by Catherine Ferraro, Macedon Ranges Free Press
BROADFORD senior footballers celebrated gun forward Barry Hall’s 300th senior game of football in style with a hard fought win over Wallan in Riddell District Football Netball League action on Saturday at Harley Hammond Reserve.
Hall played a key role in the win with a dominant second term kicking five of his seven goal total and providing a real headache for Magpies defenders thanks to a very quick and accurate delivery to the former AFL spearhead.
“We started to really dominate the clearances in that second term and move the ball quickly into the forward line which provided plenty of opportunity for Barry,” senior coach Skip Bray said.
Bray advised that the side prepared the same for the milestone match, but made Hall captain for his 300th and were determined to enter the match with a fighting spirit where “they weren’t going to lose.”
The match saw the Roos raise awareness for the “Call To Arms” campaign which aims to raise awareness for men’s cancer.
Fine performances from Josh Wheeler, Adam Sanders, Matt Coomans, Tom Webster and Matt Whitty were all commended by the coach, however the Roos suffered further injury blows with Nathan Simpson most probably gone for the season with a knee injury.
Further news also has Quaide Comi suffering serious infection in his broken hand and not likely to return in 2013.
Bray was happy with the committed effort the Roos displayed for most of the match but disappointed with a lack of discipline late in the game that saw the side lose two players to be down to 16 on the ground for the final 15 minutes.
“I was very unhappy with that display, it was disappointing for the rest of the side that a couple of guys went and got involved in something they had no need to,” Bray said.
The Broadford side are eager to tackle the task of facing league leaders Riddell this week.
“We haven’t beaten a top six side and it definitely is our aim to give one of those sides a real run.
“Any conditions with weather or the ground that could suit us would be a bonus. We will give it the best crack we can!” Bray said.
Magpies hold strong
Despite the loss, Wallan senior coach Trevor Frost could take plenty of positives from the match.
“We were competitive all day. I was happy that we did not stop all day. We kicked 2.5 in the last quarter which really did cost us the game,” he said.
“Steve Bell was great on Hall and held him to one goal after half time, while Jake Wilson, Harry Trotman and Leigh Irons all played great games.”
Wallan face reigning premiers Sunbury Kangaroos this week and know it will be a tough task.
“Yes it will be another big game for us, we are playing good football against good sides, but we let ourselves down with some mistakes at times which cost us. We need to start getting some wins against sides above us, so that will be our focus,” Frost said.
Last Modified on 19/06/2013 13:46