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The Moorabool News – 21 June, 2022 Page 19
Kangas down Devils on the hop By Todd Whelan Darley v East Point A match winning nine goal haul from Kangas star forward Jordy Johnston and the onset of fatigue late off a 21 day break, has proven the catalyst behind the Devils 33 point loss at Eastern Oval at the weekend. When the Devils kicked 17 points clear midway through the third term a ‘sniff’ of an upset was on the cards before the reigning dual Premiers went into overdrive booting 10 of the last 12 goals of the game to win - going away. While there was obvious disappointment within the Devils camp, coach Dan Jordan opted for the glass half full approach in the aftermath. “We gave a spirited effort against a quality side,” he said. “There are great learnings to draw on playing four quarters of football for our young side. We were in it for a long way,” Jordan said. Young Devils defender Mace Cousins thrived against the strength of a more seasoned East Point outfit providing plenty of drive, his vision, decision making significant setting up a Devils half-time lead. The wide expanses of Eastern Oval added further weight to the returns and importance of the wingmen. Both Jack Bewley and dual Club Best and Fairest and former Captain Shane Page, were busy while Essendon VFL affiliate Dylan Landt was clearly the Devils best midfielder. Devils forward Nick Rodda was going goal for goal with Johnston at the other end before limited supply capped his contribution albeit vote worthy, to five goals. It was the Devils second successive loss, both against finals contenders Ballarat and East Point. The inaccurate returns in front of goal 9.18 and 9.12 tell another story of opportunity missed against quality opposition. Given the evenness of the BFNL (Melton excluded) this season, such waste on the goal front simply won’t do. The Devils lost enigmatic small forward Leigh Spiteri (hamstring) and Bailey Young (knee) early in the first half that surely played its own part in the wash-up despite Young returning in the second half below 100 per cent. Jake Ancrum was sound in defence playing a role on the rotating Kangas mids that have hit the scoreboard over recent weeks in support of go-to-man Johnston. If only the Devils could find a similar solution forward outside of Rodda (30 goals / 91). Andy Azzopardi is the Devils second leading goalkicker this year with eight. We’re nine rounds in.
The Devils cling to sixth place on the BFNL ladder, just percentage ahead of eighth. Jordan has put the Devils faithful on notice ahead of their must win game against bottom side Lake Wendouree this Saturday. “There are no easy games in this comp,” he said. “We can’t afford to be 5 per cent off if we want to get it done.” * Saturday Darley vs Lake Wendouree - LIVE RADIO APPLE 98.5FM - FROM 2pm or STREAM via apple985fm.com.au WHAT THE COACHES SAID Where was the game was won and lost? JORDAN (Darley) - Jordy Johnston’s nine goals was the difference, but we’ll be better for the run. They’re a quality side we knew they were always going to come at us in the second half. Rate your ‘forwards’ performance JORDAN - Nick Rodda was really good, often two on one. Would have been nice to get more ‘bang for buck’ for our dominance in the first half. Rate your ‘midfielders’ performance JORDAN - Got beat but Dylan Landt, and our wingers Jack Bewley and Shane Page were solid contributors. We know where we have to improve in this area. Rate your ‘defenders’ performance JORDAN - Tried hard, obviously we struggled to contain Jordy Johnston all day. Mace Cousins was arguably our best player, he gave us some good rebound. Overall performance BRIDGES (East Point) - Plenty of evidence of living our trademarks today. Great team effort and response from the group. FINAL SCORES East Point 3.0-18, 5.3-33, 10.5-65, 15.9-99 def Darley 4.4-28, 5.838, 8.10-58, 9.12-66. (Whelan’s Best): Darley - M. Cousins, N. Rodda, D. Landt, S. Page, J. Bewley, J. Ancrum. GOALS: Darley - N. Rodda 5, J. Cadman 1, W. Johnson, J. Bewley, S. Page. DON’T MISS “THE PRESSER’’ - LIVE EVERY WEDNESDAY NIGHT FROM 8PM. LISTEN TO APPPLE 98.5FM OR STREAM LIVE www. apple985fm.com.au
Photos - Tim Saultry / sportingherald.com.au
