The Wrap From Round Four
Navarre v Trentham
Five final quarter goals from Trentham’s Jake Keogh ignited a final quarter stampede of the Navarre Grasshoppers, as the Saints kicked nine goals in the final stanza, to win by a comfortable forty-eight points. 13.9.(87) to 5.9.(39)
The Saints were without without key forward Cooper Webber-Mirkin, and Navarre went into the game without the services of key defender Jayden Fowkes, and he was badly missed as Trentham slotted three goals in the first quarter through Liam Banco, Luke Whitehouse, and Jake Keogh.
The Saints were in control from the start as they held Navarre goalless in the first half of the game, but to the Grasshoppers credit, they also held the Saints goalless in the second term and looked to be on the verge of a comeback.
Trentham’s Joel Cowan instantly hit the scoreboard from a long goal when he ran the ball forward from the opening centre bounce of the second half, but it was quickly countered when Josh Fowkes did the same for Navarre at the next centre bounce.
It was challenging work for both teams and inaccuracy wasn’t helping Navarre who were in control in the third term, and when Richard Kaye kicked a left foot running goal the Grasshoppers were only twelve points in arrears at the final change.
Jake Keogh goaled early in the final quarter to make it an eighteen-point margin but then Navarre got to within six points just five minutes in when Billy Driscoll and Kaye again saluted with successive goals in two minutes. Then it was the Jake Keogh show as he kicked two quick goals to set the Saints alight.
Running players such as Liam Banco and Dylan Bourke started many forward moves and Zac Gervasoni was brilliant at the centre bounces as the Saints kicked the last six goals of the game to run out convincing winners.
The Saints better players were Joel Cowan, Jack Mighell, Liam Banco, Zac Gervasoni, and Jake Keogh with six goals for the game. Navarre’s better players were Louis Hannett, Shannon Treloar, Sam Kaye, Josh Fowkes and Billy Parry.
Harcourt v Lexton
Harcourt remains undefeated after a hard-fought clash with Lexton on Saturday.
The Lions knew it wasn’t going to be easy going against the Tigers, but a third quarter surge got the side up for its fourth win of the season.
Harcourt led at the first break by a goal, extending this by one point in the second, kicking 3.3 (21) to Lexton’s 3.2 (20) to lead 36-29 at the main break.
The Lions were reinvigorated by the break, slotting 5.3 (33) to two goals flat to take the biggest lead of the game of 28 points into the final quarter.
Lexton marginally won the fourth, kicking three goals to two however the damage was done with the Lions taking a 12.11 (83) to 9.8 (62) victory.
Ben Leech led the victory up forward with five goals, followed by Jed Rodda with three and Tom Walters with two however, the game winners were Kyle Hamilton, Lachlan Mitchell, Conan Dickman, Bryce Frost, Jeff McMurtrie and Kayne Davidson.
Bryce Karslake was great for the Tigers, getting votes alongside Bryce Karslake, Lachlan Rokebrand, Sam Dunn, Adrian Verhoeven, Louis Debast and Lochy Pett.
Harcourt remain at the top of the ladder, with Lexton now in sixth ahead of round five.
This weekend Harcourt will play Avoca at Avoca in what is likely to be another Lions victory while Lexton has a chance to get back on the winners’ list against Newstead.
Royal Park v Carisbrook
Carisbrook lapped up at triple-figure victory over Royal Park in round four, spearheaded by a 10-goal haul from star forward Anthony Zelencich.
It was clear almost immediately that Bushy was in for a tough day when Brook kicked 8.4 (52) to 1.1 (7) from the home side.
The Redbacks had slotted a further 7.6 (48) by half time, with Park managing a repeat 1.1 (7) to sit behind 14-100 at the break.
Brook stacked on a 10-goal-to-two third term, and completely ran away with the score in the closer, slotting an accurate 13.2 (80) to a single behind to run out 220-point winners.
The 4.3 (27) to 38.19 (247) end score was the Redbacks’ biggest victory of the year with Lewis Rinaldi, Nic Wright, Michael and Anthony Zelencich, Steven Patterson and Jackson Bowen named best on ground.
Fifteen Carisbrook players scored on the day, with Anthony leading the list with 10 snags, taking his season total to 14, Ash Munari kicking four and Dean Chester, Patterson and Rinaldi kicking three apiece.
Karson Guareschi was Park’s only multiple goal scorer with two and Jacob Rollason and Luke Relouw responsible for the other two.
Rhys Egan was again named among the best for the Tigers alongside Rhys Wagstaff, Zayne Rendell, Jackson Lanfranchi, Guareschi and Sam Flynn.
Royal Park has another massive hurdle up in round five, up against undefeated Trentham while Carisbrook is set for another win, facing bottom of the ladder Campbells Creek.
