By Mark Gullick
NARRE WARREN continued its good form with a 98-point drubbing of ROC at Kalora Park.
The Magpies led by 34 points at the first break and subsequently won the next three quarters to record a massive win, which pleased coach Matt Shinners.
“Considering the conditions after half-time, we played four really good quarters of footy. We had a lot of good contributions from everyone and everyone played their part.”
The Magpies began strongly and were never threatened.
“We started the game really well and probably should have gone in at quarter-time having kicked 10 goals,” Shinners said. “We certainly got plenty of the footy and capitalised going forward. The guys did a terrific job with the way they handled the ball.
“We had a good preparation during the week, the attitude (of the guys) before the game was really good.”
After seven rounds, ROC is winless and sit 10th on the ladder and Shinners empathises with their plight.
“It’s unfortunate for ROC,” he said. “They’ve had an influx of 25 new players this year, and last year they were really competitive but this year they’ve probably dropped away a little bit. But they are on the right track by playing some of the young kids and it’s going to take time.”
Brett Evans and Jackson Parker formed a strong forward combination and kicked 10 goals between them, Evans contributing six.
Michael Collins starred in the midfield. Daniel Field, Chris Collins, Ben Wragg and Cole Harvey were prominent around the ground.
ROC coach Kris Fletcher led from the front and tried hard in the midfield, as did Michael Brown, James Johnstone and Ben Tivendale. Ruckman Dane Roy had an influence on the contest and midfielder Phil Nanfra played well.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Tooradin v Doveton
DOVETON won its second successive match with a 14-point win over a gallant Tooradin.
The Doves established an early lead and went into half-time 39 points in front.
However, once the rain hit, the Seagulls fought back and scored five goals to two in the second half.
Had they kicked straighter, they may have snatched a win.
Doveton coach Mark Ladgrove was pleased with the win, despite believing his team was outplayed.
“It was a funny day; the game seemed to be played in two halves,” Ladgrove said. “The first half, we were on top and running the ball pretty well. Once the heavens opened, Tooradin’s strong bodies in the contest dominated in the second half and in the end we were lucky to get away with a win.”
After a poor start to the season, Ladgrove is aiming to square his team’s win-loss record.
He warned other teams not to take Tooradin as easybeats.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if Tooradin notched up a few wins. If anyone took them lightly they could come undone,” Ladgrove said.
Tooradin coach Chad Liddell was ruing his team’s poor start.
“We didn’t play a very good first half and after that we were playing catch-up unfortunately,” Liddell said. “When the rain came it did suit us, but when you give a team a seven goal start, it’s really hard to come back.”
“It was a game that got away from us. After half-time, (the players) did respond which was good and I guess it showed the team we can play good footy.”
Despite being winless, Liddell is pleased with the development of his younger players.
“They’re coming along in leaps and bounds,” he said. “As the season goes along, they’ll get better and better. It’s hard for them though. We’ve still got six or seven players that are playing their first year of senior footy and we’ve just got to keep developing them. But they’ll get better as time goes on.”
Ryan Hendy kicked five goals for Doveton and was a good player. Simon Black, Shaun Semmens, Michael Henry and Ryan Pearson were busy around the ground, while Vergim Faik was excellent in the ruck.
For Tooradin, Adam Galea, Aaron and Rohan Hyde and Scott Fawkner were prominent around the ground. Adam Splatt and Ben Disney defended strongly.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Cranbourne v Keysborough
CRANBOURNE flogged Keysborough by 15 goals at a boggy Casey Fields on Sunday.
The Eagles were kept goalless in the opening term as Keysborough slipped out to an 11-point lead.
But over the next three quarters, Cranbourne kicked 15 straight goals.
They kicked six goals in the second term, three in the third and six in the last before the Burras, via Tyson King, kicked a goal at the 28 minute mark of the final term.
Tempers flared towards the end of the second term when Cranbourne’s Justin Berry was dumped in the middle of the ground. He received a free kick and two-50 metre penalties and kicked a goal.
There was more push and shove after the siren sounded to end the second term.
Cranbourne played a very good match. They were hard at the ball and, despite the conditions, were very skilful.
The win pleased Cranbourne coach Doug Koop.
“We would’ve been happy with a five or six goal win in those conditions,” he said. “The boys finished off the game very well and we got a good boost of percentage.
“We anticipated a fairly tough game and in the first quarter, they were looking very dangerous.”
For Cranbourne, Ray George was excellent in the midfield and Matthew Thompson was strong in defence. Midfielder Stuart Morrish and winger Ryan Jones gathered many possessions, while Matthew Fletcher kicked six goals, including four in the final term. Captain Marc Holt was prominent in the forward line.
However, it was a really solid team effort from Cranbourne and every player did his bit.
“The improvement I’ve noticed from last year is that we do have even contributions,” Koop said. “One week it’s Fletcher kicking six and the next week it’s Holty or Curtise Barker. We’re certainly not relying on a couple of players to get us over the line each week, which is good.”
Keysborough had few winners, but Waata Wells, King and Ryan Goodes tried hard through the midfield. Greg Walker performed well in the forward line, while Dean Gentle and Corey Wilkinson were notable in defence.