Cobras deliver for MND, and fans By Todd Whelan The Cobras are knocking on the door of the top six following their comprehensive 51-point win over a disappointing Sunbury in Saturday’s (11 June) stand alone, Queen’s Birthday BFL match at Maddingley Park. A large crowd made the trip in support of the MND cause to witness the pre-game ‘slide’ fundraiser, led by former Footscray Bulldog champion and local favorite Doug Hawkins. The Cobra crew do a fantastic job in the football community raising money and awareness fighting ‘the beast’, earmarking the Queen’s Birthday weekend as their own on the BFNL calendar. National TV Networks covered the event on their News platforms, obliging to the reach and request of local organisers. Onfield, the Cobras put this game to bed early with six unanswered goals in the second quarter to set up a matchwinning 47-point lead. For the record, their 10.4-64 scoreline at the main break was their best return (of any half) this season. And they did it all (on the scoreboard) without inspirational Captain Jake Owen, who has found himself in defence over the last two games in the absence of Jack Williams and Jason Robinson, who remain sidelined with injury. Owen was still considered BOG by many in his rebounding role with double figure marks, proving the catalyst in transition, while denying the visitors any impact on the scoreboard. Cobras ruckman Daniel Burton (2 goals) was back to his Henderson Medal winning form dominating at hit-outs, and around the ground. Forwards Aaron Willetts and youngster Joel Freeman were rewarded for playing in front, making the most of their opportunities to finish with four goals. Cobra midfielders Harry King, Tom German, Max Eastmure and Jack Parente looked energised in their response to club legend Tyson Shea’s 250th game. Shea too was typically in and under, adrenaline still riding high having run through (carefully) a dedicated banner with his two children ahead of the opening bounce. According to Cobras coach Tom German this week off is timely, following a tough block of matches and injury. “The week off will be good for us,” he said.
“We’re likely to get Jack Williams (shoulder) and Jason Robinson (hamstring) back for the Sebastopol game and there’s a fair chance we might have Nick Stuhldrier (calf). “Either way, I’ll be confident with our chances (on Saturday’s effort).” German said. For Sunbury, they look a world away from what their ability suggests on paper but the future looks bright with more games into Cody Bramble, Jake Egan, Jack Newitt, Lachie Urbon and Mitch McLean. Ball magnet and Lions Captain Daniel Toman missed a second successive game which didn’t help the visitors cause but Harrison Minton-Connell, stood up in his absence to be their best player. The Lions’ struggles continue forward with just the six goals, and all singles despite the inclusion of Essendon VFL listed targets Jake Sutton and Cooper Anderson. In closing, it was clearly the Cobras best team effort of the year with notable contributions from near all 22 players. For Sunbury however, it may well have been their worst. The Cobras next match is a Round 10 meeting on June 25 with Sebastopol at Marty Busch Reserve. WHAT THE COACHES SAID Where was the game won and lost? GERMAN (B/Marsh) - Our pressure around the ball was very good. HODGSON (SUNBURY) - Burton, Owen and the three answers below. Rate your ‘forwards’ performance GERMAN - It was our forwards best game, they were clean, got separation and kicked straight. HODGSON - Struggled to cope with Owen’s presence but not helped by poor ball use going in. Rate your ‘midfielders’ performance GERMAN - We got on top in the clearances as the game went on. Burton was exceptional, back to his best. HODGSON - Burton’s dominance made it hard, and we were outworked and outplayed. Rate your ‘defenders’ performance GERMAN - Rock solid. Owen’s rebound was important, he cut off a lot of their forward entries.
HODGSON - Poor, we were convincingly beaten by the Marsh forwards. FINAL SCORES: Bacchus Marsh - 4.2-26, 10.4-64, 14.6-90, 15.8-98 def Sunbury - 2.5-17, 2.5-17, 4.7-31, 6.11-47. BEST: B/Marsh - J. Owen, D. Burton, H. King, J. Parente, M. Eastmure, T. German. GOALS: B/Marsh - A. Willitts 4, J. Freeman, J. Calvitto 2, D. Burton, T. Huyn 1, J. Parente, E. McKercher. DON’T MISS “THE PRESSER’’ - LIVE EVERY WEDNESDAY NIGHT FROM 8PM. LISTEN TO APPPLE 98.5FM OR STREAM LIVE www.apple985fm.com.au
Photos - Tim Saultry / sportingherald.com.au