TOM HAYES
FOOTBALL
NORTH GIPPSLAND
By TOM HAYES
ROUND 4 in the North Gippsland Football-Netball League was much like Round 3, with the projected top five teams recording big victories.
The ladder is taking shape now with a clear top six, including two sides that are yet to be defeated.
TRARALGON Tyers United leapt to the top of the ladder after their 182-point flogging of Rosedale at home.
The Bombers were able to keep Rosedale goalless in two quarters (first and last), while averaging eight goals per term themselves in the 32.14 9206) to 3.6 (24) rout.
Caleb Michie starred with best on ground honours after booting 10 goals. Another nine players found the big sticks including Beau White who nailed six himself.
TTU found themselves in a positive position at quarter time with a 40-0 lead, before they doubled it to 80 points at the main change.
A 10-goal third term put the game to bed, and with a 130-point lead at three-quarter-time, the Bombers were able to add another eight goals in the last term to put the nail in the coffin.
In TTU’s best was Michie, Liam Willaton, Kade Duncan, Michael Jacobsen, White and Jye Neilson.
Rosedale’s best six consisted of Declan Barnett, Jay Diamond, Hayden Bell, James Moulton, Connor Macleod and Will Murray.
As previously mentioned, TTU moves to the top of the ladder with a 4-0 record, now with a greater percentage to Churchill.
AS you might be able to tell, the Cougars also maintained their perfect record, when they dealt with Glengarry at Gaskin Park.
The Magpies didn’t make it easy for the Cougars, staying in touch so Churchill couldn’t have a break.
But in the final quarter and a half, Churchill began to stretch the gap to a more comfortable setting.
A tight opening quarter kept Glengarry just 11 points away, before a late flurry for Churchill in the second term blew the lead out to 22 points at halftime.
The margin remained at 22 points up until three-quarter-time, before Churchill hit the gas and extended out to a 47-point gap, 17.13 (115) to 10.8 (68).
Ben Kearns kicked four majors, while Chris Wangman, who kicked 20 goals in the last two weeks, was kept goalless for the Cougars.
Veteran Brendan Holt was best on ground, kicking three goals, alongside Tyson Leys and Chris Williams.
In the best for Churchill was Holt, Ben Skinner, Joel Mason, Leys, Williams and defender Patrick Kearns.
Spencer Poulton kicked four goals for the visitors, and was within the best, along with Andrew May, Seth Healy, Jack Burgess, Lachlan Patterson and Alex Birmingham.
YALLOURN Yallourn North improved their record to 2-2, after defeating Heyfield by 43 points at George Bates Reserve.
For the visitors, they had a senior debutant in Ed Phelan-Penson.
It was a goal-fest early, with nine goals between the two sides in the opening term, as YYN held a 16-point lead at the first break.
The Jets had multiple chances to extend the lead in the second term, but failed to convert, kicking 1.6 (12) to 2.0 (12), with the lead staying the same at the main break.
A 6.3 (39) to 2.3 (15) third term gave YYN a 40-point buffer into the final change, which from there on in was relatively even in an open scoring final term with five goals scored each, the Jets coming home as 43-point winners, 18.15 (123) to 12.8 (80).
Josh Keyhoe and Dean Macdonald kicked four goals each for the home side, while Keenan Hughes and Dylan Keyhoe kicked three each.
As for the visitors, Mitchell Bennett scored four goals, and was the only multiple goal scorer for the Kangaroos.
In the Jet’s best were Rohan Reid, Mitchell Luck, Hughes, Josh Keyhoe, Dylan Bath and Anthony Young.
And as for Heyfield, Bailey Escreet, Robert McMillan, Asher Eastham, Tyson Birss, Kail Hole and Xander Brooks stood out.
The Jets jumped to sixth on the ladder, just one win from the top four, putting breathing space between themselves and Heyfield in seventh.
A CLOSE start to the Cowwarr versus Woodside game was short lived, when the Wildcats went hell to leather in the second term.
After holding a six-point lead at quarter time, Woodside then kicked 8.8 (56) to 0.1 (1) in the second term to go up by 10 goals at the half.
