The Courier |
IT wasn’t pretty, but it was a win for Redan nonetheless, recording a 26-point victory over a persistent Bacchus Marsh outfit at City Oval on Saturday afternoon.
In a scrappy match, Redan worked hard to record the win, finishing on 10.6 (66) to the Cobras’ 5.10 (40).
The first quarter was controlled to an extent by Redan as it kicked four goals to the Cobras’ two points, but the pressure applied by Bacchus Marsh to the opposition was intense and a clear focus for coach Doug Hawkins and his assistant coaches.
Brendan Peace was the standout for Redan in the midfield as he racked up possessions, as well as kicking an important goal.
The scoreboard at quarter time unfortunately didn’t reflect the amount of effort that Bacchus Marsh had put into the first quarter, as Redan held a comfortable 24-point lead at the first change.
The second quarter continued in the same scrappy fashion with the pressure from the Cobras continuing to hold strong, however it was the experienced Redan heads such as Ash Barker, Brendan Peace and Matt Hyden who led the way for the home side.
Bacchus Marsh combined as a team to provide its first goal for the contest but it would be their only major of the term, as Redan held a 27-point lead at the main break.
Redan were looking to open the game up in the second half with only seven goals kicked between the two sides in the first half, six of which were kicked by the home side.
The strength and class of the Lions started to become a factor in the third term, with the Lion midfield starting to win the ball more consistently out of the middle, however still it was the foot disposal that let them down on occasions, keeping Bacchus Marsh in the match, given the low score.
It was the resilience of the Cobras, though, that continued to be an impressive factor, as Redan had to work tirelessly to generate scoring opportunities.
Bacchus Marsh was able to kick its third goal late in the third quarter when Matt Denham kicked truly, however it was Redan that held a 33-point lead at three-quarter time, still with the view that they had unfinished business.
The rest of the match was played out with minimum scoreboard pressure from either side, with many Redan players and spectators stating their disappointment with the performance after the game, however admitting that this was due to the amount of pressure applied by the opposition.
Bacchus Marsh coach Doug Hawkins was extremely happy with the performance of the side, and how his players just had a decent crack.
“The second, third and fourth efforts from the boys were super, and their tackling and harassment of the opposition was fantastic,” he said.
“Redan are a very good side and we forced them to make a lot of mistakes which was terrific.”
