By Ken Moore
GARFIELD lived up to their reputation of digging deep in tough times after it opened their winning account for the 2009 season with a stunning effort to upset the 2008 premiers, Sale, by 18 points.
The Stars entered the game at prohibitive odds but won faith with its loyal supporters, many who hung tough over summer after the club lost three quarters of its senior list, with a spirited second half revival to over turn a 16 point half time deficit.
Combative Stars Captain Coach Brent Eastwell led by example all over the field, veteran forward Mal McKenna turned back the clock to score seven goals and never say die ruck rover Ben Marsh burrowed in and funnelled out the ball to team mates all game.
Jim Bow and Shane Reid read play well and were outstanding across the half back line while Zeke Hower gave his team mates a good target across the forward line in a fine team effort.
After struggling to field a team in a practice match against Longwarry only six weeks ago, Garfield has performed beyond its wildest dreams in the last two rounds with a fighting loss against Warragul prior to Saturday’s victory.
Sale were well served by Corey Scholtes who won a heap of possessions across half back and through the middle, while young wingman Harry Cross, back pocket Liam Hogan and ruckman Toby Leeds all caught the eye.
Premiership coach Adrian Cox was the Magpies’ most productive forward with four goals.
Injuries to key Magpie playmakers Rodney Love and Nick Fowler in the first half saw that the visitors had only one man on the interchange bench after half time and this did not help their cause.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Hawks rob Gulls
IN A heart stopper on a glorious Sunday afternoon and in front of a big crowd, Warragul’s incredible hoodoo over arch rivals and neighbours Drouin continued after it snatched victory with an after the siren goal by star Ellinbank recruit Tommy Johnson.
The Guls looked in control when they led by 28 points at half time but didn’t bargain for a rejuvenated Hawks to come out firing and score nine third quarter goals to grab an eight point lead at the last break.
In an arm wrestle in the last quarter, the Hawks failed to score and two goals by Warragul, including Johnson’s after the bell winner was enough to keep up their amazing record over the luckless Drouin.
Johnson, a best and fairest winner at Gippsland Power in 2006 was prominent all game and scored five goals from centre half forward but tarnished his game by being yellow carded in the second term for an errant elbow on Drouin’s Dean McFarlane that precipitated a large melee mid way through the second quarter.
Along with five goals by elusive full forward Nathan Lieshout and good midfield run from Tim Keily, Des Barr, Ross Glover, Leigh Sheehan, ruckman Matt Gray and Brett Davis, the Guls looked on track for victory at half time.
The game took on a different complexion after half time with the Hawk midfield led by Malcolm Dow with three goals, Pat McGrath, Daniel Barrand, Sam Proctor and follower Bob McCallum all lifting appreciably.
Brad Carmody with three goals presented well all game to be the best of the Hawk forwards.
New Drouin coach Ben Soumilas and all Hawk supporters will be shattered by their start to the season.
While Drouin, who won the wooden spoon in 2008 have exhibited a vast improvement this season, due to a 12 point loss to Traralgon, a one point loss to Moe and the four point loss to Warragul, it now goes into the fourth round with a nil-three win-loss record and these narrow losses may come back to haunt them later in the season for it appears nothing will separate all bar the improving Garfield from making up the top five.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Eagles over Lions
MAFFRA made it two wins in a row with a hard fought 27 point home victory over Moe.
The final score line flattered the Eagles as the Lions had plenty if not more of the ball and after Maffra lead by 41 points at half time Moe crept within nine points in the final term before Maffra steadied.
The Eagles had a big weapon in talented utility Daniel Stubbe, who led and marked well and slotted through seven majors and with support from Adrian Burgiel and Jesse Bedggood, who both posted three goals apiece, the Eagles had the more potent attacking options.
The clinical delivery of classy Eagle midfielders Ben Batalha, 18-year-old Kelvin Porter, Craig Robbins and Ben Coleman made the difference while the unheralded Eagle defence led by David Adams stood up well all game.
There was a lot to like about athletic big man Owen Booth, who stepped up from the reserves last season to make significant impact around the ground.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Parrots on top
LEONGATHA remain undefeated after a 23 point victory over Morwell.
Parrot forward and Swan Hill recruit Dwayne Holt kicked six goals and again made a big impression with his ability to work hard and impose pressure on the opposition when he did not have the ball.
Rover Tommy Dowd, centreman Brad Rayson and ruckman Justin Sutherland provided drive over all four quarters.
A debutant, Tom Marriot showed he has a bright future with a lively game across half forward.
Tips – Round 4.
Likely winners in capitals.
WARRAGUL v Maffra.
Sale v DROUIN.
MORWELL v Garfield.
MOE v Traralgon (night).
Leongatha – bye.
