Lions overpower Moama youth
Mulwala made the long trek to Moama and began the game slowly once again.
The young Moama team began the game with the breeze and a great deal of enthusiasm. Their determined efforts saw them doing all the scoring in the early phase of the game.
Nathan Parker was working overtime in the backline with good support from Leke and Lee Howroyd. The younger Mulwala players like Sean Johns, Jacko Weir and Tyler Walshe were the ones who started to get things going Mulwala’s way.
The game was starting to be played on Mulwala’s terms but inaccuracy was proving to be an issue. The absence of Symes and James meant Dylan Robinson was the main focus and he was getting all the attention. Multiple goals to Sean Johns enabled Mulwala to slip away late in the first term. The spread of goal kickers saw Ty Primmer and Robbo get on the board and Mulwala was looking more dangerous.
Moama continued to make the most of their limited chances and accurate kicking was helping to keep them close. Michael Duiker, Brad Wilsona and Ty Primmer were enjoying the space available through the midfield to set the forwards up. Brad was able to follow the flow of play to get a couple of goals on the board which set up a handy break.
At the start of the second term the ball really flowed Mulwala’s way with extra numbers around the contest ensuring the ball was constantly in the Mulwala forward fifty. At the other end Moama was having a difficult time getting the ball past a well organised Mulwala back six. The speed that Mulwala was able to rebound the ball was catching the Moama defenders off guard. Dylan Robinson and Anthony Guiliana were able to take advantage of this leading up hard and kicking accurately for goal.
Mulwala was getting first use of the ball from the stoppages due to the good work Glenn Dominick was doing. Up forward it was turning into the Guiliana versus Robbo show as the goals started to flow. Tom Beams was also working his way into the game after missing last week out due to illness. Mulwala had accumulated a seventy point lead by the long break and it was just a question of them maintaining the intensity in the second half.
Moama opened the second half the way they began the game with a goal but Mulwala was quick to respond via Sean Robinson. As usual a Robinson goal was quickly responded to by Guiliana who added to his tally. The list of goal kickers continued to grow as did Mulwala’s lead.
Sean Johns was getting his hands on the ball inside the contests and when he didn’t have it Sean Robinson did. The only real issue in the game was how far Mulwala and how much percentage would they accumulate. A good aspect of the game was how well the players who had come up from the reserves fitted into the senior set ups. The depth these players add to the group may well be important later in the season.
Third quarter score: Mulwala 26.12.168 to Moama 6.3.39.
It didn’t seem to matter who went into the forward fifty the ball seemed to find them and the goals continued to flow. To their credit the young Moama team stuck at the task and were able to add a number of goals to have their best quarter of the day.
Final score: Mulwala 30.14.194 defeated Moama 12.5.77.
Mulwala will take on Cobram at Lonsdale Reserve next Saturday which will be a much more difficult assignment. Cobram has had some injury issues but they still have a very competent list of players which will test the Mulwala group. Make sure you get to the game early to support all the teams.
Reserves
Mulwala and Moama have had some great battles in the reserves and Saturday’s game opened the same way. The Mowers had the use of a strong breeze in the opening term and had two goals on the board early. Mulwala then got into gear and kicked the next couple to even things up.
The Moama travel bug meant that there were quite a few team changes and it was taking some time for Mulwala to get their systems flowing. Josh Ritoli was providing plenty of run on his wing which was giving the forwards some scoring opportunities. Dylan Flanagan was looking dangerous as was Mitch Marks and they were getting good support from Matt Powell.
Mulwala’s work rate was improving as the game progressed which resulted in more scoring chances coming their way. The difference is skill level between the two teams was beginning to become obvious with Mulwala clearing out by five goals.
Dams Cook, Mummsy O’Neill and Heff were able to create play and set up goals with relative ease. In the backline Mulwala had completely shut the Moama forwards out which stopped their scoring altogether. Corey Parish was collecting kicks all over the place and using his pace to cut holes in the Moama defence.
James Wilson was impassable across half back shutting down Moama’s scoring and creating goals for Mulwala. James combined well with Sam Heffernan and Boxer Parish to enable Mulwala to cruise away with the win.
Thirds
The Mulwala thirds gave the Moama team a big head start and never really recovered the deficit created in the first term. The backline was under constant pressure early on with Matt Tabair, Liam Russell and Zeek Garner doing their best to keep things under control.
Nathan McNair was in everything up in the middle of the ground winning the contested ball and taking a number of strong marks. He was continually pumping the ball long into the forward fifty but the Moama backline was able to repel the attacking moves.
After an unproductive start to the game Dale Powell and Nathan Cook were both able to break through to get Mulwala’s scoring going. Michael Bourke was the dominant big man at the stoppages but Moama was able to win the majority of the clearances.
The Mulwala players were willing to persist late into the game but they weren’t able to overcome the lead Moama had created early on. Joel Hogan was running as hard in the last term as he had been early in the game and he was one of the better four quarter players. He was also well supported by Nick Olphert who hunted the football well and won the hard ball for Mulwala.
Fourths
It was always going to be a difficult task, travelling to Moama to take on the undefeated ladder leaders.
The Lion cubs were shell shocked in the first quarter, having eight goals kicked against them. It was one way traffic – going the wrong way for the Lions. The boys steadied after quarter time and began to stick tackles and take Moama on. A much more determined team played for the remainder of the game and Moama’s assault on the scoreboard was really slowed.
It was great to see the desperation of James, Mick and Daniel in their tackles. Harry showed his skills and quick thinking running forward while Ruban, Shanka, Jack and Tom were standing up under pressure. Connor was kept busy in the back line and stuck some great tackles. Nic and Cody intercepted some of Moama’s forward drive with great overhead marks.
The third quarter was the highlight for the Lions with the scoring of their only major by Harley. He was well supported by Ryan, Lachie R, Sammy, Hunter, Beau, Tanner, Lachie W and Cooper J. The boys never gave up and should be proud of their effort.
The bigger team members of Khai, Cooper B and Jordan were kept busy down back and in the centre but provided a steadying influence taking some solid marks and tackling hard.
If the boys take the intensity of this game into next week they will do well.
Goals – H McCarthy.
Awards:
Seniors – Lekeal 5pts A Guiliana, 4pts M Duiker, 3pts S Robinson, 2pts T Beams, 1pt S Johns. Wingate Sports: D Robinson, ClubMulwala: T Primmer, Royal Mail Hotel: B Wilson.
Reserves – Foodworks: Beau Hornidge, Celebrations: Matt Powell, Judds Mensland: Nathan Cook. Club – 3pts Chris O’Neill, 2pts Sam Heffernan, 1pt Damien Cook.
Thirds – Lake Mulwala Café: N McNaiar, Judds Mensland: M Bourke, MFNC: M Doughty, Blue River Pizza: Matt Tabain, Mulwala Ski Club: N Olphert, Foodworks Mulwala: N Cook, Salon 121: H Crossley, Coach’s Award: J Diamond.
Fourths – Lake Mulwala Café: J Urquhart, Dowling Family: H McCarthy, Lake Mulwala Bakery: M Stevenson, MFNC: H Crossley, Blue River Pizza: C Bennett, Kez’s Candy Shop: L Rouel, Mulwala Water Ski Club: T Dow.
Last Modified on 29/06/2012 11:52