Ben Rowles
Dominant performances, exciting football
and even a Grand Final replay were all on the Round 2 menu for Millewa
Football League followers on the weekend.
The main course for the weekend was the
big clash between last year's Grand Final participants, Euston and
Gol Gol, at Carramar Drive on Saturday.
A little less than 7 months ago, the
Euston Bombers hauled the 2008 premiership cup aloft, to claim the first
flag in the club's history. Their opponents that day- the Gol Gol
Hawks- were not only left to contemplate missed opportunities, but were
also forced to set themselves for another crack at the Bombers next
year.
Their time finally arrived on Saturday,
and the Hawks were ready and raring to go by the first bounce. However,
Euston were determined to show their upset win against Gol Gol wasn't
a fluke last year, and this set the scene for some exciting football.
Both teams were hard at it as expected,
and both teams moved the ball at a ferocious pace, with 10 goals being
kicked in the first quarter. Although Gol Gol made a solid start, the
Bombers were with them every step of the way, as both teams headed into
the quarter time break dead even.
A big inclusion for Gol Gol's side
was reigning McDonald Medallist, Tony Albert, who settled right back
into his midfield spot and continued where he left off from last year.
The second quarter saw another 10 goals
kicked, except Euston took the advantage- kicking 6 goals to 4- to take
a 13-point lead into the big break. Jamie Buchannan was buzzing around
the forward line and looking very dangerous at every opportunity for
the Bombers, while Tim Anderson looked set for back to back best on
grounds for the Hawks.
The premiership quarter again saw some
terrific football being played, and the battle of the midfields was
a highlight. But Euston always seemed to have an answer to every question
posed to them by Gol Gol, and the Hawks were left trailing by 17-points
at the final change.
Gol Gol went for all out attack in the
final quarter, in an attempt to break Euston's steadfast backline.
But the Bombers held firm, and ended up taking a hard fought victory.
Buchanan and Felix Liparota were instrumental all day for Euston, while
Anderson and Craig Mills could hold their heads high after giving it
their all for the Hawks. The Bombers eventually ran out 21-point victors,
and head into the Anzac Day break with 2 wins on the board.
Gol Gol on the other side of the coin,
are left without a win in the first two rounds, but can gain plenty
of positives from the fact they have competed well with two of the better
teams in the league.
At Nangiloc Reserve, Werrimull were confident
they could put an early win on the board for season 2009, as they took
on the Demons.
Nangiloc were having their first run
for the year and looked fresh from an extended pre season, as they looked
the classier side in the first quarter.
Both teams were showing some impressive
form, and although the Demons were 12-points up at quarter time, the
game was still in the balance.
The second term saw the Pies step it
up a notch, as they surprised Nangiloc to take a 4-point lead into half
time. A positive in Werrimull's play that has been lacking in the
past couple of seasons is their ability to be switched on at all times,
and to capitalise on any chances presented to them. But this was one
feature of their play that really stood out in the first half, and coach
Matt Kelly would've been pleased with the endeavour shown by his charges.
However, they could not maintain this
pressure, and the Dees started to get a run on in the third quarter,
as they took a 21-point lead into the final break. Jake Reed was presenting
a good target up forward for Nangiloc, as he kicked his way to a best
on ground performance with 6 goals.
The Pies tried manfully in the final
quarter to overcome the deficit, but with the likes of David Wisneske
working hard for Nangiloc, their sustained four quarter effort saw them
take out a confidence boosting 35-point win.
The final game of the round saw Bambill
take on Cardross in a game that was expected to go the Saints way, but
nevertheless, a big effort was expected by the Lions.
This they did, as they played some good
early footy in the clinches to be right with the Saints at quarter time.
But a 9 goal to 2 second quarter effectively ended Cardross' chances,
as Bambill hit the accelerator and started dominating all over the ground.
But the Lions refused to lie down, and
even took out the honours for the third quarter. Jake Zoch was tremendous
in the ruck for Cardross, and Eamon Higgins was doing his bit for the
Lions as well.
However, despite the third quarter lapse,
Bambill showed why they are firming as short priced favourites to challenge
for Euston's crown, slamming on 11 goals to no score in the final
quarter. The massive final quarter blew away all of Cardross' good
work from earlier on, as the Saints ran out 123-point winners.
Brett Hasse was Bambill's sharp shooter
kicking 9 of the best, while Andrew Ross and big David Hall were exceptional
all day for the Saints.