in a best on ground performance.
Ricky Cochrane, Bill Morrison and Simon Noy were all serviceable for TTU in the win while Luke Francis and Chris Potalej were the best for Gormandale.
