FOOTBALL
NORTH GIPPSLAND
By TOM HAYES
JUST about every result went as expected during Round 2 of North Gippsland senior football, perhaps just the margins were a little off the mark.
Only four games went ahead at the weekend, due to the split round which sees Yarram and Glengarry do battle later this week on Good Friday (April 18).
Churchill 21.17 (143) def Cowwarr 11.17 (83)
THOMAS ‘Prime Train’ Baulch was a handy addition for Churchill, who hosted and defeated Cowwarr at Gaskin Park.
The undermanned Cougars got their first four points on the board, following a 21.17 (143) to 11.17 (83) scoreline.
It was simply a goal fest in the opening quarter, with six going the way of Churchill and three to the visitors.
The home side maximised their run and carry, both on the wing and through the middle, but most of the damage was done so on the wings.
Baulch was heavily involved up front, either getting on the end of goals or simply getting involved in the build-up.
He garnered extra attention throughout the game but was gifted his first goal through a free kick, followed by a 50-metre penalty, taking him to the goal square.
Despite their slower build-up, Cowwarr did make the most of their chances going forward as well.
Saints co-coach Keenan Hughes copped some flack over the fence but quickly silenced the crowd with a long strike at the booth end. Nonetheless, Churchill led by 20 points at quarter time.
Churchill ran rampant out of the middle of the ground during the second quarter. Centre clearance after centre clearance leading to scores.
Goals came thick and fast for the Cougars, who either ran the goal to the goal line or converted from distance. For Prime Train, his second was snapped from point-blank range and his third was a beautiful set shot from the arc on a 45 degree angle.
The Saints’ more calculated approach just wasn’t as effective against the Cougars, although when they finally made it forward, they threatened the scoreboard.
Churchill had more than doubled Cowwarr’s output at the halfway point of the encounter, leading 13.8 (86) to 6.5 (41).
The game hit a speedbump in the third term, as the heat looked like it was getting to those on the field, with fatigue beginning to roll in.
The ball spent what seemed like an eternity in Cowwarr’s forward half, but to no avail inside the opening minutes of the third term.
Quick transition, again along the wings, broke the run of Cowwarr dominance. Despite this, the Saints won the third quarter but still trailed by 35 points.
Baulch had four majors up until this stage but wasn’t done yet.
The final quarter belonged to the home side, who kicked six goals to two to close out a dominant victory.
Baulch was once again awarded a free kick and 50-metre penalty, bringing him to the goal square for number five, silencing the away fans.
Hughes responded for the Saints, only for it to be nullified by silky goals to Ben Skinner, Rory Peter, and a tricky Joseph Whykes on the goal line.
With no way home for Cowwarr, the siren sounded, 60 points separating the two teams.
Churchill ruckman Liam Bleyswyk was best for the winners. Also mentioned was Whykes, captain Jordan Fenech, Hayden Weir, Sam Robinson, and Jye Williams. Baulch finished with a game-high six majors, Skinner contributed well with four of his own.
For Cowwarr, their best were Braden Paulet, Haydn Hector, Hughes, Shane Morgan, Michael Bloss, and Jake Brown.
Sale City 9.9 (63) def by Heyfield 12.7 (79)
HEYFIELD pinched the four points from Sale City in the final quarter at Stephenson Park, winning 12.7 (79) to 9.9 (63).
The Bulldogs led at every change leading into the last quarter, but fumbled at the very end, conceding four final quarter goals.
Known for the fast starts last season, Sale City booted out to a 21-point lead over the Ross by quarter time, a much better result than the elimination final last season where Heyfield led 52 to nothing.
Sale City maintained their lead throughout the second term, but in doing so kept a young Heyfield side on the front foot.
Nevertheless, three goals a piece in the second term allowed the home side to hold the 22-point advantage at halftime.
Heyfield’s fire was never blown out, as they came storming for the lead in the third quarter, adding another four goals to one, getting well within reaching distance as the final term loomed.
Just three points separated the two sides, with 30 minutes or so of play remaining.
But just like the third term, the fourth was all Heyfield, who again kicked four goals to one, flipping the script on the Bulldogs.
The Kangaroos took the lead from the hosts and didn’t look back, getting out to a 16-point lead by full time to remain undefeated.
Kail Hole, Isaac Wheeler, Shaun Humphreys, Brayden Woodland, Miller Eastham, and Robert McMillan were Heyfield’s best. Darren Sheen kicked four goals in his first game for the Kangaroos, while Kyle Graham kicked three.
For Sale City, Jayden Allison, Kaden McCulloch, Chad Evans, Hudson Tollner, Jaxsyn Whitehill, and Ostin Waugh were outstanding.
YYN 40.15 (255) def Gormandale 3.2 (20)
YALLOURN Yallourn North couldn’t have started its season any better.
The Jets, hosting Gormandale, sailed to a 235-point thumping at George Bates Reserve.
Not much else can be said besides what else can be expected from YYN now.
They look to be one of the contenders this season, and a match-up against better opposition might just help us decide how they stack up.
Nonetheless, the hosts booted 10 first-quarter goals to one, to lead by 55 points at the quarter time break.
They went one better in the second term, adding another 11 goals – this time to nothing, surpassing the triple digit mark, all while the margin reached 127 points at halftime.
The Jets piled on nine more goals to one in the third, as they edged ever so much closer to the 200 mark.
The final siren couldn’t have come any sooner for Gormandale, who trailed by 179 points at three quarter time.
But another 10 goal to one final term was the icing on the cake for such a consistent YYN performance, which saw them claim the four points and a ton of percentage in the 40.15 (255) to 3.2 (20) hammering.
Tyler Brown was the Jets’ best, with two goals to his name. He was well assisted by Jai Massese, Dean Macdonald (11 goals), Dylan Bath (three), Blair Clymo (six), and Riley Byrne.
The Jets had seven multiple goal scorers, six of which with three or more.
For Gormandale, their best included Jet Krimhand, Riley Jenkins, Tom Said, Campbell Peavey, Jesse Siddle, and Flynn Roscoe.
Rosedale 9.8 (62) def by Woodside 12.17 (89)
ROSEDALE was close, but not close enough in its pursuit of four points against reigning premier, Woodside.
The Wildcats managed to stay ahead despite the close proximity the margin kept the two in, winning by 27 points on the Blues’ turf.
Both sides had three majors after the first half an hour, but more chances went the way of the Wildcats, who led by just four points at quarter time.
Nothing could separate the two sides again in the second term, this time they were literally even, both adding 3.2 (20), as Woodside maintained their four-point lead.
The reigning premier blew the doors wide open in the third term to get Rosedale off their backs, kicking four goals to one in the third quarter, allowing them some breathing room as a tense final quarter awaited.
With 30 minutes left, Woodside had produced a four-goal lead – one that wouldn’t allowed the hosts to catch up and attempt a comeback.
Two goals went either way in the final term, again with more change going Woodside’s way, as they closed out winners 12.17 (89) to 9.8 (62).
Zac Richards was Woodside’s best on the day with four goals. Also highlighted was Jeremy Morgan, Joshua Morgan, Cooper Ryan, Ryan Foat and Daniel Missen.
For Rosedale, Brandon McConnell, Spencer and Harper Fox, Jackson Bruce, Caleb Barnett, and Blake Safstrom were shining lights.
TTU had the bye. Yarram will host Glengarry in the second week of the split round on Good Friday (April 18).
