One team that has done an amazing job of turning their form around in recent weeks is Campbelltown. Recent years have been hard times for the Blues, but in the last few weeks they’ve found a new spirit and resolve which has helped them restore their self-belief. And again this was evident on Saturday afternoon at Monarch Oval, where the Blues won their third game in a row; and they did it in style, dominating Sydney Hills Eagles from start to finish to record a convincing 135-point win.In what is a great testament to the local junior clubs, Campbelltown is riding a three game winning streak on the back of their youngsters who have progressed through the junior system. In particular, a dominant performance in the midfield by Cameron Gordon, Taran Etto and Paul Green laid the foundations for the victory. David Linsen was unstoppable gathering possessions at both ends of the ground and Bryce Joynson was as usual a workhorse all day. Campbelltown's defence was miserly in limiting the Eagles attack to 30 points for the match. Brenton Sommerville dominated the air in the back line and PNG recruit Amua Parika gave exceptional rebound.
The Blues raced out of the blocks in the opening quarter, bursting down the corridor with minimal resistance and pumping the ball to the forward line, where the forwards were finding plenty of room to move. Seven goals to two in the opening quarter set up a 32-point quarter time lead. And although the ball was more closely and tightly contested in the second term, seeing scoring dry up at times during the quarter, the Blues still managed three goals to one for the quarter to lead by 49 points at half time.
But Campbelltown’s best was yet to come, and the second half was even more one-sided than the first. Seven unanswered goals in the third term stretched the margin to 94 points at the last change, and it didn’t take long in the last quarter for the Campbelltown advantage to blow out into three figures. A run of eight goals to one in the final term saw the Blues end up with 25 goals for the first time in many a long season.
Particularly pleasing for coach Neil Brunton was the spread of goal scorers. "Twelve different players featured on the score sheet today which is really important for us as we are a team that relies on an even contribution from all our players and not a few stars." Skipper Matthew Edwins topped the goal scoring list and was at his creative best scoring a game high 6 goals for the match. He was ably supported by the return of Ben Yakimov (3 goals), Cameron Desmond (2 goals) and Jordan Etto (2 goals).
Campbelltown's next game at Bob Prenter Reserve (Monarch Field) on Saturday against current Premiership favourites Pennant Hills is shaping up to be a blockbuster do-or-die clash for the blues if they want to play finals and should be the greatest test for the ever improving Blues so far this season.
Last Modified on 19/07/2013 21:01