It didn’t stop there, as they kept the Saints goalless for a second consecutive term, extending the margin out to 88 points.
A calmer final term saw the margin drift over three figures, with Woodside walking away 106-point winners, 20.15 (135) to 4.5 (29).
Daniel Farmer and Michael O’Sullivan kicked five goals each for Woodside. O’Sullivan made the best alongside Joshua Morgan, Josh Scott, Ethan Stephens, Joh Fythe and Thomas Mann.
In Cowwarr’s best was young Rhys Luxford, Jake Brown, Kurt Henderson, Jordan Anderson, Nick Wozniak and Kyle Stamers.
Simultaneously, Woodside spoilt Cowwarr’s party, as they celebrated Shane Morgan for surpassing the club’s games record.
Morgan took to the field for the 312th time, surpassing the record of Andrew ‘Angry’ Hollands.
At halftime of the reserves game, both reserves and senior sides were in the rooms to witness Shane Galea and Steve Cooper present him with his number 12 jumper.
“It’s been an awesome ride, I’m honoured to break the record,” Morgan said.
“Thanks to Gals (Galea), Steve (Cooper) and everyone from the club for everything they have done for me over the journey.
“I look forward to playing on, whether that be at 2pm or 12 o’clock!”
YARRAM bounced back from their Round 3 defeat to TTU, defeating the spirited Tigers at Gormandale Recreation Reserve.
Yarram got the jump in the first term, kicking 6.7 (43) to 1.1 (7), and sadly it didn’t get much better for Gormandale from here.
Yarram then led by 78 at halftime, before a one-sided third term blew the lead out to 130 points.
The Demons made sure of their return to the winner’s list, by sealing a 164-point win, jumping into the finals spot of fifth.
Dylan Garnham kicked six goals for the Demons and was best on ground. Boadie Motton joined him in the best with five goals, while Tyler Chisholm, Matt Clavarino, Kelly Griffiths and Tanner Chisholm were in the best.
Jye Foulkes and Chris Potalej kicked Gormandale’s majors, while Tristan Salerno, Caleb Isherwood, Kodie Owen, Isaac Copland, William Flanagan and Jet Krimhand were in their best.
SALE CITY had the bye.
THERE will only be four fixtures this week in the North Gippsland Football-Netball League, opposed to the normal five, as three teams have the bye.
Heyfield will be tasked with the challenge of the league leaders, Traralgon Tyers United, when they host the Bombers at Gordon Street Reserve.
The Kangaroos have had a challenging run as of late, with Churchill and Yallourn Yallourn North in the last two weeks, and it doesn’t look like it will get any easier for the boys wearing blue and white.
On the other hand, the Bombers have asserted themselves as one of the most dangerous teams in the competition, boasting a percentage of 282.12 per cent.
TTU will be favourites to continue their unbeaten run, with another big win on the cards.
AFTER a big win last week, Yarram will want to continue that run of form when they face Cowwarr.
Dylan Garnham has been unstoppable for Yarram so far this season, after his move from the premiership winning Leongatha in the Gippsland League, and he will be one to watch.
The Saints were dismantled by Woodside last week, while the Demons took care of Gormandale.
Once again, if you’re a tipping person, this might be an easy one to predict, but we always hope for a tighter contest, if it can be provided.
WOODSIDE, who are on a roll, will host Sale City, who are coming off of the bye.
Three of the four teams coming off the bye this season have lost, and Sale City wouldn’t be fancied in this clash either.
Woodside, just like many sides, are in form, and will want to hold onto their momentum for as long as possible.
However, Sale City are the surprise packet of the season so far, sitting in fourth with a 2-1 record.
If there was ever a chance for an upset this round, you might find it at Woodside Recreation Reserve.
LASTLY, Yallourn Yallourn North will want to flip their record with more wins than losses for the first time this season, and a win against Glengarry would do just that.
After starting the season 0-2, the reigning premier has since found their feet and restored normality.
Glengarry were able to stick with Churchill for large portions of their Round 4 clash. If they can do the same, anything will be possible.
CHURCHILL, Gormandale and Rosedale have the bye.
