Victoria’s run of outs against the Croweaters has continued, with the Peter Jackson VFL going down to the SANFL by 19 points at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
The VFL was unable to stop runs of goals from the SANFL in the second and third terms, as the home team made the visitors pay for regular turnovers across half forward in its 16.10 (106) to 13.9 (87) win.
The VFL’s drought against the SANFL stretches back to 2002, having now lost the last four encounters staged between the traditional rivals.
Williamstown premiership midfielder Michael Gibbons was named the Frank Johnson Medal winner as the VFL’s best player for his 34-disposal performance.
Werribee captain Michael Sodomaco (24 disposals, one goal) and North Ballarat’s 2015 J. J. Liston Trophy winner Nick Rippon (23 disposals, three goals) were also prominent, while Footscray duo Will Hayes (21 disposals, two goals) and Jordan Russell (18 disposals, 10 marks) performed well.
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In a tight first quarter, Williamstown’s Sam Dunell set the tone early with a goal on the run, but the SANFL was quick to answer with two consecutive majors from set shots. The smalls took over up forward for the remainder of the term, with Willie Wheeler (Williamstown), Hayes and Ben Cavarra (Frankston) nailing goals on the run as the Victorians went into the first change 13 points down.
The VFL started strongly in the second quarter but was unable to convert in front of goal. Missed opportunities opened the door for the SANFL, who booted the opening three goals of the term to jump out to a 29-point lead.
Nick Meese (Williamstown) battled tirelessly in the ruck, but the SANFL gained first use of the ball out of the middle to set up the likes of Brett Eddy, Willie Rioli (both with three first-half goals) and Lachlan McGregor. Dan Coghlan (Essendon) broke the run of goals and Hayes finished with a late major to reduce the SANFL’s half-time lead to 25 points.
The third quarter again started positively for the VFL with Gibbons – the 2015 Norm Goss Medallist – adding an early goal to his 18 first-half disposals. But the SANFL again found loose players up forward to spark a four-goal run and jump out to a match-high 43-point lead. The VFL forwards struggled for space to lead into, while the SANFL made the visitors pay for turnovers. However, Khan Haretuku (Port Melbourne) and Rippon kicked goals early in time on to reduce the deficit to 30 at three-quarter time.
An early surge was needed in the final term and was duly provided through goals to Werribee duo Sodomaco and Matt Hanson, and suddenly the margin was down to 19 points at the 15-minute mark.
But that was as close as the VFL got, the SANFL finding a reply to each further goal to seal a 19-point win.
SANFL 6.3 10.6 14.6 16.10 (106)
VFL 4.2 6.5 9.6 13.9 (87)
VFL goalkickers: Rippon 3, Hayes 2, Dunell, Wheeler, Coghlan, Cavarra, Hanson, Gibbons, Sodomaco, Haretuku
VFL best players: Gibbons, Sodomaco, Hayes, Rippon, Russell, Wheeler
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Last Modified on 30/05/2016 12:37
