By Toe Punt
Nepean League overcame a slow start to win its very first stand alone match against Heathcote & District Football League on Saturday.
After a four hour bus trip to Bendigo on Saturday morning, Nepean League was slow to get out of the blocks, allowing the opposition to kick the first three goals of the match.
However, on the wide open spaces of the QEO Bendigo Oval, the visitors were able to work their way back into the contest to trail by just three points at the first change.
Coach Gavin Artico told his players during the break to utilise their speed and running ability and move the ball quickly through the corridor.
Artico was also looking to change things up by switching play and creating space before bringing the ball back through the middle of the ground.
The team followed instructions to the letter in the second quarter and set-up the win with a six goal to two term.
At half time, Nepean League led the home side 11.9.75 to 7.8.50.
Early in the third quarter, the visitors lost Hastings’ full forward Tony Mirabella to an eye injury. It is nothing that will keep him out of the Hastings team this week, however, his vision was impaired after getting a poke in the eye. He kicked two goals before going off the ground.
The second half was an arm wrestle.
Heathcote & District League was hell bent on shutting down the space of the Nepean League, pushing numbers back and restricting the opposition’s dominance when entering their forward half.
Heathcote & District League sent five coaches down to the Peninsula two weeks ago to have a look at the Sorrento v Rosebud and Dromana v Rye matches.
They walked away knowing that they were up against a squad that was going to run the ball.
“They (Heathcote & District FL) did their homework on us. We obviously move the ball very quickly in our league and this was a concern of theirs,” coach Gavin Artico said.
“In the second half they were able to slow us down but the damage was done in the second quarter,” Artico said.
It was seven goal to six second half, Nepean winning by 33 points, 18.17.125 to 13.14.92.
Artico said he couldn’t be more pleased with the efforts of his charges.
“They were a really great bunch of blokes, as well as being very talented footballers,” Artico said.
“The group was really motivated and really wanted to represent their league – that was important and the key to us winning the game.
“It was a real pity that all of the clubs didn’t get behind it (Interleague football), however, hopefully the success that the boys had on Saturday will turn that thought process around next year.”
Artico said he was worried when the opposition kicked the first three goals of the game.
“Look, we tried to get the guys up and going as best we could but the reality was that they were all up very, very early and then spent a long time on a bus to Bendigo.
“The home side kicked with the wind in the first quarter and it took us a little while to get going, however, when we did get going, we played some really good football.
“We really opened the game up in the second quarter and we should have been further in front at the break.
“Rhett Sutton and Justin Farrelly were getting their hands on the footy first in the midfield and our forwards looked dangerous.
“Colin McVeigh and game medallist Jason Bedford played on wings and kicked goals for us, while the likes of Daniel Waddell, Tony Mirabella and Leigh Poholke looked dangerous when the ball went in.
“We had 11 goal kickers for the match, so it certainly showed that we had great ability to kick goals.
“In defence, we were fantastic too.
“Guys like Darren Booth, Jay Neratzoglou and Rikki Johnson dominated down there and really did set up a lot of ball movement through the middle.
“Taylor Stratton got a lot of it through the middle and Frankston Bombers players Jay Reynolds and James Degenhardt were really good for us over four quarters,” he said
“It really was a fantastic effort by the guys to fight it right to the end.”
Nepean League Team
B: James Degenhardt Jay Neratzoglou Leigh Morse
HB: Adam Hunter Rikki Johnson (VC) Darren Booth
C: Jason Bedford Taylor Stratton Colin McVeigh
HF: Leigh Poholke Daniel Waddell Dan Gormley
FF: Anthony Bruhn Andrew Kiely Tony Mirabella
R: Rhett Sutton (C)
RR: Jay Reynolds
R: Paul Minchington
Int: Justin Farrelly, Sean Cain, Matt Sibberas, Zac Dekleuver
Senior Match Details
Nepean League 5.2.32 11.9.75 15.14.104 18.17.125
Heathcote League 5.5.35 7.8.50 9.12.66 13.14.92
Nepean Goals: Colin McVeigh 3, Leigh Poholke 2, Jason Bedford 2, Daniel Waddell 2, Tony Mirabella 2, Rhett Sutton, James Degenhardt, Taylor Stratton, Paul Minchington, Justin Farrelly, Matty Sibberas 1
Nepean Best: Jason Bedford, Jay Neratzoglou, Jay Reynolds, Justin Farrelly, James Degenhardt, Taylor Stratton
Under 17 Match Details
Nepean League 4.1.25 10.7.67 15.12.102 16.19.115
Heathcote League 2.5.17 5.8.38 5.10.40 6.11.47
Nepean Goals: Keegan Downie 4, Wade Delahaye 2, Jay Forrest 2, Billy Quigley, Nathan Seddon, Darcy Atkins, Tyler Wilson, Brett Martin, Kyle Salerno, Danny Stephenson, Jackson McRae
Nepean Best: Darcy Atkins, Kyle Salerno, Logan Pearson, William Harbinson, Wade Delahaye, Keegan Downie
Last Modified on 29/05/2013 10:39