LION PRIDE
By Louie Bulzomi
Having been the bridesmaid against Bambill for ages, Cardross became the bride with a stirring 22-point victory, 15.12 (102) to 11.14 (80), at Henshilwood Oval.
The first quarter was extremely fast-paced. The only difference was that the Lions missed a few crucial opportunities while the Saints made the most of theirs. Damien Spicer, Jake Zoch, Brady Dalla Santa, Simon Kelly, Ryan McClelland and Steve Sellens were all up and about for their respective sides.
The reverse occurred in the second as the Lions straightened up and the Saints went wayward. In general play, every contest was not for the weak at heart as both sides attacked the ball brutally.
Things further tightened up in the third. David Hall was significant around the ground, and Jason Hunt, Justin Merrett, Robbie Morgan and Michael Hickey won plenty of contested ball as Bambill snuck ahead.
But Cardross, not content with another honourable loss, blew the game open in the final term to retain fourth place. Jack Stanley played his best game for the club, while Tom Wallace and Dalla Santa showed physical dominance all day.
Euston remain in finals contention after defeating Nangiloc by 63 points, 19.16 (130) to 10.7 (67), at Bomberland.
Evergreen Phil Connell lined up for his 150th game, and he, Bryce Denaro and Toby Quirk-Meeks were prominent early as the Bombers got the jump. Ian Mennie, Linden Duryea and Luke Benham were all providing headaches for the Demon defence, while Tom Healy and Jay Togo led the way down back.
A nice duck dance and snap for a goal by the ageless Gary Weaver kick-started Nangiloc in the second. Sam Lee presented well up forward, and Luke Weaver, Luke Collett and Ben Mansell all lifted. But Euston maintained a 16-point break thanks mainly to Cleon Hannah, Harlan Pettit and Joseph Denaro.
Despite legend Kelvin Cox’s best efforts, kicking errors plagued the Demons in the third. The midfield brigade of Connell, Josh Healy and the Denaros were clinical, while Duryea bagged three goals and Cameron Browne made an impact as the Bombers kicked clear.
A prolific 6.7 to 2.1 final quarter further exemplified the hunger that Euston still have to make the finals despite their horror last two months.
The match of the round lived up to its billing as Gol Gol took the ‘edge’ from Werrimull with a 20-point win, 21.12 (138) to 18.10 (118), at Lake Cullulleraine.
The Magpies suffered a huge blow before the game with Mark Duscher pulling out. But Adam Thomson and Jay Savage helped fill the void with two goals apiece in a close first term. For the Hawks, Sonny Lindsey, Nick Rodi and Kaleb Sherwell all hit the scoreboard as they ended the quarter seven points up.
Tempers flared in the second as the game became a scramble. While Gol Gol’s Tim Vandenberg was forced off with a yellow card, Thomson put on an impressive display with five magnificent goals as Werrimull drew level at the main change.
Goals were shared for much of the third until the Hawks pulled away late with Lindsey, Sherwell and Dustin Duggan providing handfuls for the Magpie defence.
Ryan Tierney and Graham Mentiplay kept on running in the last, but Werrimull otherwise looked flat-footed as Gol Gol completed an 82-point turnaround from their Round 9 encounter.
Next week, Bambill host Gol Gol, Nangiloc host Werrimull, and Cardross and Euston meet in a vital game at Henshilwood Oval.
Last Modified on 06/08/2012 15:41