Garfield’s Terry Mildren has developed into a fearless hard nut who often runs with the opposition’s best play maker when on the ball.By Ken Moore
LEONGATHA reversed the form guide and shocked Garfield with a 40point home victory. The Parrots drew clear halfway through the third quarter and never looked back. Talented halfforward flanker Adam Govers was at his elusive best, displayed clever skills and slotted home five majors to be the most productive forward on the ground. After the main break, Leongatha’s midfield of Jack Hughes, Caine Salmon, Tom Dowd and Marc Truscio (his first game for the season after being dumped by the Gippsland Power) worked their way on top and began to feed their forwards more regularly. Ben Geitz returned to the side after a month’s absence and made many timely interceptions and dashes out of defence. Paul LePage showed his usual grit and courage and laid many bonejarring tackles. Al Fixter played his first game for the season and showed he still had plenty to offer, chiming in with two goals.
The Stars’ best included Jake Hower in his 100th senior game and Ben Marsh. Both attacked the ball hard and had strong support from ruckman Tom Marsh and speedster Shaun Pickering. Mal McKenna spent a good deal of time midfield and, when moved forward in the last quarter, troubled the Parrot defence by kicking three goals, to make it four for the game. The most heartening aspect for Garfield was the performance of 16yearold Ned Marsh, who read play well and looked set for a bright future after a very encouraging senior debut.
It’s back to the drawing board for the 2005 premier Traralgon after a loss to Morwell by 28 points. Spectators were treated to a thrilling first half and the lead changed six times in rapid succession during the second quarter. After trailing by 11 points early in the last quarter, Morwell rattled on seven unanswered goals to close out the match and secure fourth position.
Rover Sam Mills won plenty of possessions around the packs and kicked five goals, including three in the second quarter, to keep the Tigers in the game. Ruckrovers Michael Cleaver and Adam Bailey propelled the ball forward regularly and Beau Sheridan returned to the senior side and moved well across the halfforward flank. Young Traralgon forward Lee Stockdale proved a handful for the Tigers’ defence, popping through five goals, Brenton Joyce was busy at centre halfforward and Ben Lindsay and Sam McCulloch were both rock solid in defence. Few punters would have picked Traralgon to be in sixth spot with only four rounds remaining.
Drouin was no match for Sale and the Magpies handed the Hawks a 127point drubbing.
Sale stamped its authority on the game with a five goalstonil first quarter and thereafter goals came at regular intervals for the Magpies. Chris Aurisch proved a real headache for Drouin with 10 majors and had able support from Nick Fowler, who dobbed six. Shane Fyfe was in the thick of the action, accumulating more than 30 possessions, and with his midfield allies Chris Laverty, Corey Scholtes and Jacob Schuback, toyed with their inexperienced counterparts. Drouin played Sale manonman but was simply outclassed. Hawk Bob McCallum controlled proceedings in the ruck, winning 40 knockouts, and Jordan and Kent Edwards had a redhot go in and around the midfield. Captaincoach Danny Murphy tried hard to lift his side and young wingman Matt Hedley showed he was coming of age as a footballer. Perhaps the most salient thing to emerge from the game for the Hawks was the game by David Olsen, who showed glimpses of his best with a solid performance from his wing.
Maffra downed Warragul by 52 points. The Eagles jumped the Gulls with the first four goals of the match but Warragul dragged itself back into the contest with a six goalstofour second quarter to get back within reach at halftime. The Maffra midfield of Hayden Burgiel, Ben Coleman, Ben Batalha, tall utility Daniel Stubbe and halfback Winston Gieschen took command in the second half and Adrian Burgiel, who played in defence in the first half, was moved forward and capped off a fine game with five secondhalf goals. Tough defender Sam Bristow put his body in well and repelled many threatening attacks, especially in the first half when the Gulls were at their most dangerous. After being outclassed for a good deal of the last half, Warragul scored four late goals and the Gulls can hold their heads high for they did not throw in the towel.
The Gulls’ cause was not helped by injuries to Rob Murphy and David ScottSmith early in the piece that denied them the luxury of rotating their players off the interchange bench after the main break. Desi Barr swept the ball out of defence regularly, John Reid, Nick Edney and Leigh Sheehan all did plenty of good work centrefield and Paul Wallin (in a loose man role in defence) and Gavin Huxley thwarted many attacks. Warragul lamented its turnovers and mistakes and appears a number of quality forwards short of the top two sides, Sale and Maffra. If it is any consolation for the Gulls’ loss represented a 65point improvement on the margin between the two sides in their roundsix clash.
