EDFL match of the day

By Ken Moore
PREMIERSHIP aspirants Nar Nar Goon opened the season with a convincing 41-point victory over Bunyip on Saturday.
The Goon owes its victory over the Bulldogs to a strong start when it piled on five unanswered goals with the aid of the wind in the first quarter to take a 30-point lead into the quarter-time break.
Thereafter the game was relatively even, but never hit any great heights and largely turned into a battle of defences.
The Goon entered the game without its assistant coach, star VFL Frankston recruit and former junior star Brett Dore, sidelined due to a foot injury he sustained while on holidays over the Easter break.
Both teams suffered key injuries during the course of the game that made their coaching staff work overtime.
The Goon’s lead at the first break was due to a far superior midfield led by freewheeling ruck-rover Matt Wade, classy work by 2008 league medallist Andrew Oldmeadow and two goals from opportunist forward Shannon Stocco.
Matt Keane and Brent Hughes also provided many timely interceptions and good run out of defence in a torrid quarter that featured many terrific physical contests.
Unfortunately for Bunyip the wind died in the second quarter when kicking with it, but did manage to reduce the margin slightly and go into half-time facing a 25-point deficit.
The Bulldogs competitiveness during the term was led by Doveton recruit and centreman Callum Pattie with strong assistance from the plucky defender Stuart Edwards and wingman Robbie Lee.
Nar Nar Goon extended its lead early in the third quarter with an early goal by full-forward Chris Jones and attacked regularly during the term, but hit the post on three occasions which kept the score line from blowing out to a match-winning margin.
In the dying minute of the quarter a six-pointer by livewire forward Dean Kelly put the Goon 44 points up and firmly in the driver’s seat at the last break.
The Bulldogs misdirected too many kicks and fumbled too many marks during the quarter.
Small Bunyip forward Paul Carmody toe-poked a goal early in the last quarter to give the Bulldogs a glimmer of hope, but their challenge was soon snuffed out after a third goal by Chris Jones, which was quickly followed by another to Ben Scanlon, after the now veteran forward reeled in a wonderful pack mark and kicked truly.
Outpointed through the middle the Bulldogs could only generate forward attacks in dribs and drabs.
Star recruit Danny Casset was restricted to only one goal, a combination of tight marking by his former Doveton team-mate Tommy Hallinan and limited opportunities.
Brent Hughes and Jack Fitzpatrick offered plenty of solid defence and youngster Chris Chilcott played a fine game.
Callum Pattie showed he will be a vital cog in their side, Stephen Henwood did well to stymie the output of Goon dynamo Matt Wade in the second half and debutant Tim Edwards did some nice things in defence and shapes as a good long term prospect.
A disappointed Bunyip Coach Steve Henwood conceded after the match they were too sharp in the corridor and they had too many passengers.
Among the better players for the Goon in a good team effort were Ben Scanlon, who floated all over the forward line, Matt Wade and Dean Kelly who ran tirelessly and Travis Simpkin looms as a likely improver after he put in a solid performance in the ruck.
Goon coach Clint Williams said he was pleased with the pressure they put on the opposition, but their ball movement wasn’t too flash.
“There is plenty of room for improvement with our disposal,” he said.
The Goon’s victory was soured with first-half injuries to Doveton recruit Daniel Zhajac (suspected broken jaw) and ROC recruit Kevin Quinn (concussion).
Bunyip also suffered a major blow when it’s well-performed and up-and-coming ruckman Marc Rotunno suffered an injury late in the first half that resulted in him being taken to hospital.