Mulwala overran a young Rumbalara side in a promising opening to the 2012 season.
The Rumba outfit looked very young and lacked some height up and down the middle of the ground. This was an area Mulwala would need to exploit if they were to get on top and achieve the all important four points on their home deck in front of an impressive Easter Saturday crowd.
Mulwala’s forward line had a new look with Cam Symes and Anthony Giuliana inside the 50 arc with Lee James. Cam started well marking very thing that came his way and getting the first goal on the board for Mulwala. Rumba was kicking with the aid of a handy breeze and responded with two quick goals to let everyone know they were here to play. The successive goals seemed to spark Mulwala’s defence into action and they really tightened up from that point on.
The defensive unit was being well lead by Parks and his direction of the players to take risks was paying off with the ball being rebounded into the attacking zone very effectively. The accuracy issue that had plagued the reserves seemed to have rubbed off on the seniors as points flowed instead of goals. It took a long shot from the 50 by Tom Beams to change Mulwala’s fortunes and they were then able to draw clear on the scoreboard.
Mulwala’s small men were enjoying Daniel Clarke’s dominance in the ruck with numbers at the contest a key factor in Mulwala’s lead on the score board. Lee James was one player who was on song with his kicking and his hard leads up the centre corridor was a real feature of his play. With Dylan Robinson on the side lines injured Lee didn’t have to share the lime light and he was heading for a big goal tally.
Around the middle of the ground Nick O’Bryan, Sean Robinson, Jake O’Sullivan and Sean Johns were too slick for the Rumba players who aren’t used to applying defensive pressure. Mulwala’s ability to maintain possession of the ball when taking it from end to end was a key factor in the side’s dominance. This was also complemented by some excellent defensive efforts from Bohdi Butts, Dan Kirchen and Glen Dominick, which made scoring almost impossible for the Rumba forwards.
The battle between Dan Kirchen and Djaren Whyman was a four quarter epic and Dan was able to take the points on the day. The fact that he was able to completely shut down Rumbas most dangerous scoring option meant that Mulwala was well placed to achieve a strong win. The inability of the Rumba team to build a score certainly didn’t mean Mulwala had every thing their own way with some very exciting runs and clever football played throughout the contest.
There were occasions during the contest where Mulwala was being tested by the determination of the young Rumba outfit but to their credit the Mulwala team was able to close their run down to get back in control. The fact that there were a high number of Mulwala players sharing the work load was a very good sign with all players willing to work hard when their opportunity came. Having a number of young players in the group and the addition of a number of new players will enable the team to continue to improve as it did throughout the four quarters on Saturday.
Sean Johns, Tyler Walsh, Bodhi Butts and Michael O’Roirdan all showed that they were capable at the level which was emphasised by the fact that they all made important contributions at crucial times during the Easter Saturday clash. Mulwala was able to come away with a strong win first up against a Rumba outfit that will improve as the season progresses and they get their full complement of players available.
Reserves
From the very outset it looked like Mulwala reserves were in for a comfortable win against an undermanned and very young Rumba team. Brandon Kreeck was in the action early with goals on the board a result of the good work up the field by the likes of Brad Wilson and Chris O’Neill who were dominant around the stoppages.
Mulwala had winners on every line and the strength of Lee Howroyd, Marcus Larkin and James Wilson was ensuring Rumba couldn’t get through to kick a score at all. Chris Johnson was rebounding the ball with intent and this resulted in the scoring opportunities for the forwards continuing throughout the first half. The leading of Dylan Flanagan was excellent but the big key forward was having trouble with his radar early with a series of points resulting. The points were out pacing the goals for quite a bit of the game, and is an area that will need to improve when playing against a stronger opponent.
The second half of the contest was very similar to the first with Mulwala building a big margin and the Rumba boys finding scoring very difficult. The Kreeck and Lamberti show continued up forward and Mulwala players ran riot in every position on the ground. Dylan finally got his radar set and the goals started to flow. Brandon Kreeck finished off the game as he started with Mulwala’s 23rd goal and the boys were able celebrate a very comfortable first up win.
Thirds
The contest in the thirds was to prove the match of the day with the Mulwala boys having to work very hard to shake a determined Rumbalara team. The consistent work of Michael Bourke in the centre bounces and his dominance around the ground gave the Mulwala small men first use of the ball at stoppages. This was to prove a very decisive factor in the final outcome of the game, with Jackson Weir, and the Tabain boys running the ball clear on many occasions.
The problem of pinpointing a target up forward was enabling Rumba to stay in the contest but even after a huge week of school boys football in Melbourne Dale Powell took responsibility and kicked a number of important goals. Cory Pean was another of the younger players to step to the task and slot goals when they were needed. At the other end of the park, Nathan McNair, Liam Russell and Michael Tabain were working hard to cut off the scoring opportunities of the Rumba boys.
Lach Davis, Mitch Doughty, and Justin Rattle were very consistent throughout the game and the fact they were still running hard in the last quarter enabled Mulwala to break clear for a first up win. Strong marking across the half forward line by Nathan Cook was also a key factor in setting up the all important four points.
Fourths
The season began well for the club with the fourths boys taking away a strong win against Rumbalara. Jorden Urquhart was leading from the front as the team captain, winning the ball around the centre of the ground and combining well with Harry Crossley to force the ball into the Mulwala scoring zone.
Jack Diamond and Angus MacMillan were marking everything that came their way and the Rumbalara players couldn’t seem to get the ball around them. Ruben Butts was enjoying the fact he was finally out on the park and was racking up some possessions to help his team build the score. Khai Garner was one of the new players to stand out using his height to advantage and kicking accurately around goal.
The goal sneak of the day was young Sam Davis who used his pace to get clear and run the ball in for a couple of crowd lifting goals. The way the boys teamed together was superior to their opponents in all areas on the ground and this enabled them to come away with a comfortable win.
Mulwala travels to Deniliquin to take on the raining premiers in what will be a clash that will provide a better indication of just where the team sits in the Club Mulwala Murray League pecking order. Achieving four points out on the windy plains of Deni is something may sides struggle to do but with a good first up win and the addition of a couple of players it is something Mulwala will be aiming for.
Go Lions 2012
Last Modified on 12/04/2012 16:33