On a near perfect late autumn day, contrary to predictions, Alexandra travelled to Thornton for two games of football and three games of netball. The ground matched the day as Alex. prepared to defend the Barry Sprague Thompson Cup. Alex. were forced to make two changes to the team with Steve Steiner replacing brother Matt and Scott Hill replacing Rhys Steward.
Alex began to the southern end and went forward from the first bounce and Zack Heaslip had a goal on the scoreboard in less than a minute. The next goal did not come as easy as the game tightened up with the home side equal to the contest. Luke Heard was involved early and he firstly gave Will Goonan an opportunity but he was offline then he received from Brayden Norris for Alexandra’s second goal. Thornton Eildon continued to tackle and contest and was rewarded with their first goal after an Alex. defensive error. Ben Cooper as courageous as ever kept pushing forward and Brayden Norris was strangely wayward. The teams went to the first break level with 2.2 each. The home side excited their big crowd of supporters with the first goal of the second quarter and the lead but Alex. came back with a behind after great ball movement out of defence and then Heard was again involved as he hand passed to Will Goonan for a goal. The home side got the next goal before Callum Tranter missed and then Stephen Steiner using his strength in the centre found Heard for the big forward’s second goal. Ryley Norris running into form forwarded to Jake Steyger in the square for an easy goal but Thornton Eildon were matching the Rebels for intensity and goaled twice to again excite the faithful. Nathan Dundas also winning plenty off the ball through the centre, found Scott Hill on the clubrooms side and the usually accurate forward regained the lead by the narrowest of margins as the teams left the field for half time. Upon resumption, Alex. moved the ball well from defence but Brent McDonald’s kick hit the post. Alexandra was now getting on top around the ground but it was not showing on the scoreboard as they were often astray. Steiner continued his strong work around the clearances and found Brayden Norris for his first goal for the game. The Alex defence continued to press forward with the dashing Scott Heveren gaining many meters every time he won possession. With Heard off injured, Alex. had to restructure with Chris Mullins using his strength in the ruck and Will Goonan going back into defence to join his brother. Brayden Norris, now looking dangerous goaled again before Jordan Purcell running from half back had a chance for a rare goal but his kick was a defender’s kick. Alex. led by only ten points at the last change so the game was still up for grabs. Alex. began to use the ball well by foot and were much more efficient up forward as Norris kicked his third successive goal followed by another to Hill. Alex. now were playing the game in their half and further goals to Steiner and Cooper (2) along with Michael Coombs and Hill resulted in a comfortable victory 15.14.104 to T.E. 7.8.50. Steiner, Cooper and Dundas were good in the midfield whilst Heveren and the Goonan twins kept the home side to a manageable score. Braden Norris and Scott Hill each kicked three goals whilst Mullins and Steger did the heavy lifting.
Victories in all grades of football and Netball were a fine birthday present for the President.
RESERVES The Reserves with the customary multiple changes proved too good for Thornton Eildon in a disappointingly scrambly game last Saturday. Alex. with a couple of tall recruits always looked the better side but struggled to put that into effect onto the scoreboard. Doug Smith taking over at full forward from Chris McKay, kicked a goal with his first kick in the Alex. Colours and with his physique will be an acquisition to the team. Whilst high leaping ruckman Jacob Brereton playing his first game after an early injury will definitely step up into the senior side in the near future. Another new player Tim Fieldon also fits nicely into the team and plays with plenty of desire. Another player presenting his name to the selectors is Jack Elkington who in good form as is Ben Woolard. Veteran Paul Brooks also had a good game and his kicking still is a feature. Tom Halligan although not suited to the confines of the Thornton Oval still found room to use his speed on occasions whilst Chase Pearce led a tight defence. Alex.9.12.66 def Thornton Eildon 2.3.15. Goals: D.Smith 3. T.Fieldon, A.Wood, B.Woolard, J.Noy, W.Cody and T.Halligan.
Last Modified on 22/05/2017 10:40