FOOTBALL

By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

 

EVERYONE who tuned into North Gippsland football last round must thank the collective of Heyfield, Rosedale, Traralgon Tyers United and Cowwarr for saving what could have been a complete snorefest.

Three of the five games in Round 10 all went close to a 20-goal margin, or even well beyond that, but due to the aforementioned sides, it didn’t make it all too bad.

 

Heyfield 9.9 (63) def Rosedale 7.5 (47)

THE Kangaroos got back on their bike with a gutsy performance over a building Rosedale in Round 10 of North Gippsland football.

Out at Gordon Street Reserve, Heyfield was made to work for the winning result, but got by nonetheless with a 16 point victory, 9.9 (63) to 7.5 (47).

While the Kangaroos had suffered successive losses before the weekend to the two proceeding premiers (TTU and Woodside), the Blues had claimed wins in four of the previous five matches played.

Despite being played at home, this was going to be a real test for a Heyfield side desperately trying to cling to a top three position on the ladder, and they would have welcomed a challenge on the day instead of an easy rollover.

A desperate battle was played out in the first quarter, with both sides eyeing finals, either was not prepared to give an inch.

That was proven in the first minutes of the game as Rosedale’s Blake Safstrom threw himself into a pack inside Heyfield’s forward 50, coming in from the side and going over the top of multiple players, unlucky not to have been claimed the spectacular mark by the umpire.

Despite the equal amounts of pressure, Heyfield nailed the first punch with a stoppage win in the middle, facing the sticks as Tyson Graham sent on through the middle for the first goal of the day.

Just a few minutes later, the Kangaroos coughed up with a costly turnover exiting their backline, which immediately found the Blues’ Spencer Fox, who went back and nailed their first.

Rosedale continued to control possession for a majority of the first term, and even when Heyfield looked dangerous in an attacking position, the Blues sent multiple defenders at each of Kangaroos coach Leigh Brown and fellow key forward Darren Sheen (who returned after not playing against TTU).

Using the corridor and kicking efficiently, Rosedale found Fox again on a lead after utilising just a few field kicks from deep in their backline, and Fox capped it off to take a five-point edge.

The Kangaroos nailed the first punch of the second term from Sheen, who made little work of his opponent and swung around on his right close to home while being tackled.

They continued to hunt and followed up almost instantly, with another major from Kyle Graham to extend the lead to seven points.

Rosedale didn’t stop however, staving off Heyfield’s pressure to win the ball in the contest outright, especially from the likes of Declan Barnett, who found Fox again for his third and to tie up the match.

In a game played in close quarters, the goal scorers stood strong in the first half, and Fox added a fourth shortly after to get his side back in front, and when the Kangaroos looked to turn the switch immediately after, Sheen missed an easy one from 20 metres out.

Rosedale’s Will Logan banged home one on a tight angle just before halftime to take a 10 point lead at the main break.

While Heyfield knew they had to lift – to avoid costing them perhaps their most disappointing loss of the season – just 40 seconds into the third term, Rosedale found Logan out the back after Fox again flew at the ball in the air, giving them a 15 point edge.

It could have been even better for the Blues, who won the ball out of the middle again to find Fox, who went back but missed his opportunity.

Even with that, Rosedale weren’t giving an inch with play beginning to get a little chippy.

Heyfield finally got a chance as Sheen took down a clean contested grab close to home and sent it through.

That lit the spark that was needed, and the Kangaroos were able to capitalise with five of the final six goals of the day – four of those coming from Sheen.

Even with all the attention going towards him, Sheen found time to slot the one that gave Heyfield the lead for the first time since the early stages of the second quarter.

The smarts of Brown were on display when moved out of the forward line, not just to create a spare at the contest and behind play, but also to give space to Sheen – who shortly after bodied well to go back and nail the sealer.

Sheen, in the end, booted five, all in the second half, with Robert McMillan, Will Kelly, Thomas Marchesi, Max Gravener and Dylan Patmore all standout contributors for the Kangaroos.

A win like this does wonders for Heyfield’s confidence as they move forward, who now travel to Yarram for another testing affair.

Despite the result, and now holding on dearly for fifth spot on the ladder, the Blues should hang their heads high for their performance.

Luke Stuckey, Thomas Northe, Harper Fox, Declan Barnett, Jay Diamond and Spencer Fox, with an equal-best five goals, were Rosedale’s best players.

 

TTU 13.16 (94) def Cowwarr 8.6 (54)

THE Bombers dug deep.

