NARRE Warren celebrated the selection of gun rover Ricky Clark in the VCFL state representative squad with an 87point demolition of Keysborough at Fox Road on Saturday.
The Magpies were challenged by their tenacious opponent in the first half, but superior fitness and an edge in experience and class across the ground saw the home side boot away, scoring 13 goals to five after halftime.
Lee Clark was on target with seven goals for the Magpies, bringing his personal tally to 41 for the year, while Burra recruit Stuart Nagle was also in great form, finishing with six of his side’s nine goals from centre halfforward.
In a key clash, Keysborough fullforward Luke McGuinness was well held by tough Narre Warren defender Danny Brewster, managing only two goals for the afternoon.
Ricky Clark was best afield with more than 50 touches on the stats’ sheet, while Magpie teammates including Glenn Hamilton, Michael Collins and Daniel Field also dominated and found plenty of the leather throughout the match.
Narre Warren coach Aussie Jones’ ordinary run with injury continued after he strained a hamstring in the opening term, but he said afterwards that the team did not rely on one or two players and praised his players’ commitment to date.
“We went well and worked our way into the game,” he said. “It was a physical game as expected, but played in good spirit,” he said.
“We had 21 contributors and that’s been the key to the year so far. Externally, the pressure is building but here, at the club, we’re training and playing as we’ve planned and taking it as it comes.”
DOVETON’S injury list grew on the weekend despite the Doves achieving a strong 101point result over lowly Devon Meadows on Saturday, highlighted by a 10goal haul from gun player David George.
Star midfielder Justin Hill rolled an ankle on Thursday night and was forced out of the side, while interleague forward Ryan Hendy also damaged an ankle late in Saturday’s game and joined the Doves’ burgeoning list of sore players.
After a good start, Devon Meadows fell away in the second quarter and Doveton took control with George, Shannon Clarke and youngster Ryan Pearson making a mess of the Panthers’ midfield.
Robert Hughes was brilliant at centre halfforward and Hendy joined the party, slotting through five goals before going down with his injury, but it was George who took the game on and assistant coach Mick McIver was suitably impressed.
“He ruckroved early on and twinged his knee a little in the third quarter, so we left him in a forward pocket after that and he was just brilliant,” he said.
“He’s a ball magnet on the field and just a terrific bloke to go with it.”
Devon Meadows was undermanned compared to their opponents, but battled the game out with Matthew Davey booting five goals and Scott Young, Daniel Mullen and captain Jesse DeHey among their best.
McIver said the Panthers hit the ground running, but could not keep up the pressure.
“They came out really strong and were really good early, but it was their fitness (that let then down),” he said.
“About half way through the second quarter they started to drop off and we got on top. It was one of the best games our boys have played all year.”
DINGLEY played its best game of 2006 and was competitive with Tooradin in the first half of its match at the Westernport oval, before the Seagulls’ class saw them to a 116point win.
The Dingoes’ score of 7.11.53 was easily its best effort in a dismal season and coach David Barnes was thrilled with his young team’s endeavour, led by Stephen Pitt, Chris Morgan and the Lavars brothers Tony and Brett.
Tooradin did what it had to after the initial challenge and proved itself a professional and competent unit.
Coach Dan O’Loughlin booted six goals, while recruit Ben Scanlon finished with four as the main support.
Aaron Hyde and Aaron Setford led the Seagulls who did not have a bad player on the day and O’Loughlin was happy to get trough the game without injury or incident.
“We got through the game unscathed and our goal for the day was to get fifth spot (on the ladder) and we achieved that,” he said.
“I know Dingley is struggling, but you still have to win it and to their credit, they served it up to us for a half. They’ve got some good talls and they play through them well.”
