FOOTBALL
NORTH GIPPSLAND
By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
LOOK, when it’s this late in the season and the finals-ready sides have cast their eyes towards the bigger picture, while others have begun to unwind from a difficult year and make way for their next run of things, is it that surprising in terms of the results that played out at the weekend?
Nothing was close in Round 15 of North Gippsland, in fact, you’d be hard pressed to find that many games across one day in the one league be that convincing.
But if those gawking at the scoreboards dug a little deeper, you’d see a matchup between a previously undefeated side on top of the ladder playing seventh, second versus 10th, third facing 11th, fourth battling ninth, and fifth taking on eighth.
TTU 19.17 (131) def Yarram 3.3 (21)
ONE of a few games that was anticipated heading into the weekend, Traralgon Tyers United returned to their winning ways ever so comfortably, taking down Yarram, 19.17 (131) to 3.3 (21) at Tyers Recreational Reserve.
After starting the season with 11 straight wins, the Bombers faced some peril when they were finally downed by Rosedale the week prior, meaning TTU had some things they needed to get off their chest.
The Bombers unloaded on the travelling Demons to the tune of 110 points, returning to their unrelenting ways in due part to their disciplined defence.
After the game began somewhat spiritedly contested, with Yarram kicking two of the first three goals of the game, they would only be limited to one more the rest of the way.
Halftime arrived with TTU ahead by 53 points, but the dismantling in the second half reached even greater heights with the Demons kept to one point in the latter hour of play.
The Bombers didn’t need to dominate on the scoreboard, but they did all that was necessary with a further eight goals in the second half to blow the margin out beyond triple figures.
Sam Curtain was best afield for TTU, alongside Justin Savige, Frazar Brouns, Nicholas Fox, Michael Jacobsen, and Jye Neilson.
The Bombers featured five multiple goal scorers, led by a returning Neilson with four and Fox with three.
Daniel Vardy, Kayleb Pearce, Liam Bentley, Tom Mattern, Dylan Garnham, and Jack Fisher-Aldridge were amongst Yarram’s best.
The significant loss also officially eliminates the Demons from finals contention, but they will hope to ruffle some feathers and still shake up the competition the rest of the way home, beginning with a matchup this weekend against Rosedale at Yarram Recreation Reserve.
TTU, on the other hand, prepare for Churchill at Gaskin Park – most likely an even bigger defeat for the Bombers and would be a welcomed, yet not necessary, percentage boost.
Currently, TTU are already 45 percent clear of next best Woodside, despite the nearest sides (including Heyfield) yet to have their byes, which arrives this weekend.
YYN 25.11 (161) def Cowwarr 9.4 (58)
AN impressive turnaround for the Jets to keep their season alive.
If Yallourn Yallourn North had of succumbed to Cowwarr, just a week after letting their biggest scalp of the season slip through their fingers, it would most likely signal a fate that would see them miss finals for the first time in over a decade.
However, with a 25.11 (161) to 9.4 (58) finish at Cowwarr Recreational Reserve, the Jets keep themselves a live chance for a postseason berth with practically three straight elimination finals to go in the home-and-away season.
What was a welcome result for YYN supporters, was also something the side knew they had to drill into existence.
Earlier in the season, the Jets only managed to defeat the Saints by just shy of five goals at home, not overly convincing, and given Cowwarr has only improved in the backend of the season, meant YYN had to make a statement of some sorts.
While the Jets booted the opening two goals of the game, it appeared as though a good contest would be on display, with the Saints matching that and then some with the following three majors to hit the front.
Cowwarr’s early surge was led by former YYN key forward Keenan Hughes, who slotted two in the first quarter to help the Saints to a 26-19 lead at the first break.
What could have been suspected after that? Most likely not what eventuated.
Bang went YYN, who proceeded to return to the field almost an entirely different side, running crazy across the deck.
The Jets pumped the ball into their forwards with an output not seen beforehand, leading to a second quarter of nine goals to one.
Despite facing a deficit a short while ago, the Jets were all of a sudden 42 points clear of the home side.
The party continued for YYN as play returned after halftime, with multiple goal-scoring runs that only began to tick the margin further and further up.
