The Northern Knights got a much needed 40 point win on the road to the Bendigo Pioneers on Sunday. In a blistering second quarter the Knights piled on seven goals to one, which was essentially the difference in an otherwise tight game.
The first quarter was a close battle with the Knights kicking into a stiff breeze. Despite this, the Knights managed to keep the scores on level pegging for the term. Brett Meredith and Matt Kreuzer were lively early on, creating pressure in the forward line for which they were rewarded with one and two goals respectively.
It was the second quarter where the Knights stamped their authority on the game, and they did so from the first bounce. Adrian Totino kicked truly from 55m out in the first minute and it was quickly followed up by Tindarra Hood kicking his first TAC Cup goal. Hood goaled once again and Meredith added two more to give the Knights the ascendancy. To close the quarter, Liam O'Donnell got in on the act with two goals.
Pat Veszpremi was leading the charge in the midfield by kicking long and direct into the forward line, but a thumb injury forced him out of the game before half time. Jack Grimes was rebounding well from the half back line, while Kreuzer was imposing himself physically and playing well at ground level for such a big guy - which is becoming somewhat of a trademark for him.
Bendigo got on top in the midfield in the third quarter and the sustained pressure allowed them to kick five goals for the term. The support that the Knights showed for one another in the second quarter was severely diminished in the third, however goals to O'Donnell and Tim Bongetti kept the Knights head above water.
Once again it was Meredith and Hood to get the Knights kick started in the final term with a goal each. The Pioneers were a bit more solid in the middle of the quarter with Rex Taylor being particularly troublesome up forward, but the work the Knights had done earlier in the game ensured they had a safe enough lead. The Pioneers got it to within five goals, but that's as close as they could get before the Knights kicked the final two goals of the game.
Matthew Quinton was a rock in defence and provided good rebound, while Steve Kelly and Nyaburu Kelly were consistent throughout. Coach, Paul Satterley recognised the pressure was the key in that second quarter. "In that second quarter our blocks were as good as they've been all season. Our protection and voice were excellent and in hindsight that won us the game, even though we would've liked to have capitalised more up forward."
Tindarra Hood was a real excitement machine for us and to see an Under 16 player kick three elite goals like that was great. They were all crumbing goals and that's what we want from him."
We've got a big game next week against the Calder Cannons and we'll be without our Metro boys (Vic Metro representatives) but so will they. Our boys are getting a lot of confidence and there will be plenty of guys to step up."
"It's an exciting time for the club. Quinno (Matthew Quinton) played his best game and guys like Luke Hobbs and Joe Palazzolo are always improving. We're all about sharing the workload so without our key players next week it's just a matter of who will step up."
Northern Knights 17.15.117 def. Bendigo Pioneers 11.11.77
Goals: Meredith 4, Hood 3, Kreuzer 3, O'Donnell 3, Bongetti 2, Woodhams 1, Totino 1
Best: Quinton, Meredith, Kreuzer, N.Kelly, J.Grimes, Hood
Last Modified on 30/03/2008 18:18