SECOND placed Nar Nar Goon struggled to push aside sixth placed Neerim Neerim South on Saturday.
Both teams went goal for goal and tit for tat the whole game and there was nothing in it until the Goon broke clear with two late goals to prevail by 18 points and preserve their undefeated record at home this season.
Tight accountable football, in tandem with a “careful does it” approach from both sides, ensured goals were hard to come by and only two points separated the sides in a low scoring affair at the main break.
The Goon controlled play and threatened to blow the game open in the third quarter but for all their possession and inside 50 entries, they could only set up an 11 point buffer at three quarter time. Neerim hit back in the last quarter and after goals by Chris Urie and Luke Nobelius, only trailed by six points with five minutes to go.
However, the home supporters breathed a sigh of relief when Brodie Howe and Luke McConnell steered through the last two goals of the game to put down a gallant effort by the visitors. For the Goon, Brett Dore, despite close attention from former Warragul utility Nick Humphrey, had his customary influence across centre half forward and shone with eight marks when the game was on the line in the tense last quarter.
Chris Jones managed to escape the clutches of his opponent Danny Sheehan in the second half, kicked two vital goals and gave the Goon on ball brigade a focal target.
Tom Hallinan read the play well, attacked the ball hard and offered plenty of frugal defence, while Matt Wade and Kevin Quinn energised the midfield and linked the lines. League 2008 medallist Andrew Oldmeadow ran with the league 2009 medallist Chris Urie, and while the Cat playmaker made a strong contribution, Oldmeadow made him work hard for his disposals.
“We were very flat today but credit to them, they were pretty good,” said a succinct Goon coach Clint Williams.
For Neerim, Matt Cumming, in his 150th game, did well on Luke McConnell, despite the later snagging three goals and he received solid support in defence from Sean Ladds, Ryan Muir, Nick Humphrey and Danny Sheehan.
Ruckman Matt Young was prominent, half forward Tyssen Morrow worked hard and through the middle Urie and Cam Hinkley were very active. Wingman Darren Ratten provided good drive before he left the field early in the last quarter due to a heavy knock, which did hot help the Cats’ chances.
Neerim coach Dean Hendrikse had mixed feelings after the game.
“It was disappointing to lose, but I was really happy with our application over all four quarters,” Hendrikse said.
“I thought we were fantastic at locking them down, but a few errors proved costly. If we had taken a few more risks, we probably could have put them under more scoreboard pressure…but it wasn’t to be.”
