Round 15 last week-end saw Alexandra host Kinglake for two games of football and four games of netball. The weather was fine as the forecast strong winds had not yet arrived. The ground was in really good condition after 20 mm of Thursday night rain. With both senior teams on 32 points this game was crucial as the winner would take fifth position on the ladder with the finals only three games away. Kinglake had comfortably won the previous encounter at home by 38 points.
SENIORS:
Alexandra included Jack Elkington, Jasper Rouget and the Goonan twins Jack and Will to replace Nathan Dundas, Nick Waugh, Brent McDonald and Tom Rouget. Alexandra won the toss and began to the town end. The visitors were first into attack but Alex, rebounded to give Jake Steyger a mark but he was offline as was Brayden Norris from his first mark. Young Jasper Rouget kicked the first two Alex. goals before a free in the goal square enabled Kinglake to goal easily. Winning the ball from the centre, Alex. next went forward and Steyger tapped cleverly to Ryley Norris for a goal. Alex. were tackling strongly in defence restricting the Kinglake forwards. Lee Ragg assisted Callum Tranter for the Rebels fifth goal and Brayden Norris added to his list late in the term giving Alex. a 27 point lead at the first change. The umpires were handing out plenty of 50m penalties and Alex. failed to make use of their share until Brayden Norris kicked his second goal. With a player sent off Alex. struggled to go forward with any system with too many hand passes missing the target. The defence led by the Goonan brothers Jack Elkington and Scott Heveren kept Alex. in a good position restricting Kinglake to two goals at the wind favoured end. Alex led by 21 points at the long break. After a slow start to the third quarter Ryley Norris returned to the ground and it was no coincidence that the Rebels lifted from that point. Brother Brayden then took control of the game with a three consecutive goals (including his 50th for the season) Ben Cooper marked a well weighted kick and goaled from well out. Brayden Norris added his fourth goal for the quarter after missing the mark but recovering like a cat. Sam Woolard kicked the Rebels twelfth after receiving a well directed pass. Kinglake got the last goal of the quarter but Alex. now held a commanding 43 point lead at the last change. Alex continued their dominance even against the breeze in the last quarter with six further goals, two to Ryley Norris and a seventh to Brayden with Scott Hill 2 and Scott Heveren joining the goal kickers. The Alex defence had continued to play tight only allowing the visitors two late goals. Alex. 18.13.121 def Kinglake 7.8.50. Best: Brayden (7 goals) and Ryley Norris (3 goals) Ben Cooper, Scott Heveren, Jake Steyger and Jack Elkington. The win means now Alexandra are in fifth position and lead on percentage and should hold that position until finals.
RESERVES:
The Reserves, holding fourth position were looking for a win to keep third and the double chance in the finals, a possibility. Alexandra began well against the under manned Kinglake team. Alex had six individual goalkickers in the first quarter whilst the visitor’s only score resulted from two fifty meter penalties. Jedd Hamill had a good second quarter with four goals. Ben Podger Carroll, Nick Waugh, Brent McDonald and Conner Heaslip were providing the skill and drive whilst up forward Scott Isaacs also was effective. In defence Cory Jack was well on top of his opponent (no one) and must have had forty possessions. Well done to the Kinglake players who although short on numbers never stopped trying. Alexandra went on to a 23.17.155 to 1.2.8 win.
Last Modified on 31/07/2017 11:44