SCOTT BERECHREE
FOOTBALL
NORTH GIPPSLAND
By SCOTT BERECHREE
COURTESY of Churchill having the bye and their 173-point demolition of a hapless Gormandale last week, the Jets of Yallourn Yallourn North have taken up residence in the North Gippsland Football-Netball League penthouse.
As much as there is a rush to check the goal kickers list to see who kicked how many when a side wins by such a margin the hidden gem among the big score in Round 4 was perhaps that the league leaders kept their opponents scoreless across three quarters of footy.
Having placed 1.2 (8) against Gormandale’s name in the first quarter whoever was in charge of that half of the scoreboard on Saturday could have broken out the banana lounge and cocktails after the first break as that’s where the home side’s score remained until the final siren.
In contrast YYN piled on 21.25 (151) across the last three terms to run away with a percentage boosting victory 25.31 (181) to 1.2 (8).
Jets president, and man of the people, Evan Sheekey however lauded the Gormandale boys when speaking in the post-game.
He was taken by the Tigers attitude that saw YYN’s 25th major as hard to come by as their first.
He said he couldn’t believe the Gormandale defenders simply kept plugging away despite the odds in a sign that while the scores might not have gone the Tigers way since Round 1 the endeavour and effort remains.
In addition to the obvious, Dean MacDonald’s bag of seven majors and Dylan Bath’s best on ground performance, Sheekey was also full of praise for youngster Lachlan Fry who bagged a pair of goals in his first senior game.
Sheekey was also effusive in his acknowledgement of the return of James De Virgilio.
De Virgilio played his first game Saturday after a full shoulder reconstruction ended his season early last year. DV, as he is known, found enough of the ball to suggest a return to full form is imminent.
IN a round of lop-sided results the closest clash was between Yarram and Sale City.
Yarram was coming off a win in their local derby over Woodside last week while Sale City made the trip to the home of the Demons coming off a pair of wins from their only two games of the season so far.
The scene was set for a titanic tussle and that’s what those in attendance saw as Yarram won 8.9 (57) to 6.7 (43).
Somewhat encumbered by the after effects of a curiously timed Friday night wedding Yarram managed to notch a 14-point win over a young Bulldogs line-up that was missing their boom recruit Dr Sam Davidson.
In his absence, the tri-colours shared the goal kicking responsibilities with Riley Boyle, Jaxsyn Whitehill, Mitchell Evans and Lachlan Carman kicking singles while Jia Nelson slotted two.
Up against a Yarram side that included the returning Boadie Motton from the SANFL and Jayden Shea, however six goals was never likely to be enough for the visitors.
With Motton dominant in the middle and Corbin Sutherland damaging, if inaccurate, in front of goal kicking 2.5 (17) the Demons got the points.
Sutherland was incredibly complimentary when talking up the Sale City youngsters and suggested the Bulldogs would surprise a few sides across the course of the season.
He also, admittedly reluctantly, offered some praise to his own teams back six suggesting the blue collar work of Yarram’s defensive unit was crucial to the home side’s win.
IN a clash that looked almost certain to end the losers finals hopes Rosedale prevailed over Heyfield on the back of a strong first-half performance.
The Blues jumped the visiting Roos and led by 26 points at the main break.
From then on it was five goals each for the two sides with Rosedale keeping their season alive thanks to their 29-point win 10.11 (71) to 6.6 (42).
Playing his first game of the season, Brad Scott helped himself to a pair of goals and provided some much needed structure to Rosedale front half.
His presence in the forward 50 also freed up Frazar Brouns who was dominant around the ground and found his way into the best players list.
Benefiting the most from Brouns’ ruck work was young gun Riley Atlee, who was listed as best on for the winners in what will be a real confidence boost for him for the rest of the season.
Best for Heyfield was Brayden Woodland, Liam Heasley, Bailey Escreet, Tyson Birss and James Beha.
TRARALGON Tyers United 100-point plus win over Cowwarr consigned the Saints to the bottom of the ladder for at least another round.
Saints coach Shane Galea led the way for The Warr bagging two goals, but with only Toby Thorburn joining him on the goalkickers list his side was never really in the hunt and went down 18.17 (125) to 3.4 (22).
For TTU midfield bull Jayden Cutts and new recruit Rowan Hore managed four goals each in what would have been a terrific tune-up for this week’s clash with Churchill to be played under lights at the Tyers Recreation Reserve.
For those unable to attend this game will be covered by 104.7 Gippsland FM.
In terms of the Bombers better players it was no surprise to see the likes of co-captain Jye Nielson, gun on baller Michael Jacobsen and key defender Jack Brown listed.
The upside for coach Jamie Aitken however is the inclusion of youngsters like Liam Willaton and Tom Fleming among the Bombers better players yet again.
THE final clash of the round saw Woodside rebound from their loss to Yarram last week and get the points over a persistent Glengarry.
Glengarry in fact only trailed last year’s league champions by 20 points at the final break, but a five goal to none last term saw the Wildcats walk away with a 50-point win 15.10 (100) to 7.8 (50).
With the wind blowing across the ground scoring was hard with only Jay Neagle managing multiple majors for the Magpies.
Wildcats coach Michael Duncan, playing his first game for the season, kicked two for the victors with Ben Johnson and David Waddell grabbing three apiece.
Duncan reflected after the game that it was a contested battle noting the game was played in close all day.
This, he said, was symptomatic of both the conditions and both sides preparedness to play a loose player behind the ball.
When the game was on the line Duncan felt his club’s leaders, the likes of Ryan Foat, Dan Missen, Johnson and Will Broadbent all stood tall to ensure the Wildcats got the win.
Duncan also noted the efforts of David Waddell and Bailey Tatnell up front who presented well all day and took some telling marks.
TRARALGON Tyers United Football-Netball Club and Churchill Football-Netball Club’s will come together this Saturday for a very worthy cause.
The Bombers and Cougars will play under lights at Tyers Recreation Reserve in the North Gippsland Football-Netball League, all the while raising awareness for the work of local provider Quantum Support Services.
TTU will be donating gate raffle takings to Quantum while QR codes will be displayed at the ground for attendees to make a donation if they wish.
Bombers president Tim Aitken encouraged local footy and netball fans to come along.
“It is going to be a great day and evening of football and netball, we have some exciting additional activations planned so it would be great to see a bumper crowd attend,” he said.
“I am really pleased that both TTUFNC and CFNC are supporting Quantum Support Services who are based here in Gippsland and doing some really wonderful work in the area. Our aim is to provide awareness for their not-for-profit work in Gippsland and also assist with raising much needed funds.
“We had new ground lighting installed two years ago so this is the first ever night game for TTU which is really exciting for the club.
“We really appreciate Churchill FNC’s support and flexibility to accommodate the night game concept, I’m sure we will see some great football and netball matches across the day and evening.”
Senior football starts at 6pm and A Grade netball at 4.20pm.
Entertainment will be provided by rock duo Steve and Adam, who will play at half-time of the senior football match and post-game until late.
