By Travis Parnaby
Geelong is the TAC Cupâs only undefeated side following an impressive 75-point win over top-four team Calder. Falcon Zach Ledin (35 deposals, two goals) was best afield and received good support from James Rock (28 possessions, two goals) and full-back Joseph Dare. Cannon Cameron Guthrie dug-in for 24 touches and laid 11 tackles.
North Ballarat held Eastern goalless in the first quarter to set-up a brilliant 67-point victory at Box Hill. The Rebels piled on nine first-half majors to build a 57-point buffer. North Ballaratâs Dylan Parish ripped the game apart with five goals and Josh Free was impressive (28 possessions). Declan FitzGerald was best for Eastern with 22 touches.
Gold Coast won its second-straight match by less than a goal, this time holding off Dandenong by five points. The Gold Coast skipped to a 17-point lead early before the Stingrays hit back. The match went down to the wire with both teams trading shots at goal before the siren beat the visitors. Skipper William Petropolous was among the best for the Stingrays.
Northern returned to the winnerâs list with a mighty 60-point win over Murray. Kane Lambert accumulated 43 possessions for the winners, who had a spread of 11 individual goal kickers. Murray full-back Liam Johnson was valiant on the last line of defence.
Bendigo snatched a thrilling 12-point win at Oakleigh. The Pioneers were 12 points adrift at the final change but a brilliant four goal to nil last term steered the Pioneers to victory. Brad Eagle had 26 touches for the Pioneers in a best on ground display. Oakleigh tall Justin Van Unen booted four goals.
Gippsland had too many scoring options for the Western Jets, running out 66-point winners at Burbank Oval. Despite more disposals, Western struggled to contain the Powerâs spread of goal kickers, with Mannon Johnston (four goals), captain Dean Woodhead (three goals) and Shaun Marusic (three goals) dangerous. Jets defender Sean Tighe got plenty of the ball (35 disposals) while versatile tall Shannon Ball hauled in nine marks from 13 possessions.
In round eight of the TAC Cup, Calder visits Dandenong in a top four clash, Queensland (featuring mostly Gold Coast players) takes on the NSW/ACT Rams, North Ballarat meets the Northern Knights at Eastern Oval, Ballarat, undefeated Geelong is home to Oakleigh and Gippsland plays Bendigo in the second match of a double-header at Shepley Oval. Sunday, Sandringham hosts Western in a VFL curtain-raiser and Eastern faces a tough test against Murray at Lavington.
Last Modified on 07/04/2010 15:18