Round 4 2021 – Review
Henty overcame the opening quarter loss of key forward Shannon Terlich and a mounting injury toll to notch a rousing 14-point victory over fierce rival Culcairn at Culcairn on Saturday.
But the Swampies were dealt a major blow shortly after when Terlich injured his collarbone and took no further part in the match.
Compounding their woes Tom Newton was also a first-quarter casualty with concussion.
Despite the early setback, the Swampies established a 27-point half-time lead and were never seriously threatened as they posted a gritty 12.15 (87) to 11.7 (73) win.
Henty dominated the second-quarter with Dylon Simpson, Sam Scott and Jared Farwell instrumental in the visitors gaining the ascendancy.
But some sloppy finishing after booting 3.6 to 1.1 left the door slightly ajar for the Lions to mount a comeback.
Wodonga Raiders recruit Jack Chesser kicked a couple of clever goals in the third-quarter on his way to a five goal haul and helped narrow the gap to 14-points at the last change.
But the Swampies snuffed out any chance of the Lions mounting a stirring comeback as they kicked the opening three goals of the last-quarter to seal the win.
Some atrocious skill errors by the Lions, especially by foot would no doubt have frustrated coach Craig Bosley.
Rookie coach Heath Ohlin said the win was a lot more gritty than pretty.
“It ended up being a war of attrition after losing a couple of players early,” Ohlin said.
“Arguably we should have had the game won by half-time but didn’t capitalise from some turnovers.
“I said at half-time we are a couple of rotations down in the midfield and we are all going to have to carry the load.
“We then lost another player at the start of the third-quarter.
“To Culcairn’s credit they came hard in that third-quarter to get within two goals.
“But we answered the challenge in the last term and it was the kids like Charlie Doig on debut as well as Ben Carmichael, Ethan Muller and Max Klemke who I was most proud of.”
HOLBROOK tuned up for its top-of-the-table clash with Osborne by disposing of Rand-Walbundrie-Walla by 51-points at Rand on Saturday.
The Brookers had a stranglehold on the match at the main break after booting seven goals to one to run out convincing 15.12 (102) to 8.3 (51) winners.
The now face raging flag favourite Osborne this week in the most anticipated match of the season so far in what many pundits are tipping as a grand final preview.
Both sides were undermanned with small forward Ewan Mackinlay superb for the visitors with six goals in the absence of key forward Luke Gestier.
Nick Locke, Coby Ross and Logan Hamilton were also solid contributors.
Hamilton who was recruited from Lavington, shouldered most of the ruck duties with Ben Griffiths and Randal Taylor sidelined.
Brookers coach Matt Sharp said it was pleasing to keep their undefeated record intact against the Giants who are also expected to progress deep into September.
“We just went back to basics and wanted to start each quarter well,” Sharp said.
“We were able to achieve that and it stood us in good stead.
“We have now played three finalists from 2019 which gives us a bit of a gauge on our finals aspirations.
“We have laid the foundations for a top-two finish and get a free hit at Osborne this week and look forward to the challenge.”
