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Round 16 Mid Gippsland Football Wrap-Up

Commentary of all of the major plays, from a footy insider

By Gary Stevens - 6th August 2002 - Back to News

Boolarra sealed fifth position on the ladder and ended Mirboo North's finals chances with a hard-fought win against the Tigers. In the most important game of the season for both sides Boolarra came from four goals down at the first change to win by 13 points with Mirboo North kicking just two goals after the first quarter.

The Tigers had full control of the first quarter but collapsed under Boolarra's pressure in the third term. The side that won was bound to make the finals, the Demons taking every opportunity in their quest to win their first flag since 1997.

Both sides started off kicking goal for goal, with a great leap by Tom Gardener early in the first quarter a highlight. Adam Connelly and Ben Stoops kicked early majors for Boolarra but Salvo Giardina followed up with a reply for Mirboo North.

With the game fairly even upto late in the quarter, Boolarra fell asleep and Mirboo North pounced. The Tigers dominated out of the centre and kicked three goals in two minutes, including Brett Palmer's second and a goal to Matt Snell. They held a commanding 23 point lead at quarter time and looked ready to kick on.

The second quarter was uneventful but there was a slight swing in the Demons' favor. They outscored Mirboo North three goals to one, with Rowan Pepper starting to show some good form with a good goal from a forward pocket.

Ricky Martin continued to fly the flag for the small men as Boolarra edged closer to trail by 11 points at the main break. The Dees held Mirboo North goalless in the third quarter and changed the nature of the contest.

Connelly marked the ball 15 metres in the clear and put Boolarra in front for the first time since the start of the first quarter. Boolarra got back on top in the centre of the ground, with Colin Gibson-Williamson providing the side with the much-needed drive it lacked in the first quarter.

Just a few points separated the two sides for most of the term before Troy Hamilton finally broke the drought with a goal for the Demons to put them 10 goals up at three quarter time.

Boolarra continued on with it in the final term. Pepper, easily one of the most lively players on the ground, snapped a goal to fire the Dees up while Gibson-Williamson sealed the match early when he slammed home Boolarra's tenth major.

Mirboo North had its chances in the last quarter, kicking 1-5 but a late goal was all it could manage as the season ended for the side that had many people talking finals in the first half of the year.

It got worse for the Tigers as key player Salvo Giardina was stretchered off in the first quarter with what appeared to be a knee injury. Giardina has had a shocking run of injuries to his knee throughout his career, with his playing future now in doubt.

Gibson-Williamson was excellent for Boolarra, while Hamilton was unstoppable in the air. Warren Richards was solid and Pepper was a reliable goal sneak. Defender Dale Banks tried hard all day for the Tigers, with Michael Nash getting a number of possessions and Palmer proving a dangerous option. However most Mirboo North players faded out in the second half as finals football went begging for yet another season.

Trafalgar spoiled Ron "Bonnie" Mackie's 300th game celebrations with a 65 point win over Thorpdale. The Bloods played well all day in front of a good crowd at Thorpdale, managing to keep the Blues scoreless in the first quarter. Thorpy could muster just one goal upto three quarter time, Trafalgar doing it easy as the margin was stretched to 75 points at the final change. Thorpdale added some respectability to its scoreline in the final quarter, booting four goals to Traf's two but the Bloods were far too strong and won their sixth successive match. Andrew Gringhuis, Ben Jackson and Kane Makepeace were the Bloods' better players, the side continuing to gather respect as one of the competition's best teams. John Assmussen staked another claim for Thorpdale's best and fairest award, while Jason Winderlich and Chris Cairns chipped in with solid matches.

Yinnar full forward Cameron Harwood booted eight goals in his side's big 82 point win over Morwell East. The game was effectively over by half time when Yinnar led by 52 points, the Hawks failing to score in the last quarter as they lost their sixth match in a row. Harwood was Yinnar's best, while David King and Lee Clarke followed up good games last week with another solid effort. Chris Cowton and Leigh Pacunskis were the East's better players.

Yallourn/Yallourn North got back on the winners list with a comfortable victory against Yarragon. In a one-sided game the Bombers turned a 40 point half time lead into an 87 point win to retain fourth position. Although the top three is probably out of the Bombers' grasp they still loom as a threat in the finals. David Stevens was best on ground, continuing his good form for YYN, while Lee Marriot played his best game for the Bombers. Robbie Shelton and Shane Galea also played well. For Yarragon Mark Disisto and Marcus Hanley were the better players.

Newborough had a big win over Hill End, Matt Disisto booting eight and named best on ground. In a high scoring match Hill End stuck with the Dogs until three quarter time. After a disappointing second quarter the Hillmen were able to match the Bulldogs goal for goal in the third quarter. But Newborough ran away with the game and recorded a 93 point victory. Daryl Disisto and James Todd were other better players for the Dogs, while Pat Poelsma, Damien Pyle and Mark Walsh were Hill End's best.


Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: support@gippslander.com



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