Carisbrook hosted Dunolly at Carisbrook Recreation Reserve on Saturday in the Bendigo Bank Maryborough  Castlemaine District Football Netball League Round 5 clash. The match was played in perfect conditions under a sunny sky in the Pink Mother’s Day round to promote Breast Cancer Awareness.

 Carisbrook got themselves off to a positive start when Brendan Lloyd snapped truly at the scoreboard end to bring up the first major of the day. This was soon followed by another from Lachlan Hurse who was proving to be a dangerous target deep in attack for his side.

 Furious tackling from both sides was a constant throughout the first term as both sides battled hard in the middle to gain clearances. Joe Thompson for the Eagles was hitting the footy hard while Keenan Dingo was busy early across half back for the Redbacks, finding space and bringing his team mates into the game with his accurate passing by hand and foot. Dingo’s duel with Lachlan Cunningham was a highlight of the first quarter while Carisbrook’s Jackson Bowen who was back from duties with the Bendigo Pioneers, Hurse and Tom Wright were all giving the Dunolly defence headaches as they managed to be effective forwards, all adding to the scoreboard which saw Carisbrook put on seven first term goals.

 Dunolly managed three goals in the opening quarter but inaccuracy prevented them from kicking more. Dale Larkin was the best of the Eagle forwards early after starting in the middle, adding two while Lachlan Cunningham swooped on a loose ball to bring up his first for the day. At quarter time, Carisbrook held a 21 point advantage.

 The second term was a tight, low scoring affair, highlighted by congested footy which required the midfielders from both sides to get in and under in an attempt to gain a clearance for their side to go forward. Dunolly coach Lee Stewart was becoming important with his clean use of the ball in close and he was well supported by Josh Sullivan down back who has stepped into a leader’s role for his side. Dale Larkin and Joe Thompson were also good for the Eagles while David Bilton and Kyle Lierich were coming into the game with their run.

 For Carisbrook Jason Hare was great around the ground, with his educated use of the footy while Jarrod Graco and Nick Robinson began to find plenty of the pink ball.

 Arnold Dulla kicked Dunolly’s only major after being rewarded for a good tackle while Tom Wright added Brook’s only goal for the quarter very late after marking a kick from his ruckman, Hare to maintain a 22 point lead at the main break.

 The start of the third again saw Carisbrook bring up the first goal, this time through Luke Robinson who kicked truly after receiving a 50 metre penalty. Dunolly were playing good footy but were finding it difficult to reign in the four goal deficit.

 Liam Mottram came to the aid of the Eagles at this point, playing out of the goal square. He frustrated the Carisbrook defence with his great reading of the ball and effective leads. This enabled him to put on three majors in a row, one from a snap, one from a mark and one from a free for in the back. He and Larkin were combining well up forward , with Larkin having the better of his opponent at Centre Half Forward, enabling the left footer to again spot up Mottram for his fourth which saw the Eagles right back in the game.

 Dunolly were winning the clearances out of the centre at this point with Liddicoat having the advantage in the ruck with his high leaping.

 Carisbrook answered again however with a long snap from Dingo which went through for a goal after the ball formed a perfect off cutter to bounce through the big sticks at right angles. Richard Phillips put on a consecutive major for Brook to help hold off the Eagles, but again Dunolly lifted with Leirich roving beautifully from a forward stoppage to hit back with a goal. Bilton then put on another for Dunolly to bring the margin back to nine points in Carisbrook’s favour. Dunolly allowed Brook to score with ten seconds remaining, as Jackson Bowen snapped truly from the goal square to get the advantage out to fifteen at the final break.

 Craig Mortlock gave his troops an almighty bake at three quarter time, the Redback coach not happy with the work rate of some of his players.

 Carisbrook responded well early in the last with both Phillips and Tom Wright goaling after taking strong contested grabs up forward. Dunolly young gun Perry Turner answered with a nice snap goal as Marty Kelly’s work in the middle was becoming important for the Eagles.

 Jason Hare continued his dominance around the ground, with his run into space and ability to link with his Brook team mates vital in the final term. When Richard Phillips got onto a loose ball up forward and snapped truly, it was clear that the 26 point lead would be too much for the Eagles to peg back with the clock ticking down. David Bilton kicked his second late in the game to see the final margin 20 points in favour of Carisbrook as the siren signaled the end to an entertaining contest.

Liam Mottram Pictured kicked four goals.