Finishing off with a six goals to one final term, the Jets exited the field happy with what had unfolded, a comprehensive win had them outscore Cowwarr 22 goals to five after quarter time.
However, the YYN group were equally focussed on what was needed from them the rest of the season to keep their finals hopes alive.
Tyler Brown stood tall in the Jets significant win through the middle of the ground, followed by Lucas Fry, Hayden Mowat, Rohan Reid, Todd Dixon, and Darcy Shellcot.
The result was further accentuated by the efforts of playing coach Dean MacDonald with a seven-goal haul, Josh Keyhoe (six), Dylan Keyhoe (four), Lachlan Rees (three), and Blair Clymo (two).
Haydn Hector, Hughes (six goals), Jackson Davison, Shane Morgan, Lee and James Bourke performed admirably for the Saints.
Cowwarr will hope to get back on the winner’s list when they do battle against Gormandale this weekend at Gormandale Recreation Reserve, while YYN push to make it two in a row when they face Glengarry at George Bates Reserve.
Heyfield 20.15 (135) def Gormandale 3.2 (20)
HEYFIELD did all that was needed to keep themselves in striking distance.
With the Kangaroos knocking on the door of top spot, right amongst TTU and Woodside for that right, in all due respect, they weren’t that concerned with Gormandale.
Heyfield won 20.15 (135) to 3.2 (20) at Gordon Street Reserve, pushing them to equal wins with the Bombers and the Wildcats.
Perhaps playing with their food a little, the Kangaroos didn’t start off great, with a number of shots going awry in front of goal, but still sat above at the first break by 17 points.
Celebrations were lit early with senior debutant Phoenix Cox booting the opening goal of the match, sending the home crowd and players ablaze – only more was to come from the under 18s player.
Heyfield would then go into halftime after booting the sole three goals of the second quarter, opening up a 35-point lead.
The Kangaroos would then return, shutting out the Tigers to no score, while providing a seven-goal term in their own right, as the floodgates began to swing open.
Heyfield finished with six goals to one in the final quarter, including a two-goal period from young Cox.
On debut, Cox would feature as one of the standout players for the Kangaroos with a game-high five goals, with Kail Hole, Caleb Ronan, Daniel Burton, Kyle Graham, and Jack Christian as other key contributors.
Liam Deering, Flynn Roscoe, Jesse Siddle, Riley Hughes, Damien Paul, and Bailey Forrest were amongst Gormandale’s best.
While the Tigers keep their eyes steady on this weekend’s matchup against Cowwarr at home in an effort to break their three-year drought, Heyfield welcome the bye before two more matches pre-finals.
Sale City 20.11 (131) def Glengarry 8.5 (53)
THE Bulldogs continue to impress late into the season.
Sale City downed Glengarry in what appeared to be a close contest early, winning 20.11 (131) to 8.5 (53) at Glengarry Recreation Reserve.
Despite being the closest margin of the round, nothing could withstand the Bulldogs urgency to keep themselves above the rest of the pack doing battle for the final two spots in the top five, with them sitting fourth by the end of the weekend.
The Magpies opened at home confidently, with three of the first four goals of the game, which quizzed onlookers if Glengarry was up for the fight.
Despite Sale City taking the last two majors of the first quarter, the Magpies still led at quarter time by two points.
After that opening half an hour, it was all Bulldogs from there on out.
Sale City booted seven of the next eight goals to halftime, blowing the margin in their favour out to 38 points at the main break.
While a stalemate quarter opened the second half with two goals apiece in the third term, the Bulldogs would total Glengarry’s fortunes with six straight goals to open the fourth quarter and finish with eight of the last 10 majors to bring the margin to its largest of the day.
Kaden McCulloch and Chad Evans 13 combined goals led the way for Sale City, including Lachlan Carman, Hudson Tollner, Daine McGuiness, and Jaxsyn Whitehill amongst their best.
Michael Ryan, Jordan Thomas, Jet Hodges, Austin Blackford, Hudson Whateley, and Nathan Larkin featured as Glengarry’s best players.
The Magpies will wish to respond accordingly when they travel to play YYN this weekend, while Sale City have the week off.
ROSEDALE had the bye.
