Alberton FNL Round 9 review

MATCH REVIEW

Fish Creek were on the road again this week at Foster to take on premiership favourites, the Foster Tigers. The Tigers have regained some key players in recent weeks and in current form are no doubt the short-priced favourites to go one better in 2019.

The Kangaroos on the other hand are teetering and with a couple of key injuries and an ordinary performance the week prior they needed to give a good account of themselves against Foster.

Foster won the toss and elected to kick with the advantage to the hospital end. An even start to the match on a heavy deck and it was the Kangaroos that were on the board first with a well won free kick to Shaw that he converted from 30m out. The Tigers answered a couple of minutes later through Granger with a very nice shot on goal from tight on the boundary. Both sides were using the ball well and the battle between the ruckman Manne and Cook was a beauty.

Fish Creek goaled after a good mark and kick from big-man Adlington, but again Foster would answer almost immediately via one of their young guns Angwin, who was finding plenty of space on the wing early in the match.

Foster pressed hard through the later part of the quarter and they started to get on top with late goals to Kane and McGowan that gave them a 17-point lead at the first break. Into the second quarter and the Kangaroos had to take their opportunity to the scoring end and they got off to a great start when Stefani snapped a great goal only a couple of minutes into the quarter. The ball was hot and the spectators were being treated to some hard contested footy with both sides cracking in. Fish Creek’s Cooper got two goals in two minutes, the second of which was the goal of the day after some fantastic teamwork carried the ball from one end of the ground to the other and was capped by a goal on the run that put the Kangaroos back in front mid-way through the term. Four more lead chances through the second part of the quarter after McGowan got a cheap 50m that resulted in a goal, Fish Creek’s Stefani got his second before Foster’s De Niese-McGregor got his first to give the Tigers a four-point lead at the main break.

The third quarter was all Foster and a five -goal to nil quarter was ultimately going to be the difference in the match. The Tigers showed their class through this quarter totally outplaying the Kangaroos and multiple goals to the other Tiger young gun Rathjen and singles to Granger, Kane and McGowan gave the Tigers a 40-point lead going into the final quarter. Fish Creek were going to need to produce something special to get back into this one but the Tigers weren’t about to let this one slip and a single last quarter goal to Fish Creek would only reduce the final margin to 38 points and give Foster their first win against Fish Creek since Round 1, 2016.

MATCH REVIEW

New Toora recruit Jayvin Kerighan had the impact the club predicted he eventually would in his side’s thrilling 85-81 win over Meeniyan Dumbalk United. With only two minutes left and the Magpies down two points, Jayvin swooped up the ball in the forward pocket and snapped home a terrific winner from 40 out. The excitement machine had been causing problems for MDU for the whole fourth quarter and away coach Brett Mitchell took notice.

“He was a huge spark and kicked a couple sensational goals when we needed them,” he said. “He’s got that X-factor about him; he’s got incredible skill and pace and reads the play very well.” The day started better for MDU however, with players like Steve Hawkins, on-baller Jarrod Hoy and ruckman Michael Smith giving them a strong start and a four-point advantage by half-time. Coach Steve Wright was happy with the even contribution of his side. “We played some strong footy as a team throughout and I was happy with the way the whole side went,” he said.

Toora responded to this in the third, kicking away through Matt Baxter and holding a 21-point lead at the final break. Steve Wright’s men responded brilliantly in the fourth though, managing to win the ball out of the middle and use their pace and fitness to retake the lead. “They had a few down on their rotations so we knew we could run over the top of them,” coach Wright said.

“The belief the team had was fantastic and they’re starting to realise they can beat teams, which is a good sign going forward.” Despite this comeback Toora were able to regain composure, with Kerighan’s skill on show and leading the way to a dramatic win. “Our ability to stand up when we had players down and get the win was very good to see,” coach Mitchell said. “Our passion and courage at the contest made a big difference.” While his team took a tough loss, coach Wright believes they only have a bit to adjust for their next game against Fish Creek. “We’re close; we just need to work on our skills in moving it inside our forward line,” he said.

MATCH REVIEW

Stony Creek were on fire in captain Dylan Zuidema’s 300th club game, disposing of a vulnerable Tarwin 96-44 at Stony Creek Recreation Reserve on Saturday. The home side were clearly galvanised by the occasion, bringing high intensity from the start of the game and never looking back.

Coach Scott Anderson knew there was an extra incentive for his team to get the win this time around.

“It was a massive win for the club and it was for Dylan,” he said.

“He’s the heart and soul of the club and the team bled for him really.” The Maroons started well and completely overwhelmed the away side in the third and fourth quarters, leading 72-38 at the final break and extending that to 96-44 at the final siren.

With some players going down before half-time and Nick Dickinson of Tarwin booting multiple goals, it was up to the team to persist and coach Anderson was thrilled with how they responded. “We had no bench after half-time, so the emphasis was on gut running and run and carry,” he said.

“We played our own style in the second half and kept it away from their tall forwards, which was great.” Midfielder Darcy Atkins was again a standout for Stony Creek, battling through tags and helping to feed Jayden Nolan, who had six goals, up front. This was Nolan’s second week in a row kicking a bag or more, making it unlikely he will return to his full-back position.

Coach Anderson was more than impressed by his two star players for the game.

“Darcy is a bull; he got every clearance and tackled and ran all day,” he said.

“What Jayden is doing is also pretty amazing; he’s a full-back but after the form he’s been in he’s absolutely got to stay forward.”