Talbot v Newstead
Talbot is finally on the winners’ list in 2022, defeating Newstead 18.6 (114) to 6.1 (37).
The Hawks started on the front foot, leading four goals to two in a very accurate opening quarter.
The Kangaroos slotted two goals in flat in the second, however Talbot turned it on for glory with a 5.4 (34) term to lead by 34 at half time.
Another four goals from the Hawks were met by 2.1 from the visitors, with Talbot home and hosed ahead of the closing term.
Talbot didn’t hold back however, kicking 5.2 (32) while keeping Newstead scoreless for the 77-point victory.
The win was led by Matt Bond who slotted eight goals off his own boot in a best on ground performance, with Ryan Aquilina and Adam Scott the only other multiple goal scorers with two each.
Bond, Scott, Trent Serverino, Trent Barras, Zac Graham and Sam Hitchings were the best players for the Hawks, claiming votes.
Harrison Harbrow, Toa Green, Nathan Packman, Joel Smith, Steven Shovan and Cordie McKendry were best on for the Steaders, with Smith and Nathan Webster leading goal kicking with two each.
Talbot is now ranked 11th on the ladder, behind Newstead in 10th due to percentage only with the Roos having played one more game this season.
Newstead has a tough task ahead up against Lexton in round five while Talbot will have to fight hard to claim its second win against Navarre.
Maryborough Rovers v Avoca
After a challenging first half at Princes Park on Saturday, Avoca took control in the second half to run out winners by a comfortable sixty-five-point margin at the final siren. 20.15.(135) to 10.10.(70)
Maryborough Rovers were more than up to the challenge and were only eight points in arrears at quarter time, and again showed that they were not going to be easybeats when giving the Bulldogs a tough contest to be within four goals at half time.
Jason Hunt was having a big bearing on the game as he led the way for the bulldogs, but he hobbled from the ground with a bad ankle in the third term. The game was having its fiery moments and a melee developed at three quarter time which ignited the Bulldogs as they kicked four final quarter goals to just one for the home team.
Tyson Cope was the main avenue to goal for Avoca kicking six goals and being named as their best player, while the introduction of Ryan Kitchin into the senior team after two best on ground performances in the Ressies, was also a positive for the Bulldogs as he dominated the ruck position. Others to play well were Bryce Antonio, Nick Coghlan, Jason Hunt, and Daniel Howell.
Rover’s better players were Marshall Murray who continues to shine for the Magpies, Jack Dawson, Andrew Siekai, Joseph Smith, and Joel Radlof. Andrew Siekai has been a particularly good recruit for the Magpies and kicked four goals for the game.
Campbells Creek v Maldon
The much-awaited clash between Campbells Creek and Maldon which saw former Tigers star Alex Rance play for the home team saw a big crowd at Campbells Creek reserve watch the Bombers run out winners by ninety-two points.20.20. (140 to 7.6.(48)
Rance started the day down back, ventured into the middle and finished the day up forward.
He did have an influence for the Creekers kicking three goals and being named amongst the better players, but the Bombers were too strong despite the former Richmond Premiership player’s influence.
Maldon averaged five goals a quarter in their victory, but Creek did manage to kick their highest score so far this season, but it was nowhere near enough to trouble the Bombers who won very easily. Maldon’s best players were Alex Farrow, Ash Woodman, Hayden Kelly, Bryce Coffey, and David Wilson with Rhys Ford kicking five goals to take his tally to nineteen goals for the season.
Creek’s better players were Nick O’Brien, Sean Moss, Dylan Stevens, and Lachlan Hyland, and others to perform well were Like Manning and Alex Rance with three goals.
Dunolly v Natte-Bealiba
Dunolly and Natte-Bealiba met at Deledio Oval on Saturday and at quarter time it was the Eagles that led at the first change by five points, much to the delight of the local crowd. Coach Zeik Johnson laid the law down at the huddle and the Swans started to flex their muscles and while only leading by sixteen points at half time, the signs were showing that a second half massacre was about to commence, and it did!
Enter Danny Brewster who finished the game with thirteen goals to take his tally to forty-two goals from four games. The Swans ran rampant in the second half kicking sixteen goals and holding the Eagles to just three behinds.
The final scores being 21.13.(139) to 3.7.(25) Brewster led the massacre and others to be named amongst the better players were Zac Mortlock, Jordi Cossar, Jayden Templeton, and Trent Mortlock. The Eagles were well served by Lachlan Tranter, Ben McKinley, Bailey Wingrave and Max Ryan. Others to play well were Luke Crowley and Mathew Bradley. Toby Johnston was the only multiple goal scorer with two goals.
