The Courier |
BALLAN notched up its first win of the season with a 32-point victory over Rokewood-Corindhap on the weekend.
BALLAN 18.10 (118)
ROKEWOOD-CORINDHAP 13.8 (86)
The Blues were challenged at times by a spirited Grasshoppers outfit, but experience and class ultimately proved the difference.
Ten goals between forwards Rodney Watts and Anthony Kitchen was a significant advantage for the home side, made possible through quick and precise ball movement that used Ballan's small forward line to advantage.
The Blues continually lowered their eyes and hit forwards on the lead, putting Rokewood-Corindhap's defence under duress. In the end, it proved too much for the Grasshoppers to contend with. The win could only be described as a relief for the Blues, who had been competitive against formidable opposition up to this stage.
Coach Darron Batties was simply thankful to get a positive result.
"We just came here to get a win, pure and simple," he said.
"We knew Rokewood, after last week, would be a lot harder to beat. It was just about four points for us."
The Grasshoppers indeed appeared a different side to the side that failed to score a goal against Daylesford last round, playing with the energy and reckless abandon of a team that was desperate to respond.
A flurry of goals from Ballan early on threatened another dark day for Rokewood-Corindhap, but a spectacular individual effort from 17-year-old Calus Barrenger kept the Grasshoppers within four goals at the first break.
Barrenger, who had already played earlier in the day, kicked four goals for the game and was a significant reason why the Grasshoppers remained in the contest.
Rokewood-Corindhap contin-ued to challenge Ballan, even drawing within 17 points in the third term, but lacked the polish necessary to close the gap further.
Batties said his side's fast start helped prevent the opposition from causing an upset.
"We got a good start today, which we haven't had in a long time ... not just this year, but later last year as well," he said. "A good start just sets you up and gets everyone up and running."
Midfielder Lachlan Herring was outstanding for the victors, as was fellow onballer Ryan Aquilina.
For the Grasshoppers, utility Dylan Bourke continued his excellent start to the season, while Ross Arnall was lively across half-forward.
