North Ballarat Rebels travelled to Warrnambool's Reid Oval on Sunday, hoping to build on the momentum of recent weeks. Lucas Cook returning from the AIS marked his return to the Rebels line up with two early goals and the Rebels midfield were hard at the ball with Free, Hooper and Gavin attacking contests and the goals, along with Dylan Parish, to establish a 26 point lead at the first change.
After a mere thirty seconds of second quarter action, following pin-point disposal from Andrew Hooper to David Astbury, who delivered to the hard-running Josh Free, another goal was added. A snap shot around his body from Matthew Sully and a goal to Simon Close at the twenty minute mark of the quarter saw the Rebels lead by 38 points at the main change, despite a frustrating overuse of the ball, in contrast to the direct play of the first quarter.
The Rebels again controlled the play early in the third quarter, with great run from Oliver Tate off the half-back line adding to a dominant mid-field. Dylan Parish's quick hands off to Andrew Hooper for a goal also exemplified the team work which has been a feature of recent weeks. Missed opportunities on the run and from a set shot on the siren were disappointing, but indicated the Rebels' ability to get the ball into the forward fifty and create opportunities.
With a convincing lead at three-quarter time, the challenge was set for the Rebels to finish the job, and a confident and accurate transfer of the ball from Dean Gavin to Nathan Horbury, and finally to Lucas Cook realized a goal after four minutes of play. Another classy movement of the ball from Curran, deep in defence, to Horbury and Parish to find Ben Peters, in his first game for the season, resulted in a goal at the six-minute mark. Dylan Parish continued to lead into space, making the most of wonderful delivery from Free, Horbury and Gavin. Marcus Darmody was moved forward after a commanding performance at full-back to score the last two goals of the game, giving the Rebels a convincing 98 point victory.
Last Modified on 11/05/2009 13:49