FOOTBALL
NORTH GIPPSLAND
Powerhouse Yarram have again proven why they are near-unbackable favourites for this year’s North Gippsland league senior flag after a telling win over second-placed Traralgon Tyers United in round 13 on Saturday, 17.6 (108) to 11.9 (75).
The Demons are now all but assured the minor premiership with three games between them and the Bombers with four games to go in the season proper.
Griffin Underwood stepped up to take on the captaincy duties for Saturday’s game after coach Matt Scholz withdrew through illness but president Anthony Rodaughan said the Demons were unaffected by the change.
“Griffin really stepped up and our bench operated as normal, and things like that can sometimes unsettle a side but we dealt with it and played very well,” Rodaughan said.
The Demons’ already mighty playing stocks were bolstered by the return of big-name players Chris Bruns and Louis Rodaughan, who both “contributed strongly”, Rodaughan said.
Ben Vardy, brother of Dan, has been another welcome inclusion in the second half of the year and commands a lot of opposition at centre-half-forward.
“Ben’s presence was felt on Saturday and he took a lot of marks. He’s a big addition to our list and can also and run through the midfield and can go back. He’s a mobile big man,” Rodaughan said.
Liam Farley took on a different role on Saturday and tagged dangerous Bomber Michael Jacobsen and “did a really good job”.
“We’re still missing a couple but it was a morale-boosting win for us,” the Demons president said.
After making it through 14 rounds without a blemish to their name, Rodaughan said nerves weren’t a factor for the Demons in the run home.
“There is a bit of the old superstition of not losing a game, but we go out every week to win and that’s Matt [Scholz’] philosophy,” he said.
Glengarry v Cowwarr
Cowwarr have broken through to record their first win of the year in the North Gippsland senior competition on Saturday with an emphatic victory over Glengarry to tip off round 14, 15.23 (113) to 4.9 (33).
Saints coach Brett McMaster said he felt as though the win was a long time coming and was a just reward for weeks of hard work.
“It was obviously pleasing to get a win and it wouldn’t have been much fun to go through the season without one,” McMaster said.
“We felt like we played some good footy throughout the year with no reward, so it was a nice acknowledgement for the effort we’ve put in and that was the main message.
“We’ve probably always felt we can be competitive with the better sides, and during games we have been for periods of time but we sort of felt if we play four quarters we’ll get good results and we did that [on Saturday].”
With four games to go in the home and away season, McMaster said the drought-breaking win would give the Saints the shot in the arm they need to see out 2018.
“In the four games coming up, if we can play the level we played on Saturday there’s no reason we can’t compete,” he said.
McMaster gave ruckman Shane Morgan best on ground plaudits for his standout performance that included three goals and said he was “really important” in the win.
Pat Tainsh had a stellar run in the midfield and “got a ridiculous amount of the footy” while Kyle Stamers booted two goals as an inside mid and “stood out”.
Rosedale v Churchill
A stunning run of 10 answered goals in the final term has helped catapult Churchill to victory over Rosedale on Saturday, 17.15 (117) to 10.8 (68).
Rosedale would have been rubbing their hands at the main break after a seven-goal-to-five opener helped them to a 16-point lead, but the Cougars chipped away at the deficit in the third to trail by just a point at the last change.
A goal by Brendan Mason in the first three minutes of the last quarter stirred the side and opened the floodgates for a barrage of majors to help Churchill reassert their dominance and hang on to third spot.
Mason finished with four goals for the day for the Cougars, playing-coach Chris Williams and Ben Kearns each nabbed three while Brendan Holt and Dillon Leys each scored two.
For Woodside, Frazar Brouns and Isaac Love scored three majors each, Kaleb Watson two and singles to Sam Tudor and playing-coach Sam Bristow.
Heyfield v Gormandale
Heyfield have fended off Gormandale to record a win on home turf on Saturday, 11.11 (77) to 9.6 (60).
After coming close to Rosedale last weekend, the Tigers would have thought a win was well within reach this week and led by 19 points at the major break.
Josh Neille led the way for the Roos on the scoreboard and finished with three goals while James Beha and Kodie Woodland kicked two each and singles went to four others.
For Gormandale, Joey Colaciello and Jake Bishop kicked two each.
Both teams will enjoy a week’s respite as they break for the split round 15.
Sale City v Woodside
Defending premiers Sale City have cantered to a crucial win over Woodside on Saturday to match the Wildcats on eight wins for the year, 15.12 (102) to 8.7 (55).
Victory helps the Bulldogs to fourth spot on the Gippsland league ladder, where they sit a handy 15 percentage points clear of Rosedale.
Bohdi Walker finished with four goals for the Dogs while Stuart Buckley and Nick Grainger kicked three each and Evan Johnson and Brad Fleay two each.
Woodside’s goalkicking duties were left to Ryan Foat and Gary Jones, who bagged three each.