TTU displayed their premiership prowess to withstand a firing Cowwarr unit, in the end winning by 40 points, 13.16 (94) to 8.6 (54).

Played at Cowwarr Recreation Reserve, each side went out with confidence, which equalled to a tight, low-scoring opening.

The Bombers still found time to take an eight-point lead at quarter time, but the Saints were right there.

That momentum continued in the second term, and while TTU banged home three goals towards halftime, Cowwarr did equally as much to sit right there, ready to take the game when play returned.

Belief was sensed from the Saints faithful, when the match was tied all up midway through the third quarter after goals from Kyle Stamers and Matt Johnston.

However, TTU combatted with back-to-back majors that quickly extended the margin out to 13 points.

Despite Ash Smith returning the favour for Cowwarr, bringing it back to seven points, the Bombers flipped into focus and continued through to the last term with the next five goals to shut down all possibilities of a Saints upset.

William Curtain was best for the winners, followed by Frazar Brouns with three goals, Kade Duncan, Stuart Goddard, Quinn Sinclair and Sam Curtain.

TTU have now run out of the gate with an undefeated nine win start, making them the consensus favourite for a second flag in three years.

Cowwarr impressed many with three hard-fought quarters, but couldn’t sustain it during the most crucial stages.

Benjamin Rioli, Daniel Weetra, Patrick Tainsh, Haydn Hector, Ben Coffey and Robbie Farnham stood up for the Saints.

 

YYN 35.14 (224) def Churchill 2.6 (18)

JETTING through from start to finish.

YYN was untouchable at George Bates Reserve against Churchill, completing their second 200-point win of the season in a 35.14 (224) to 2.6 (18) effort.

The Jets went over the 50-point and 100-point lead in relatively short time in the first half, and didn’t let up as play returned.

The Cougars were almost held goal-less, but managed majors before the day was done through two first-year senior players Lleyton Hecker and Tyson Crawford.

This was perhaps one of the toughest days of the season for Churchill, who were forced to call-up multiple thirds footballers to double up on games for the day.

YYN featured playing-coach Dean MacDonald with a bag of 10, while Dylan Kehoe finished close behind with nine goals.

Dylan Bath (three goals), Jai Massese (two), Lucas Fry and Riley Byrne were others to play well.

The Jets now move closer and closer to stealing a double chance in finals, being a game behind Heyfield for third place on the ladder.

Nick Twomey, Billy Wight, Jordan Fenench, Joe Whykes, Lucas Marino and Christopher Gardiner were named in the best for Churchill.

 

Yarram 23.17 (155) def Gormandale 5.5 (35)

THE Demons did a number on Gormandale.

Yarram defeated the Tigers, 23.17 (155) to 5.5 (35) at Gormandale Recreation Reserve to collect their fourth win for the season.

The Demons banged on 13 goals to nothing heading towards halftime, and almost doubled their score in the second half.

Gormandale added a couple of goals, but again couldn’t keep close with their opponent.

Liam Bentley was best afield for Yarram, followed by Kayleb Pearce, Matt Clavarino, Dylan Garnham, Cody Harrison and Ben Mattern.

Taylen Griffiths finished with a season-best six goals in his first senior game for the year, while Josh Swift added five. The Demons had seven multiple goal scorers.

The Demons, after a frustrating start to the season, move to equal-fifth on the ladder with Rosedale and Sale City.

Jarvis Kirk, Flynn Roscoe, Isaac Copland, Cooper Jeffries, Liam Deering and Marshall Cropley were admirable for the Tigers.

 

Woodside 24.23 (167) def Glengarry 7.6 (48)

READYING for their next matchup, Woodside made light work of Glengarry.

The Wildcats smacked on 24.23 (167) to the Magpies 7.6 (48) to take home their ninth straight win.

Woodside opened with the first five goals at Fred King Oval to prove their worth and knock any hope of being caught off guard.

They continued into the second quarter and towards halftime, with a 49-point lead at the main break.

An even better scoring output of 13 goals in the second half meant the match was done and dusted at three quarter time.

Thomas King, Luke Johnson, Zac Richards (eight goals), Josh Kennedy, Liam Leeson and Jeremy Morgan were best for the Wildcats, who await a pivotal match in two weeks time.

After the bye this weekend, Woodside ready for a Grand Final rematch against TTU.

Austin Blackford, Thomas Harris, Declan Massaro, Callum Mitchell, Andrew May and Jack Burgess were named in the best for Glengarry.

 

SALE CITY had the bye.