EDFL match of the day

By Ken Moore
THE reigning premier Catani put an end to Warragul Industrials’ finals prospects when it comfortably beat the Dusties by 42 points.
Both teams entered the game below full strength, Catani missing Hayden Smart, Michael Stockx and Peter Aitkinson and Warragul its inspirational captaincoach Paul Rust.
Catani got a good start with a goal by Brad McDonald and the Industrials replied instantly with majors by Shane Ingham and Scott Francis in a bright opening.
The home side drew level after Luke McFarlane pulled in a freakish mark and goaled from a difficult angle but the Dusties lifted when Mark Davie and Matt Adams found space to put the visitors two goals to the good midway through the term.
Thereafter Catani dominated with four unanswered goals to stamp its authority on the game.
Blues wingman Josh Tymensen produced one of the best individual quarters of the season, scoring three of these majors, all with long raking kicks on the run from outside 50 metres in a display befitting a top AFL footballer.
Catani opened the better in the second term when Chris MacLean pounced on a loose ball to open up a 28point lead, but the Dusties with free kicks and accurate conversions by Dave Bracken and Damien Dawson clawed their way back within reach.
But Catani again finished the quarter full of running and with two goals by captaincoach Paul Alger and singles by Owen Fitzpatrick and Brent Mounsey the reigning premier went into the main break with a commanding 42point lead.
Catani’s halftime lead was due to its midfield led by Paul Alger with strong support from Shane Warren, Josh Tymensen, Ben Maroney, Aaron Alger and Luke McFarlane.
Under pressure the Dusties’ defence of Kristian Majcherzak, Dean Forrest and Peter McKenna provided good resistance and Rob Hefford and change ruckman Ben Hobgen were the best of its midfielders.
The Industrials attacked well in the opening minutes of the third term but were made to pay for poor kicking in front of goals when Catani hit them on the rebound with majors by Shane Warren and speedster Aaron Alger.
Warragul kept coming and with two goals by Russell Ware and another by Ingham the Dusties gave themselves an outside chance as they were coming home with a wind that appeared to get marginally stronger during the third term.
However the Blues steadied late in the quarter with a goal by Mounsey and went into the last break 38 points in front.
In search of early goals to keep its season alive Warragul pressed hard but Catani got numbers back in defence to stymie the best the Industrials could generate.
The Industrials finals hopes were dashed midway through the last term when Aaron Alger drifted forward to score his second goal and the game fizzled out as the scoring dried up and the Blues held on to run out comfortable 42point victors.
Paul Alger demanded the ball and surged forward all game to orchestrate Catani’s victory.
Shane Warren, Josh Tymensen and Luke McFarlane were all superb in the engine room and Nathan Ruskin, Chris MacLean and Ben Maroney all spoilt well and mopped up everything in defence.
The form of ruckman Luke Tymensen, who read play well and picked up many handy possessions in the second half, will also please Catani.
The close checking of the Catani defence and good commitment to team principles were a feature of its game.
“It was a good start and finish but we’ve still got a bit of work to do and we will look forward to the week off,” Paul Alger said after the match.
Warragul lost because few of its players could impose themselves on the game.
The better players for the Dusties included defenders McKenna and Francis, midfielders Hefford, Ingham, Michael McCormack and Hogben and forwards Bracken, Leon Duncan and Jason Kennedy all bobbed up frequently.
Sidelined Dusties coach Rust rued his team’s poor first half and kicking in front of goal in the last half.
It was a disappointing end to the season for the Dusties, who looked a good thing to make the finals for much of the season.
Nonetheless Industrials improved on last season, winning four more matches and laying a solid platform to build upon next year.