FOOTBALL
NORTH GIPPSLAND
Gormandale appeared on track to clinch the upset of the round over Rosedale on Saturday before the Blues kicked into gear in the second half to run out 29-point winners, 9.15 (69) to 6.2 (38).
The Tigers held a slender two-point lead at the main break but it was never going to be enough to deter a hard-nosed outfit like Rosedale.
Blues coach Sam Bristow labelled the conditions “tough” and was buoyed with his side’s ability to stick to the game plan in the wet.
“I was pleased just that we stuck to tasks for four quarters in tough conditions … trying to play wet weather footy and get the head over the ball,” he said.
“Everyone knew about the conditions but it got worse and worse and we just stuck to our tasks.
“It was just a slog and we knew it was a going to be a hard game.”
The Blues turned the tide in the third term and scored two goals and six behinds to give them a crucial 10-point buffer heading into the last quarter.
Rohan Diamond was “really good” according to Bristow while Matt Royal kicked five goals and was “dangerous” all day.
Mid Gippsland league leading goalkicker and star recruit Chase Saunders loomed large for the Tigers and kicked three goals and was well supported by Joey Colaciello, Jake Bishop and Daniel Domaille who all kicked singles.
“Gormandale still fought it out for the whole game but [when] you get a break it’s always hard to get them back,” Bristow said.
The Blues are carrying “a lot of stiff and sore bodies” after consecutive weeks playing in the wet but are likely to welcome back Isaac Love and Brad Caldwell – who both missed on Saturday – for this weekend’s clash with Churchill.
Yarram v Heyfield
Ladder leaders Yarram continue to keep the rest of the North Gippsland league senior competition at arms’ lengths with another commanding win, this time at the expense of Heyfield, 10.18 (78) to 4.7 (31).
The Demons set the tone early and blew the Roos out of the water with a four-goal-to-none opening term to lead by 24 points at quarter-time.
Yarram coach Matt Scholz said the conditions at Demon central were trying, particularly in the second term, when his side kicked seven behinds.
“The wind played a major part in the game and caused us to be a bit inaccurate in front of goal but we started really well and kept that lead and managed to finished well,” he said.
Jake Anderson (foot) and Louis Rodaughan (corked leg) were late omissions but Scholz said the Demons’ skills “picked up from the last couple of weeks” which allowed him to “try a few different things” around the ground.
“We changed a few players around in different positions [to] see how they reacted,” he said.
“We moved Jacob Davis around and moved around Will Bodman and a few others.”
One thing that did not change, however, was Yarram’s avenues to goal and eight players hit the scoreboard for majors.
“It was good to see that we did have those numbers of goalkickers and it’s very pleasing coming into the busy end of the season,” Scholz said.
“I thought Jarryd Swift was really good, David Coulthard was really good and Griffin Underwood as well.”
The win ensures two games remain between Yarram and second-placed TTU who they face this weekend in a round 14 blockbuster.
Scholz’s high ankle sprain is “looking good” and will be assessed at training this week while Anderson and Rodaughan may also be up for selection.
Cowwarr v TTU
It was business as usual for Traralgon Tyers United in round 13 of the North Gippsland Football League senior competition and they cantered to win number 11 for the season over Cowwarr on Saturday, 13.18 (96) to 3.5 (23).
The Bombers were characteristically unforgiving in the opening stages of the game and piled on five goals to lead by 34 points at the first break and kept the listless Saints scoreless in the process.
Seven behinds in the second term were the result of some misfired shots on goal for TTU but the window of opportunity was still shut for Cowwarr by the main break as they trailed by 45 points.
Goalkicking duties were shared for the Bombers with two going to Adam Bailey, Michael Jacobsen and Jye Neilson and singles to seven others.
The Bombers sit in the enviable position of second on the senior ladder and are well-placed for the run towards the post-season with an eight point gap to third-placed Churchill.
They will need to be at their absolute best this weekend as they host ladder leaders Yarram in the match of the of round on Saturday.
Sale City v Churchill
Churchill led at every change on Saturday to retain third spot on the North Gippsland league ladder with a win over defending premiers Sale City on the road, 9.10 (64) to 5.10 (40).
Ben Kearns was front and centre for the Cougars and did the most damage on the scoreboard with three majors while Blake Slater and Brayden Kokshoorn kicked two each and singles went to Brendan Mason and Brendan Holt.
Churchill will travel again in round 14, this time to Rosedale, for what is shaping as a tantalising clash against the fourth-placed Blues.
For Sale City in sixth, this weekend’s match-up with Woodside is a must-win if the Dogs are to push for a post-season berth.
Woodside v Glengarry
Woodside handed Glengarry a demoralising 93-point drubbing on Saturday, 17.16 (118) to 3.7 (25).
The Magpies were not without a shot in the early stages and went into the first break with a reachable 19-point deficit but their hopes were short-lived.
The Wildcats piled on six goals in the second and held Glengarry goalless in the process to blow the lead out to a match-winning 59 points.
Ryan Foat was the toast of the day for Woodside and finished with five goals while a trio of others – Cameron Whiteoak, playing-coach Todd Bryant and Bradley Smith – kicked three each.
The 15-goal win is sure to put a pep in the step of the Wildcats ahead of their season-defining clash with defending premiers Sale City this weekend.
