www.countryfootyscores.com

image2.jpg
Home arrow Media Articles arrow The Archive with Richard Jones arrow North City falls just short of historic first win
North City falls just short of historic first win Print E-mail
Bendigo FLNORTH City fell just short in its attempt to post its historic first win in the BFL in 2006’s round 15 thriller.

The Northies led Kangaroo Flat by one point at the 20-minute mark of the final quarter at Dower Park two seasons back before the Roos booted the last three goals of the match to win 16.17 (113) to 13.17 (95).

The Ballarat-based side was destined to go through its first BFL season winless, but of course rebounded last year to win five games.

In other matches played a few rounds out from the 2006 finals Gisborne survived a scare at Castlemaine before recording a 30-point victory while Eaglehawk handed Sandhurst a 103-point hiding at the QEO.

To complete the round 15 action Golden Square romped home by 112 points at the Kyneton Showgrounds with South Bendigo also triumphing by 100-points plus --- a 115-point thumping of Maryborough.

Key forwards bagged big hauls of goals. Square’s Matt O’Toole snared eight, South’s Dayne Frew and Eaglehawk coach Derrick Filo bagged seven each, with Flat’s Damien Brown, Gisborne’s Luke Saunders and Matt Gretgrix of Eaglehawk all nailing five.

GOING into round 16 two short seasons ago the BFL ladder had a striking similarity to this year’s table.

Gisborne, South Bendigo, Square and Eaglehawk filled the top four positions. The only difference was that 24 months ago Sandhurst was fifth --- this year, it’s Maryborough.

However, in 2006 fourth-placed Eaglehawk was three, clear games behind top club Gisborne. South (2nd) and Square (3rd) were one win and two wins, respectively, behind the Gardiner Reserve Dogs.

But back to the North City-Flat match. The Northies trailed by five points at three-quarter time, but kicked three out-of-bounds on the full and could register just 1.7 in the final term when the pressure was on in the final term.

Meanwhile the Roos added 4.2 to secure their third win of the ’06 season.

North City coach of the time Shane McCarty said his players were gutted at the final siren.

“They knew they should have won the game --- we actually played a better brand of football for three quarters,” he said.

“In that last quarter we just couldn’t find the big sticks.”

McCarty added that more than half of North City’s final quarter eights shots on goal were “gettable”.

“There were a couple pf set shots, a couple of shots on the run, a couple from deep in the pockets --- so we had our chances.

A livid McCarty spoke out about the umpiring decisions dished out in the vital final quarter. He felt two poor decisions cost his club goals in those crucial, final minutes.

“There were two free kicks (awarded) in the last quarter, both in front of goal, that were definitely not there,” the Northies’ coach said.
But it wasn’t the inaccuracies in the concluding 30 minutes which cost the Northies the chance of securing their first four premiership points of the season.

Again, it was the first term.

North City had trailed Castlemaine by 48 points in round 14, and a week later the Ballarat boys were down by 50 points at the Flat: 0.1 to 8.3.

“We were intense and we had a crack in the first quarter, but we just made too many mistakes and it hurt us,” said McCarty.

Nevertheless North City worked their way back into the match over the final three quarters.

Ryan Gurton, who started on Travis Thatcher, hard-working Ben Beaston, ruckman Eddie Den Ouden, captain Adam Richardson, Jake Young off half-back and the consistent Cameron Richardson all had an impact. Daniel Hay booted four goals.

North City’s final tally of 13.17 (95) was their highest score in their BFL debut season.

Roos’ coach Damien Brown booted five goals and looked ominous right from the opening bounce as he hauled in several strong marks.

Brown played even though he had informed reporters two weeks earlier that a broken bone in one foot would end his season.

He kicked a long 45 metre goal late in the last quarter to put the Flat back in front while Trent McInnes and Aiden Moore kicked the last two majors of the game to stitch up the victory for the Green and Whites.

Thatcher and Cameron Milward both landed three goals and young ruckman Hamish Dahl was a standout. By defeating North City Kangaroo Flat notched just its fifth win in its past 70 games.

*IN OTHER games South’s eight goals to two first quarter opening set up a huge win over Maryborough.

The Bloods were coming off a 46-point loss to Eaglehawk in round 14 but their height and strength was far too much for the undermanned Magpies.
Ryan Connaughton was outstanding for South producing a best afield game in his 100th senior game for the club.

Dayne Frew booted seven goals with Luke Beattie contributing 3.6.  Maryborough’s best was youngster Kuke Matthews who had the run-with role on South coach Danny O’Bree.

Reed Wills booted three goals for the Magpies. South Bendigo 26.22 (178) def. Maryborough 9.9 (63).

Matt O’Toole’s eight goals, taking him to 60 for the season, was the highlight of the Square-Kyneton game.

Golden Square coach Darren Walsh said the Tigers dropped “a couple of players” back on O’Toole while Matt Tyrell played his best game of the season (at full-back), Wes Pye dominated in the ruck, Matt Klein-Breteler booted four goals and in his first game for two months after missing with an abdominal strain Brendan Fraser kicked two goals.

Jock Allan battled hard in the ruck against Pye with Kyneton’s other triers Brent Dryden, Craig Williams, Ben Edmonds (three goals) and Nathan Searle. Golden Square 26.17 (173) def. Kyneton 9.7 (61).

EAGLEHAWK racked up its third important victory in three weekends with a 103-belting of Sandhurst.

With five of 2005’s grand final side still in the reserves, plus three injured players set to return, coach Derrick Filo impressed on his side the need not to get ahead of themselves.

By quarter-time it was eight goals to one and by half-time the Borough led by 49 points. The second half was more of the same as Eaglehawk added 10 goals to one to grind the Hurst into the QEO turf.

Filo and Gretgrix booted seven and five goals respectively. Eaglehawk 22.11 (143) def. Sandhurst 5.10 (40).

GISBORNE led Castlemaine by just 11 points going into the last quarter of the Camp Reserve match. The Bulldogs added seven goals to four to win an entertaining game by 30 points: 17.16 (118) to the Magpies 13.10 (88).

Luke Saunders and Michael Dillon returned to the Bulldogs after representing the VCFL at the previous weekend’s Australian Country Football Championships.

Richard’s tips for round 16: Gisborne, Golden Square, Sandhurst and Maryborough. Progress total: 50.

By Richard Jones
 
< Prev   Next >
[ Back ]

Polls

Should the AFL contribute more to country footy?
 

Subscribe

Want to find out when scores and ladders have been updated? Why not subscribe, it's free!
To subscribe, click here to access the contact page.