Bright Stars send warning

By Ken Moore
SIT up and take notice of Garfield! That was the message the Stars sent to premiership favourites Nar Nar Goon and Cora Lynn after it thrashed Neerim Neerim South by 71 points in the elimination final on Saturday at Longwarry.
The Cats, in their first finals appearance since 2002, were competitive in the first half but found wanting in the second, failing to match Garfield for both intensity and class after the main break.
In front of a big crowd that drew a record gate, both teams went hammer and tongs at the ball early and disposals were well earned in a torrid opening term. Neerim threw down the gauntlet with the first goal, after a strong mark by full forward Chris Redl. Garfield star Tom Marsh replied soon after, however, the Cats again nosed in front when its dynamo, Chris Urie, split the big sticks with an outlandish shot on goal from hard up on the boundary line. In the later stages of the quarter, majors by the lively Ben Jostlear and Marsh gave the Stars a seven point lead at the first change.
Neerim grabbed the initiative back in the second quarter with a goal by Tom Muir before Garfield lifted its work rate, controlled play and despite squandering a number of kicks on goal, shot 10 points clear when Shaun Pickering kicked straight after finding himself on the end of a patient forward build up. Mid-quarter, the Cats responded when Urie picked up a loose ball as if it was a dry ground and handballed to Cam Hinkley, who streamed into goal and it was game on. Two late goals by Jim Bow, who presented well in the first half, guided the Stars to a 16-point advantage at half time.
Garfield’s lead was largely due to centre half back Shane Reid, who cut off many attacks along with solid midfield drive from coach Brent Eastwell, Saxon Watson, Ben Marsh and Ben Jostlear. Ruck rover Chris Urie, ruckman Matt Young and defenders Matt Cumming and Sean Ladds played a big role keeping the Cats competitive.
At the start of the third quarter, Garfield attacked incessantly, but was not rewarded until Matt Hobbs produced a nice snap on goal at the seven-minute mark. From then on, the Stars went into overdrive and with goals by Nick Marsh, after a strong grab and two majors by Dylan Collis, brought about by terrific pressure, Garfield waltzed 47 points ahead. Late goals by Terry Mildren and Luke Bee Hugo set the Stars up with a 57 point lead at three quarter time. If not for plenty of resistance by defenders Nick Humphrey, Darren Ratten, Dean Hendrikse and Ryan Muir, who were under siege during the quarter, the Cats would have trailed by far more. Garfield forwards Bee Hugo, Terry Mildren and Ned Marsh tormented the Neerim defence with their hard leading and constructive use of the ball.