Avoca v Newstead
Avoca surprised Newstead at the Avoca Public Park on Saturday, winning by five points to break open the race for the Bendigo Bank Maryborough & Castlemaine District FNL's top four.
The Bulldogs set up their win with an outstanding first term in which they dominated from the centre breaks to allow star forward Murray Bond ample opportunities, and the big forward didn’t let his midfielders down, booting three out of Avoca's five first-quarter goals - including two goals in the first three minutes of a game played in drizzling rain throughout as Newstead could manage just one goal to give Avoca a twenty-five point quarter time lead.
From this point in the game it was a tough hard slog as conditions worsened throughout the game, however Newstead fought back well to decrease Avoca's lead to just seven points at three quarter time.
The fighting spirit of both teams was on show in the final quarter and the Bulldogs back line stood up to the pressure. Newstead's Mitchell Williams was the only goal scorer in the final term, but it was not enough to get over the Bulldogs who received a rousing reception from the Bulldog faithful gathered for a reunion of their 1993 premiership team after a memorable five-point win, 6.12.48 to 6.7.43, setting up a huge match next week against Harcourt who is positioned in fifth place on the ladder just above the Bulldogs on percentage.
Trentham v Campbells Creek
Campbells Creek Coach Sean Smith led the way with six goals in their 38 point victory over Trentham on Saturday.
Creek’s accurate shooting for goal was a highlight particularly in the opening term where both teams had a number of shots at goal but Creek kicked six straight goals to set up the pattern of play for the remainder of the game.
Glen Wallis played a supporting act to Smith with five goals while Gary Bradford was in control at the ruck duels.
Trentham showed some spirit after the main break with a five goal term, but it was nullified by Creek’s four goals to take a comfortable five goal margin into the final term, which was an even contest with the Creekers eventually winning by 38 points. Creek 17.3.105 to Trentham 10.7.67
Talbot v Lexton
Talbot re-confirmed their standing as the MCDFNL's "wet weather specialists" last Saturday, surprising Lexton with a two-point victory to keep their finals hopes alive.
Lexton won the opening term and would have been confident of continuing on their winning way, but a second term fight back by the Hawks saw the game change dramatically as they took a two point lead into the main break.
It was a tough hard slog in the slippery conditions of the Talbot Recreation Reserve but it was Lexton who took the upper hand with a seven point margin at three quarter time.
The Tigers, however, couldn’t put Talbot away in the exciting but tense final term, with the Hawks defenders proving too strong as the game came right down to the wire with Trent Barras kicking the winning goal with just 30 seconds on the clock.
Boe Gilmour, Kane Heathcock and Rowan Prentice were the driving force for the Hawks win and Trent Barras was the key forward with four goals for the game.
Harcourt v Maryborough Rovers
Harcourt continued their good form with a 118 point victory over a struggling Maryborough Rovers combination at the Harcourt reserve on Saturday.
Rovers were without Brad Fraser who is a key defender for the Magpies and his absence would not have been helpful as Matt Giri took advantage with six goals for the Lions on an otherwise inaccurate day for Harcourt, who managed just twenty goals from their 49 scoring shots.
The Lions are on a roll and this victory was their third in succession as they continue to press for a top four spot, which opened up for them on Saturday with losses to top-four incumbents Newstead and Lexton.
Andrew Nelson and Travis Moschetti again took their opportunities in the senior side, figuring amongst the Rovers' better players and Matt Stiles continued with his consistent form with another good showing.
The Lions better players were Michael Dwyer, Nathan Mitchell and Paul Chaplin and of course the dynamic Giri.
The Lions won 20.29.149 to 4.7.31
Natte Bealiba v Royal Park
Natte Bealiba has slogged out its sixth win of 2013 in shocking conditions to record a 43 point win over Royal Park.
Despite the mud and the rain, the Swans comprehensively outplayed the Tigers from start to finish, with Natte's ability to win the contested ball and then deliver to its forwards the major difference between the two sides.
Key targets Lachlan Cameron (3 goals) and Mark Fitzgerald had no trouble in front of goal, while Jacob Long, who revelled in the wet weather, and Ryan Weir also got in on the goal kicking action.
The Swans piled on the goals in the second half, while it's defence held firm, restricting Royal Park to just three goals for the day.
Long and Dean Graco were the victors' best performers in the wet, along with Matt Stagg and Chris Jardine, while Hamish Blake, Steven Shovan and Shane Grey were the Tigers' standouts on a trying day.
Carisbrook v Maldon
Saturday's sloppy conditions had little effect on Carisbrook's dominance, with the Redbacks recording a 59-point win over Maldon.
Lead by contested ball kings Matt Bilton and Jon Gray, the unbeaten Redbacks downed the Dons, 14.17 (101) to 5.12 (42) to hold on to their unbeaten record.
Nathan Wright continued his standout season in front of goal for Carisbrook, slotting three majors, while Jackson Bowen's return from injury continued swimmingly, with the big man booting two. Along with Gray and Bilton, Jay Anderson and Travis Cornwill were the Redback's best.
Matt Kile continues to impress up forward for Maldon, booting two and featuring among his side's best along with Nick McKnight, Kel Chaffey-Jones and Wayne Burchell.
Dunolly v Navarre
A five-goal haul to Ben Scott has helped Navarre overcome a determined Dunolly, downing the Eagles by 44 points on Saturday's difficult conditions.
Scott and fellow Navarre forward Kris Brennan were unstoppable, slotting nine majors between them for the day.
The Grasshoppers found themselves in unfamiliar territory at quarter time, down by nine points, before hitting back and holding the Eagles to just one behind in the second term. Navarre continued to drive home the goals in the second term, while also keeping close wraps on a Dunolly side eager to cause an upset.
Along with Scott and Brennan, Nick Murphy, Rhett Murphy and Josh Driscoll were the Hoppers' standouts, while Dylan Gordois, Damon Hughes and David Jackson were the Eagles' best, and veteran Paul Edwards slotted three majors.
Last Modified on 16/07/2013 10:50