Ben
Rowles
After
suffering their first loss for the season last weekend, Round 16 of the Millewa
Football League saw Bambill rejoin the winner’s list with a thumping win over
Cardross, in a game that failed to reach any great heights at Cardross Reserve.
Bambill went into the match without the
services of key players David Hall, Jarrat Farley and Luke Kearney, but this
did not stop them from taking the early advantage against the Lions, who from
the start were right behind the eight ball.
The Saints started the game in an attacking
frame of mind, as they constantly peppered the forward 50 metre arc without
converting their opportunities into goals. Brett Haase was on fire with three first
quarter goals, and if not for the Saints inaccurate kicking, the Lions could
have found themselves much further than 32-points down at the first change.
The Saints continued their domination in the
second quarter, with the defence led by Damien Jackson rebounding well of half
back. Cardross were fighting hard, but their foot skills compared to Bambill’s
were poor and this allowed the Saints to pull away to a 47-point lead at half
time.
The third term saw the game spark into life
after a lack lustre first half, when a scuffle early in the quarter lifted the
intensity in the game. Unfortunately for the Lions, it was Bambill who stepped
up their performance and kicked 8 goals to 2 to take the game by the scruff of
the neck and lead by 82-points at three quarter time. Andrew Ross in particular
proved to be the spark for the Saints, kicking 4 goals for the quarter to
continue his impressive form this season.
Bambill continued to run away with the game in
the final quarter, with their class proving too much for the Lions to handle.
Haase’s sixth goal lifted the margin beyond the 100-point barrier late in the
quarter, with Bambill eventually running out 110-point winners.
Although the Saints were not playing high class
opposition, they can take positives from the fact that they showed some real
zip and excitement in the second half, which has been missing in their play in
the past couple of weeks.
Jackson was superb down back in his best on
ground performance, while up forward Haase and Ross kicked 11 goals between
them in a fine display. In other good signs for Bambill, young Kyle Haase put
in his most promising display this year; kicking 3 goals and really igniting
the Saints across the half forward line, while Luke Hubble showed signs that he
was starting to move better since coming off his long stint on the sidelines
with a knee injury.
As for the Lions, they were really outclassed
in every department, but despite this they continue to fight games out hard. Jake
Zoch had a terrific duel with Denny Fox and can certainly hold his head high,
while Tom Wallace did well in holding down a key defensive post for the Lions
while under constant bombardment from the Bambill midfield.
In other games, Gol Gol continued their 7 game
winning streak, holding off a fast finishing Euston side by 8-points in a
thriller at Carramar Drive.
With both sides sitting in second and third
place on the ladder respectively, there was always a chance that this encounter
would go down to the wire, and so it proved as the game went on.
Both teams got off to a flyer, with 5 goals
apiece in the first quarter setting the game up for a tight tussle. The teams
continued to go goal for goal in the second term, however it was the Hawks who
took a slim 8-point lead into the main break.
The game continued to be tight in the clinches
in the second half, with neither side willing to give an inch, which resulted
in neither side being able to grab the breakaway. The final quarter began with
Gol Gol holding a commanding 19-point lead in the context of the game, but the
Bombers gradually reduced the margin back to a point late in the quarter to
leave supporters of both sides chewing their nails.
However in the end, it was the Hawks who had
the composure to find an answer to every question posed to them by the Bombers,
as they eventually held on for an exciting win.
Dean Umback and Jason Bruhn were stars up
forward for Gol Gol; kicking 5 and 4 goals respectively, while the ability of
both Dean McDowell and Tansley Hill to supply constant drive from the midfield
saw them named high in the best for their side.
Sean Smith and Brad Kennedy both turned in
superb performances for the Bombers, kicking 4 goals apiece, while Dylan Browne
continued his recent fine form for the red and black with another solid
performance.
In the final game of the round, Nangiloc kept
their finals aspirations alive with a 10 goal win over the bottom of the table
Werrimull at Nangiloc Reserve.
The Demons lead from start to finish, after a 6
goal to nil opening quarter set the scene for the rest of the day.
Nangiloc extended their lead to 10 goals at
half time, and things looked like they could get ugly for the Pies. But to
Werrimull’s credit, they fought the game out, and managed to drag back some
respectability in the second half. However, it was not enough to stop Nangiloc
from claiming a 65-point win.
Jake Reed kicked 6 majors for the Demons, and
he was well supported by livewire Damien Gray, who nailed 5 goals in a fine
performance. Damien Sitters also played a starring role for the Demons, in a
result that could prove to be critical for Nangiloc’s finals chances.
For the Pies, Ashley Munro and Chris Douglas
were solid contributors all day, but in the end, it was Werrimull who came off
second best in every contest on the day, and one gets the feeling the end of
2009 cannot come quick enough for the struggling Magpies.
Last Modified on 09/08/2009 11:45