EDFL review – round 4

By Ken Moore
LANG Lang showed plenty of fortitude to beat swampland neighbours and fellow finals aspirants Kooweerup by 29 points.
The visiting Demons trailed by seven points at three-quarter-time but kicking with the aid of a two to three-goal wind in the last term – and to the end where 12 of the 14 goals to three-quarter-time were scored – they looked to be in the driver’s seat.
Disappointingly for Demons fans, their side tired badly and could manage only two behinds in last term while the Tigers rattled on four goals.
Against the run of play Kooweerup scored the opening goal of the game at the 10-minute mark when a spearing pass from Jason Williams set up tall forward James Alexander, who went back and kicked truly.
For the rest of the quarter Lang Lang moved the ball far more effectively and with consecutive marks and goals by ruckman Ben Dwyer, who returned to the club this season after a long stint with Rosebud, the Tigers opened up an eight-point break mid term.
It extended the lead with late goals to David Williams and youngster Aiden Brown to go into the quarter time huddle with a 20-point advantage.
Lang Lang started the game with star forward Kurt Batt at centre half-back and Dwyer up forward and these moves appeared to catch the visitors off guard.
The Tigers’ lead was down to Batt, who was rock solid, ruckman Chris McCurdy did a good job around the field, runners Jake Dwyer and Clint Fulton were often in the thick of the action and veteran Adam Baxter carried the ball out defence to set up many forward thrusts.
Kooweerup lifted its intensity at the start of the second quarter, attacked regularly and was rewarded with goals by young Narre Warren recruit Ayden Mills, Gavin Marusic, Brett Hobson and former Gippsland Power utility Jack Carson to take the upper hand and a nine-point lead at half-time.
The Demons’ resurgence was led by ruckman Matt Cameron, who came off the interchange bench while midfielders Jason Williams, Josh Winter and Gavin Marusic were all prominent.
Star midfielder Rhys Morgan had a tremendous duel with experienced Tiger Jason Kelly and started to escape his clutches in the second term while Craig Dyker, Tony Butera and Dan Mullen provided plenty of resolute defence.
Lang Lang started the third quarter with goal by Dwyer, with a somewhat lucky free kick after his teammate Kurt Batt was judged to be tackled late after getting rid of the ball.
This was quickly followed by a major to Baxter after he swooped on a loose ball and showed good composure to thread it home.
Mid-term Brett Hobson pulled a goal back for the Demons before goals by Bryce Tonks with a nice snap and Chris McCurdy with long kick after siren gave the home side a seven-point advantage at the last break.
McCurdy’s kick from about 50 metres suggested the breeze advantage could still favour the Demons in the last quarter.
Lang Lang coach Clint Evans urged his charges to dig deep in the last quarter and they duly responded. Emerging forward Aiden Brown stood up with two good marks and goals to give the Tigers a 19-point cushion at the six-minute mark, which appeared to break the back of the Demons.
From then on Kooweerup’s play lacked zing and it was quite clear it was running on empty. Further goals by Rhys Nisbet and David Williams mid-term sealed the victory for Lang Lang. The Demons’ last-quarter fade-out was best illustrated by the fact they only laid one effective tackle in the entire quarter.
Lang Lang won because it simply worked harder and wanted the ball more.
Clint Evans was a relieved man after the game. “It was a courageous effort,” he said. “During the week I questioned their character but to their credit they bounced back.
Many of our blokes had a quiet first half but stood up in the second half when it counted, which was a good sign.”
Regular star forward Kurt Batt read play superbly in a central defensive role, youngsters Sean Dwyer, Bodie Brown, Ricky Caddell and Dylan Mitchell offered heaps of run and carry out of defence and through the middle and the Tonks brothers, Bryce and Jarrod, along with Adam Baxter all made many vital contributions.
Kooweerup coach Paul Williams lamented his team’s turnovers and mistakes and was disappointed his team conceded six 50-metre penalties, which made the difference in the end.
“We played far below our capability and if we don’t take responsibility for our performance we will continue to put in these sub-standard performances,” he said.
Quite often his players did not follow instructions to enter their forward zone with a methodical build-up and just pumped the ball forward with hope, which often played into the hand of the Lang Lang defence.
Demons utility Ben Miller played a terrific game at both ends of the field and received great support from centreman Jason Williams and these two were by far the best for Kooweerup.
Ruckman Matt Cameron, despite coming into the game with a dose of the flu mid-week, was competitive while Daniel Mullen, Jack Carson and Rhys Morgan all had a red-hot go. Brett Hobsen, Ayden Mills and Gavin Marusic all caught the eye in patches.
Little separated either side and Kooweerup appeared to get the wrong end of a few contentious umpiring decisions. Both sides should be right in the mix for fifth and sixth spot on the ladder, if they can play at their optimum level.