The game against Mansfield provided the Bulldogs with a great opportunity to consolidate their place in the top three; it was also a time to celebrate the 300th GVFL game played by Paul Kirby and to welcome back the 2003 premiership team for their reunion.
Three changes to the side that defeated the Swans included the in form defender Tom Durward missing with a neck injury, Alec Young (leg) and Brett Nankervis (foot). They were replaced with the returning Jayden Young, Chris Ryan back for his first senior game since the grand final and debutant James Nihill who acquitted himself well.
The game was played in blustery conditions with a wind favouring the big shed end. The contest was hard fought right to the end and the Tatura side rose to the occasion of the day and eventually ran out 24 point winners.
Once again the Bulldogs were a little wasteful around the goals and this was evidence with the scoring shots being 34 to Mansfields 20! Rian McGough opened the scoring with a goal inside the first minute and Corey Mallon followed suit to open up an early 14 point break. Jye Warren who was his lively self all game then snapped a brilliant major and it looked as if it was going to be a matter of how far the margin would be. Mansfield, although only winning once this season are still a very good outfit and with ex AFL player Josh Fraser parked at full forward opposed all day by Jayden Young you always had the feeling that the contest would go the full journey.
A late first term goal to Mansfield against the breeze reduced the margin at the first break to 15 points. The second quarter had the Dogs in full flight early with a goal to Tom Sullivan followed by a resulting free kick and goal to Mitch Elliott after his courageous attack on the ball. Paul Kirby was having a good game on his big day and he was well supported by his old mate Linc Wellington who was arguably the best man afield. The home side rattled on 5 goals and at one stage had the lead out to 36 points only for a slight lapse and some turnovers caused by skill errors and the continued pressure from the Eagles allowing them to finish the half with two quick goals.
The 24 point lead at the long break proved to be a match winning margin with the second half following a similar pattern with Tatura getting early goals and increasing the lead, at one stage out to over 40 points only for Mansfield to hit back with a cluster of goals.
Jayden Young who had done a great job curbing Fraser provided a lot of drive from defence and with Bill Hicks finding a load of ball around the clearances victory looked in place at the final break with a 36 point margin held. The highlight of the 3rd term was definitely the hangar mark taken by Wellington right in front of the Ballantyne Centre and to the raucous applause of his celebrating 2003 team mates. Not to be out done Kirby conjured up a brilliant left foot snap from almost the same spot to post a miracle goal.
The theme of the match continued in the final term and the Eagles simply would not go away and commenced the quarter with the first three goals reducing the margin to only 16 points sending a little doubt amongst the home supporters. A McGough snap steadied the ship however this was quickly answered again by the Eagles and the game was quite tense. Warren delivered his trademark run and this time a beautiful pass hit Nick Grigg lace out and he duly converted his 3rd goal in a promising display.
The siren rang to every ones relief and the big day had reached the right conclusion for the home team. Paul Kirby was carried from the field and it was fantastic to see the Mansfield players and Bulldog team mates form a guard of honour.
James Wall continued his improved form and racked up plenty of disposals and he was able to bring team mates into the game with quick hand ball. Jimmy Nihill made a most promising debut and showed that he has the necessary tools to succeed at senior level.
It was pleasing to see premiership player James Sullivan decide to return to the kennel and hopefully he will be back for the next game. With a long injury list the wins gained now are worth their weight in gold!
Next week is another home match against Euroa and then the team has a bye and the chance to re energise some of the injured personnel for the tough run home.
SCORES: Tatura 15-19 -109 V Mansfield 13-7-85
GOALS: N Grigg 3, R McGough 2, C Mallon 2, T Sullivan 2, J Wall 2, J Warren 1, M Elliott 1, L Wellington, P Kirby 1.
BEST: L Wellington, R McGough, J Wall, P Kirby, J Young, B Hicks.
RESERVES:
After the run of injuries to the senior team the reserves were left a little depleted however this seemed to inspire the team as after an even first half the side came out firing in the second half to kick 8 goals to 1 and run out winners by 42 points and gain their first points for the season.
The tackling pressure and the commitment to the football were pleasing and the coach Darren Kirkpatrick was a very happy man. The evenness across the field was a highlight. Matt Daniel (5 goals) after a game in the U/18s provided a leading target up forward and his partner in crime Ben Harris ( 3 goals) were able to finish off the work from up the field. The old stager Brendan Vanderdonk and Luigi Cantanese were fantastic around the stoppages winning a ton of ball. The defence was well led by Anthony Howley and Anthony Poppa. The win will give the side great confidence and when the injury list decreases a most competitive team will be on the field.
SCORES: Tatura 12-10-82 V Mansfield 6-4-40
GOALS: Matt Daniel 5, B Harris 3, T Worm 1, A Poppa 1,L Borrelli 1, L Cantanese 1.
BEST: M Daniel, A Howley, B Vanderdonk, A Poppa, B Harris, L Cantanese.
U/18s
Missing several key players the young pups found the going tough against a pretty strong opponent. In almost a mirror image of the reserves game the contest was tight up until the half way mark then one side broke the game open in the 3rd term unfortunately it was the Eagles who gained control. A 2 goal to 7 second half tells the story and simple skill errors and turn overs really hurt the teams chances. Matt Daniel started his big day with a best performance in the match grabbing marks and generally working hard all over the ground. Kenny Thomson did not shirk an issue and tried very hard to lift his mates. James Bennett and Jacob Vraca provided drive across the mid field and Robert Kirby and Nick Warner battled hard.
SCORES: Tatura 6-6-42 V Mansfield 12-11-83
GOALS: J Bennett 2, M Serra 1, T Devine 1, C Olsen 1, D Vanderdonk 1.
BEST: M Daniel, K Thomson, J Bennett, J Vraca, R Kirby, N Warner.
NETBALL
“A” Grade with a spate of injuries the team only fielded 3 regular players with the rest made up of players who had already played a full game!! The team did well and did not drop their heads, Alex Bertram was excellent in defence and Leanna Couston moved well coming out to Goal Attack. Latoya Wards also ran hard all game through mid court unfortunately the opposition were very strong and the eventual result does not do justice to how hard the girls worked.
SCORES: Tatura 12 V Mansfield 57
BEST: A Bertram, L Couston, L Wards
“B” Grade In what was a great performance by all players the team came out in front in a tight contest. The attackers capitalised on the great defensive pressure applied which caused many turn overs. A well earnt win was achieved which is a big boost in confidence for the side.
SCORES: Tatura 31 V Mansfield 29
BEST: H Blake, J Daniels, S Kerrins
“B res” A big improvement was found in the second half unfortunately the damage on the scoreboard was already done. The centre players worked really hard making plenty of strong leads and intercepts.
SCORES: Tatura 15 V Mansfield 42
BEST: A Cantanese, C Wellman, S Gillet
U/17s a close game saw the girls really dig deep and were in the contest right to the final whistle, unfortunately the 3 goal gap could not be breached. Ashlee Battiston, Olivia DeAngelis and Jessica Wellman were best on court with some extra ordinary passing and defence. The movement through the goal circle was excellent, in a much improved team performance.
SCORES: Tatura 20 V Mansfield 23
BEST: A Battiston, J Wellman, O DeAngelis
Last Modified on 17/06/2013 19:46