GARFIELD had to labour hard for a nine point victory over a resilient Buln Buln last weekend.
The Stars struggled to play with fluency, and being unfamiliar with the narrow Buln Buln ground, regularly kicked the ball out on the full.
Matthew Hobbs starred when he was moved into the centre in the second half and his constructive use of the ball was the difference between the sides. He received great support from skilful Darwin recruit Luke Bee Hugo, who also used the ball creatively, while Ned Marsh finished off much of the good work up field with four goals.
Coach Brent Eastwell relished the opportunity to play against his former club, where he won four best and fairest awards, and was always in the thick of the action. Ben Marsh hit the packs hard and pumped the ball forward regularly and Phil Burns was his ever reliable self in defence.
There was a lot to like about Buln Buln and if the Lyrebirds don’t make the top six, they will surely play a big part in shaping it. New ruck Brendan Fredericks gave the Lyrebirds plenty of impetus early, coach Daniel Charles was superb in and around the midfield in the first half and centre half back Ricky Hayes proved hard to pass. Mark Symons and Dean Black strived hard and provided plenty of close checking in defence and 16 year -old Jake Mullen covered plenty of ground. He took a number of telling marks and looks a fine prospect.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:GOON TOO GOOD
NAR NAR Goon’s solid form continued when it accounted for Poowong by 60 points.
The Goon packed too many guns, led by Beaconsfield recruit Luke McConnell, who showed good skill and judgement and steered through seven goals. It could have been more if he made the most of his opportunities. Ruck rover Matt Wade ran hard and was the conduit behind many forward thrusts and the nimble footwork of Kevin Quinn and Chris Adams also helped launch a big number of Goon offensives.
Talls Nick Mulcahy and Travis Simpkin battled well and managed to quell the influence of their more heralded opponents in Connor Cunningham and Chris Wylie, the latter who played senior VFL football for the Casey Scorpions over the last two weeks. On the downside for the Goon, both Brett Dore and Chris Jones were reported and will miss next week’s important clash against Catani. Emerging Poowong and Gippsland Power youngster Ben Hancock kicked four goals and gave the Goon defence plenty of trouble while Dave Miller, Glen Attenborough, Ben Henshall and Dale Alanis snaffled many disposals through the midfield.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:TIGERS RIP THROUGH BOMBERS
A 12-GOAL second half by Lang Lang gave the Tigers an easy 75 point victory over Nilma Darnum.
The Bombers only trailed by 17 points at half time but fell into a hole after the main break. The Tigers were well served by Jarrod and Bryce Tonks, along with Sean Dwyer, who always kept pushing the ball forward. Kurt Batt was good at both ends, half back Bodie Brown did well and is showing an enjoyment for senior football and David Williams and Aiden Brown were good forward targets, kicking four goals apiece. Nilma midfielders Michael Mooney, Darren Arezzolo and James Hamill weighed in with plenty of disposals and Jack Tatterson showed good hands and kicked three goals to be the best of the Bomber forwards.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:SAINTS BLACK AND BLUE
CATANI crushed Nyora by 68 points. The Saints were competitive until half time, before the Blues flexed their muscles in the second half and the Saints ran out of manpower due to a few key injuries, namely to key defender Andrew Collis and ruckman Clint Wilson.
Antonio Benevenuto was a stand out and with his silky skills and five goals and was widely viewed as best on ground. Berwick recruit Andrew Morozoff led well and was prominent across the half forward line, Russell Lehman, Matt Campbell and Luke Failla picked up big numbers midfield and Jason Nibbs stopped his former team mate Paul Youle from making a big impact. For Nyora, central defenders Brodie Yapp and Nick Fairbank had a real dip, wingman Clinton Yapp produced good drive and Glen Tempany, back at the club from Doveton, bagged four goals. Nyora was well fancied to be a top six chance, but with only two wins its finals chances appear slim.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:CATS ACCOUNT FOR CROWS
NEERIM Neerim South slayed Longwarry by 111 points.
The Crows were left on the canvas after conceding six opening quarter goals while failing to score a major. From then on, the only interest revolved around what the end margin would be. The Crows were powerless to stop 2009 league best and fairest Chris Urie who played a blinder and kicked 10 goals. Ruckman Matt Young, in his first game back this season due to injury, made his presence felt with many marks acks Darren Ratten and Mick Urie, midfielder Luke Nobelius and defender Danny Sheehan all made significant contributions.
For the Crows, Ben Cuckson, Aaron Serong, Ben Garritty and Leigh McDonald tried hard but to little purpose, while veteran ruckman Luke Tymensen showed he still had plenty to offer with a determined performance all over the ground.
