SENIOR FOOTBALL:
The round 16 clash presented the Bulldogs with a big challenge up against third-placed Rochester, on the tiger’s home ground, Moon Oval. The conditions were fine; although after the rain on Friday, the surface was a little heavy.
Tatura welcomed back Leigh Owen and Billy Hicks replacing the injured Tommy Durward and James Sullivan.
Both sides were coming off the bye last week; the contest was billed as potentially the match of the year. The stakes were high, especially for Rochester; a loss would have them back in the log jam for a double chance come finals time.
For the Bulldogs, a win would have more of a psychological advantage, especially coming off the comfortable win they had earlier in the season at home against the Tigers.
The Bulldogs opened the contest full of running and with total commitment to the ball; the Tigers also attacked each contest with intent. There were no easy kicks to be had and it was GVFL football at its hardest and best.
Shannon Broadbent was on the end of Paul Kirby’s excellent tap work, whose involvement in winning the hard ball was exceptional. Unfortunately for the visitors, scoreboard pressure was missing.
After dominating the first 15 minutes the result was only four behinds. Rochester’s first forward entry resulted in a goal. This was immediately answered by a Cam Trewin mark and goal from the square.
The pattern for the game seemed to be set and, although winning around the stoppages and sending the ball constantly into attack, the finishing work was sloppy and these missed shots on goal would eventually haunt the side.
The statistics showed the Bulldogs had 20 forward entries to the Tigers six for the opening quarter. However, the straight shooting on goal by Rochester had them up by 11 points at the first break.
A brilliant individual piece of ruck work, by best-on-ground Paul Kirby, resulted in him slotting a snapped goal to open the second term. While momentum was with the visitors, poor skills caused the ball to be turned over, which hurt the Bulldogs.
Tom Sullivan and Linc Wellington won plenty of football, constantly drove the ball into attack and worked overtime to keep their team in the contest.
The game was a bruising affair and became a real arm wrestle, with neither side able to gain a significant lead.
At the long break, the Tigers held a five-point lead; even though the Bulldogs had had five more shots on goal.
The third term started like the first, with Tatura dominating play to keep the Tigers goalless, whilst adding two goals and five behinds and an eight-point lead at the final break.
Unfortunately, quite a few of the behinds were misses that should have been goals; simple skill errors such as these will need to be eradicated if the side is to be a realistic chance of winning the big one.
Ryan Crawford led the defence well; his strong spoiling and fierce attack on the footy was inspirational. Billy Hicks put himself in a position to win a lot of football and his run and carry of the ball got better as the game evolved.
The inability to hit targets was a recurring theme throughout the game and players, who generally are reliable, turned the ball over.
The Tigers took control of the game in the final term. Early in the final stanza, the Bulldogs had a 13-point lead. However, that was to be it for the match. The Rochester outfit slammed on four unanswered goals to power home as the 13-point winners.
While the feeling in the rooms after the game was one of disappointment, it was evident that the coaching panel will take a fair bit from the contest. A top two place can be secured with one more victory from the final two matches.
The old saying that it was the loss that we needed may ring true and the proof will come in six weeks time.
SCORES: Tatura 9-16-70 V Rochester 12-11-83
GOALS: P Kirby 3, C Trewin 2, J warren 1, R Montgomery 1, A O’Reilly 1, S Broadbent 1.
BEST: S Broadbent, T Sullivan, P Kirby, L Wellington, R Crawford, B Hicks.
RESERVES FOOTBALL:
The Reserves, who came up against the undefeated Tiger’s outfit, found the going tough and suffered an 87-point defeat. With several players missing due to injury and unavailability, the side was undermanned against such a quality opposition.
Jayce O’Neill hurt his medial ligament early in the contest and took no further part, which depleted the side even more. It is hoped his injury is not too serious and he will be on the field soon. Corey Mallon and Jon Coe, players who have played senior football and are pushing hard to regain their places, put in great performances; they worked hard at every contest and, in the first half, their work had the under dogs down by only 17 points.
The weight of numbers took its toll in the second half as the bigger, stronger bodies of Rochester took control. Josh Harris, who has had a very consistent season, tried his heart out, as did Steve Beale, Adam Brassil and Matt Pollard. Zac Brian, up from the U/18s, also held his own and showed he is up to the standard.
The team is still in third place and, with a winnable game against Kyabram coming up, they can still cement a good position on the ladder.
SCORES:
Tatura 3-1-19 V Rochester 15-16-106
GOALS: C Mallon 2, J Walters 1.
BEST: J Coe, C Mallon, J Harris, A Brassil, S Beale, M Pollard.
U/18s FOOTBALL:
The young pups were the only victorious football team for the day; they were 22-point winners in a hard fought contest.
Dylan Argus returned to goal kicking form with five goals and he was ably joined by Mitch Elliott in a best-on-ground performance. Matt Cordy, another talented junior up from the U/16s, added great skill and ball-getting ability to the side. Robert Kirby continued his development as a tall player, taking marks and using the ball well. Sean Martin, Matt Cornwall and Damon Guyalso lifted the intensity and provided plenty of run.
The eventual win was a great reward for the coaching panel, which has developed a very competitive team; one that has continued to improve as the season has progressed.
SCORES: Tatura 9-5-59 V Rochester 5-7-37
GOALS: D Argus 5, M Elliott 2, M Cornwall 1, R Kirby 1.
BEST: M Elliott, Z Brian, M Cordy, S Martin, D Guy, M Cornwall.
Last Modified on 23/08/2012 12:19