Foster v Newborough
Foster 14-12-96 to Newborough 5-9-39
Foster had to sit and watch round one as a consequence of their first week bye, but if they had spent the time watching Newborough they would have been under no illusions as to the enormity of the task given the Bulldogs impressive first round victory.
The Tigers, however, were well and truly ready, jumping out of the block beautifully and kick-starting their season with an impressive 14-12-96 to 5-9-39 victory.
Sam Davies, Foster coach said it was “nice to get a win first up - we overused the ball going forward and didn’t lower our eyes enough and played into their hands. We did end up with plenty of goal kickers which is nice and we still have a couple to come back in.”
At this early stage of the year it really is difficult to line up form from one week to the next but certainly in the first fortnight Newborough have had rapidly contrasting contests.
The Newborough coach, Pat Frendo, reckoned that “Foster was much too strong on the weekend. We showed patches of effort and pressure for periods but Foster responded well every time. It felt like we had a lot of the ball in our forward fifty in the second half but failed to impact the scoreboard at all. Foster was really well drilled and set up behind the footy. Gave us a really good indicator of things we need to work on going forward. At least we now have
the Easter break and bye coming up so get two weeks off to recoup before we face Thorpdale at home.”
An early season break will be welcomed by the players, but not always by the coaches, who after a win are keen to maintain momentum and after a loss want desperately to right some wrong, so with a “two” weeks away, the Bulldogs will be under the spotlight as they return to the kennel in an attempt to get their game back on track.
MDU v Thorpdale
MDU 17-11-113 to Thorpdale 11-9-75.
The Demons were eager to move on from their first round loss to Newborough, but remained wary of a visiting Thorpdale side that came with winning form from the week prior. Playing in front of a healthy home ground provided the perfect setting for an improved performance, with
MDU 17-11-113 thirty eight point winners over the Blues 11-9-75.
Rhett Kelly, MDU coach said, “I'm super proud of how the lads responded yesterday after a poor performance in round one. The energy was up early in the first quarter and set us up for what I think was a great four quarter-game. We moved the footy really well and were able to get our hands on the footy at the stoppages, something we couldn't do the week before. Credit to Thorpdale, who really challenged us defensively and caught us out the back a few times and were able to score from it.”
The Demons certainly had put their first round defeat to the side as they worked harder, worked smarter and finished better than their round one effort,
Daniel Taylor, Thorpdale’s coach, said it was “disappointing as we couldn't get the game on our terms all day. We got beaten on the inside and comprehensively beaten on the outside by a fit and fast MDU side in hot conditions. We just couldn't go with them on the spread, we couldn't get any pressure on the ball carrier which meant their forwards became a real handful.”
Even at this early stage of the year, it is becoming obvious that there is no weekend where a club can expect to ‘bank a win’: either you are ready to play or you are not, and if you’re not, you’re in trouble!
Tarwin v Stony Creek
Tarwin 7-10-52 to Stony Creek 12-6-78.
It was inevitable that one of these two sides would register their first win, the unfortunate truth was that one would also register their second loss, and the difference between the two results on coach and players is enormous.
The Sharks hosting the Creek, found themselves chasing the Lions for most of the day, before a disappointing 26 point loss, their 7-10-52 well short of the visitors 12-6-78.
Lachie Jones, the Tarwin coach, said “we were out worked today by Stony Creek who were disciplined and hungrier so full credit to them.” Jones also acknowledged the retiring Lions champ, Chris Verboon, saying he’s “had a terrific career.”
It hasn’t been an ideal start to the season for the Sharks, but it must be said that they were competitive for most of the day. It was the 17 point lead at quarter time that set up the win for the visitors, and there was a lot to like about Tarwin’s third quarter, where they comfortably outscored the Lions and put themselves very much in the game.
Stony Creek’s coach Troy Shepardson said “It was a very fast paced tight contest down at Tarwin where we were able to convert our chances and come away with our first win for the year!”
With five goal scorers, and multiples to Bergles, Bull and Bernando, the Lions proved to have plenty of avenues to goal. Couple that with the observations of an opposition that describes Stony Creek as “disciplined and hungry”, and the makings of a good side are quickly being put together.
Yinnar v Toora
Yinnar 17-17-119 to Toora 7-9-51.
The clash of the Magpies on Yinnar's home ground was one in which the visitors were aware of the enormity of the task. Toora, regardless of the result, wanted to see first hand what they might need to compete with one of the best.
The answer was, still quite a bit, as one of the leagues leading premiership contenders really put their foot down after quarter time to win by better than ten goals.
Jai Acardi, Toora coach “We played some really good football in the first quarter where our pressure was up and our ability to move the ball was on point. Unfortunately we were not able to stay at that level for long enough and Yinnar ran all over us after halftime.”
The visitors indeed did match it with the home ground Magpies early, with scores locked away at twenty two a piece at the first break, but as good sides do Yinnar quickly put their opposition under more and more pressure to quickly gain control.
Sam McCulloch, Yinnar coach “Very happy to come away with wins in all grades of football and netball in our first home game of the season.
After a fairly even first half, we managed to get on top in the second half and get the game on our terms. We ran the game out really well and finished with a good win. Plenty to work on going into the Easter break.
They key to Yinnar’s success is evident in McCulloch’s response, despite being happy with the win, getting the game on their terms and running the game out well, he feels there is still plenty to work on, and that constant drive to be better is what makes clubs and players their best.
Fish Creek had the bye. No games have been scheduled for the Easter weekend.
