Mid Gippsland FL Round 13 review

Reg Bacon’s Hambone Trophy stayed at Hill End as the Hillman inflicted their 91^st victory over Boolarra. It was Hill End’s fourth successive victory over Boolarra but there were no records set in the wet and heavy conditions. Hill End were the better team on the day but kicking for goal was below expectations. Both teams had one goal on the board at half time but Hill End had more shots, an incredible 17 to two for 1-16 to 1-1. Hill End had a stir at the break as Michael Tanto gave them a burst, In the heavy rain which obliterated Boolarra’s defence the Hill Enders kicked straighter to add 3-2 to Boolarra’s two sole points. A further 10 shots in the last term to nil saw the final score at Hill End 8-24 to Boolarra’s 1-3. Isaac Ketchen and Bailey Young both got a brace for Hill End with the best players being Isaac Ketchen, Ambu Uliando, Clay Ketchen and Simon Fairbairn. For Boolarra it wasn’t their best effort this season but players that stood out were Matt Windsor, Sam Mazou, Matt Buglisi and James Holmes.

(Independent observer)

Bad kicking by both Morwell East and Newborough saw only eight goals and 25 behinds being scored. Newborough had the better by one point in a tight match. Like a couple of other games only one goal each at half time but Morwell East led by two points (1-7 to 1-5). Newborough with two goals in the third took a seven point lead by three-quarter. Inaccuracy nearly brought Newborough undone as Morwell East kept the Dogs under the pump, the East added 2-4 but leaked Newborough 1-4 which was enough to give the Dogs a 1 point win 4-13 to 4-12. Morwell East’s Lucas Towns was the only multiple goal scorer. Newborough’s better players were Josh Bland, Mat Slattery, Manny Faustin and Jared Risol while the East were best served by Zack Mangion, Brandon Francis, Rob Michaelides and Dylan Field, the loss by the East virtually putting them out of the finals.

(Independent observer)

The Bright-St Ellen trophy against Thorpdale was up for grabs. After their one point loss in their first round this season Mirboo North made amends to try and claim the trophy. After being behind at half time by five points the Tigers switched styles and started to peg back Thorpdale, conditions didn’t suit either team but Mirboo adapted slightly better gaining the upper hand in the third term, two goals to two points the big difference. Daniel Taylor back after injury was a good and his two goals important in the contest. Keeping Thorpdale down to only four points after half time was also a big factor in the 7-5 to 4-7 win. Two goals efforts by Hudson Kerr and Daniel Taylor (Mirboo North) and Ed Greene (Thorpdale) were worthy of merit. Julian Blackford, Damien Turner, and Clancy Bennett were good for the Tigers in the wet while Tyde Melbourne, Luke Collie and Daniel Martin plugged away for the Blues.

(Independent observer)

The 44 point lowest aggregate between Trafalgar and Yarragon easily beat the previous between the two of 63 points.  as low scoring continued through the league. Wet weather and muddy conditions brought the Waterloo Trophy match down to a mud wrestle. Trafalgar’s 3-10 (28) their lowest ever against Yarragon. Beating their 2015 score of 5-10. It was also Trafalgar’s lowest winning score. Score. Four of the five goals in the match were kicked in the first half. The match was a struggle with Trafalgar eventually pulling through 3-10 to 2-4. Jamie Hines, Lochlan Farrell, Tyson Leys and David Van Schajik among the best while Yarragon’s Dean Fitzgerald, Michael Whyte, Devin Pollock and Paul Harvey among the best.

(Independent observer)

Yinnar were the big winners over YYN in terrible conditions at Yinnar, heavy rain and slippery conditions made the game a close contest with very little between the two teams. Yinnar were down a few players who are overseas or injured but newcomers Matt Williams (ex Traralgon Thirds captain) and Liam Eade from Fish Creek were adequate replacements. Matt Lewellin had Yinnar’s first goal at nine minutes but YYN at the other end were only scoring minors. Yinnar went two goals up when the player suited to the conditions Jamie Winters scored their second. A third goal by Jarrod Henderson saw Yinnar perched on top with 3-3 to YYN’s 0-4 at the first break. Conditions got worse in the second quarter with goals hard to come by, Yinnar’s Danny Campbell and Jamie Aitken across the back were holding out the usually strong forwards of Dean McDonald and Tim Phillips. Yinnar increased their lead by another six points when Jarrod Henderson got his second, while Yinnar were posing majors YYN were fumbling with only behinds for their efforts. Their first goal took 13 minutes into the term when Josh Keyhoe kicked a long bomb for the double flags but one goal from eight shots was a poor return, but generally they were outplayed by a closer checking Yinnar side. Sam Mills ensured a safe buffer for Yinnar with a Neymar soccer shot off the ground just before half time to give the Maggies a 4-3 to 1-7 lead at half time.

Rob Ferguson made it number two for the Bombers and they were coming back but silly free kicks saw Yinnar with the advantage. It was a tough term with players battling heavy rain, cold and muddy conditions. The lights didn’t add much as players became just blobs with good coating of mud. An even quarter produced a goal each with Yinnar hanging on. The final quarter goals were gold and two Yinnar goals sealed the match with Matt Williams and Lincoln Albanese kicking truly as Yinnar broke a two game losing streak against YYN winning 7-4 to 3-10 to win by 18 points. Nathan Rowley was good for Yinnar, with Danny Campbell, Jarrod Henderson and Liam Eade among the best players. YYN’s best were Stephen Pearson, Lachlan Little, Rob Ferguson and Barrie Burnett. The win the lowest aggregate score (74) between these two breaking the 79 points set in 2012.

(Independent observer)