Dual Narre Warren premiership coach Matt Shinners has made an impressive return to the coach’s box with the Magpies scoring a 16-point victory – 15.8(98) to 10.22(82) over Cranbourne at Casey Fields.
In a game that was stopped for nearly 15 minutes in the second term – to lend medical assistance to Cranbourne’s Nick Darbyshire – the Magpies kept their composure to score a repeat of their preliminary final win from last year.
The Magpies started impressively, with goals to Cory Machaya and a cracker from the boundary line to Jake Richardson, and then dodged a bullet as Cranbourne refused to take its chances in front of goals.
The Eagles kicked nine points straight before Ryan Jones dribbled one through from close range at the 26-minute mark of the first quarter.
But the Magpies took control after the delay in the second term, taking advantage of the situation to lead by 23 points at halftime. They would repel a typical Cranbourne resurgence to hit the ground running in 2018.
Machaya and Nick Scanlon were dangerous up forward for the Magpies while Jesse Davies and Trent Cody also had solid starts to the season.
At Starling Road, Officer coach Doug Koop (pictured) refused to let complacency set in at halftime in the clash against Doveton despite his team holding a 35-point lead.
After trailing by five points at quarter time, the Kangaroos responded impressively in the second term kicking 7.6 to 1.2 to set up a comprehensive 92-point - 23.18(156) to 8.16(64) – victory.
“I don’t want to see one smile or one sign of complacency, it’s business from every one of you blokes until the final siren,” Koop said at the main break, before asking his team to lift even further.
“Ask yourself what your contribution has been in the first half and I guarantee that everyone can improve – that’s what I’m asking for, improvement from every player.”
Koop’s words certainly rung true with the Kangaroos extending their 35-point lead to 80 points at the final break before cruising home in the final term.
And reigning premier Berwick is just one win away from a 20-game winning streak after a 44-point victory over Beaconsfield.
The Wickers started brilliantly in front of a huge crowd at Edwin Flack Reserve on their way to a 14.15(99) to 7.13(55) win in the latest installment of The Battle of the Creek.
Travis Tuck delivered a masterclass in the middle for the winners, who had Bryce Rutherford dangerous up forward and Jo West impassable in defence.
Pakenham and Tooradin-Dalmore complete round one with a night-time showdown at Toomuc Reserve tonight.
The first bounce will hit the deck at 7pm.
Last Modified on 07/04/2018 18:18
