North Ballarat Rebels travelled to Box Hill City Oval on Saturday for their Round 7 fixture against the Eastern Ranges. With seven Rebels players selected in the Vic Country squad, the opportunity arose for Chris Giampolo and Jake Garvey to play their first game's for the season and Lachlan Edwards and Chris Harry making their TAC Cup debut.
Jake Garvey started on the ground in the ruck, jumping well to give Josh Free, Dean Gavin and Kevin Bourke first use of the ball. Simon Close's precise kick found Dylan Parish, who goaled at the 3 minute mark of the quarter. Chris Giampolo stamped his authority on the game as a small forward with a clever snap goal, followed by another from a set shot. The Rebels forwards also applied terrific pressure on the Ranges backline to force errors and stoppages. Josh Free roved a spill from an aerial contest smartly to goal after 20 minutes. The westerly breeze contributed to the ball being forced wide and the Rebels missed several scoring opportunities and the chance to really punish the Ranges on the scoreboard, although the 31 point lead at the first break was encouraging.
The Ranges started well in the second quarter but Sam Cowling turned them back twice with strong and desperate defence and Marcus Darmody again proved to be a key defender for the Rebels. Kevin Bourke managed to run hard and carry the ball through the centre, delivering to Dylan Parish who continued to lead up the ground well. Giampolo snapped another goal, as did Jake Dunne, following tenacious work by Josh Free, who forced the stoppage from which the Rebels capitalized. Despite players losing their footing on a number of occasions, the Rebels maintained control of the midfield and Bourke, who was courageous in and under contests, centred the ball to Dean Gavin who goaled at the 18 minute mark. Simon Close added another towards the end of a quarter which was possibly the Rebels best for the season thus far.
Simon Close started the second half as he finished the first with two goals on the run within the first three minutes of play. Dean Gavin's goal off the ground a minute later was the result of sustained pressure by the forwards, notably Chris McMahon and Simon Close, whose chase and tackle won a free kick, which he centred to Jake Dunne who scored his second goal for the game. Intensity eased for a brief period during the quarter as the Rebels tired, but the damage had been done and they went to the last change with a 70 point lead.
The early part of the final quarter did not go according to plan and the Rebels allowed the Ranges to run the ball the length of the ground to score an easy goal. The team runners were kept busy delivering messages to lift intensity and cover opponents. Parish goaled at the fifteen minute mark, and it was Chris McMahon's strong second-effort a minute later and snap delivery to Parish, who again goaled, which allowed the Rebels to regain complete control of the contest. Dylan Parish's fifth goal towards the end of the quarter, and once again the result of a strong lead, saw the Rebels enjoy their fifth and most convincing win of the season.
Last Modified on 18/05/2009 22:36