A best on ground performance by Heyfield’s pint sized midfielder Luke Conway steered the Kangaroos to their second North Gippsland Football Netball League premiership in three years.Conway led from the front as he worked hard all day, throwing his body on the line and emerging from the bottom of packs whilst lighting up the forward line finishing the match with a haul of five majors.
The Kangaroos dynamo was not alone in a true team effort the Kangaroos winning the game when it was in the balance in the premiership term booting 4.5 (29) with the wind to take a handy 28 point buffer into the final change.
Heyfield extending the margin in the early minutes of the final term, 15.13 (103) to 10.14 (74) in front of a crowd that paid a gate of over $28,000.
Kangaroo David Kelly against Leigh McDonald, Heyfield defender Andrew Lambie in Nathan McDonald’s hip pocket, Nic Dowse tracking Brendan Mahoney and Dale Paterson shoulder-to-shoulder with Brett Szabo . . . . It was all so appetizing at the opening bounce.
The Cougars burst out of the blocks Nick Campbell registering the first major as both sides struggled to enter their respective forward lines as play concentrated between the half back lines.
Travis Brighton’s shot on the run sprayed the sticks as the Cougars forwards put immense pressure on Heyfield’s backline of Andrew Lambie, Justin Cox, Aaron Duffy, Trent Anderson and Luc Wilson in a tight opening five minutes of play.
Clearing defence Heyfield’s first movement forward resulted in Conway’s first.
The pressure continued to build as both sides desperation at the ball was evident, Heyfield’s forwards working hard to contain the ball in their forward line. Slick hands by Szabo saw last weeks hero handpass off to Dowse which resulted in the Kangaroos second major.
Churchill quickly responded Nathan McDonald goaling following a direct passage of play through the middle of the ground.
The two sides went neck and neck as Wayne Knight kicked the Kangaroos in front by four points.
Returning to the Cougar line up from injury Daniel Hawking and Dean Jenkins looked to get themselves into the game as the Kangaroos began to stamp their authority.
Szabo was causing headaches early picking up plenty of the ball as he continued to jostle himself into front position catching the Cougars defence of James Larkin, Cory Thompson, Nathan Richer and Paterson out.
Heyfield had their opportunities late in the term to extend the margin a shot at goal by Nathan Wellins skewing off the side of the boot. While a tight shot on the boundary line in the pocket from Sel Burley Medallist and Heyfield coach Stuart Anderson missed to the near side.
Conway’s presence was felt immediately by the Cougars midfield, the Heyfield midfielder picking up plenty of the ball as he worked off his opponent.
The advantage was paid to Heyfield following a high tackle on Conway, Szabo swooping on the ball to goal.
The bounce favoured Campbell’s shot at goal the ball tumbling past the Kangaroos defenders to reel the margin back to a major on the quarter siren 3.4 (22) to 4.4 (28).
Campbell opened the second term with his second to level the scores before Dowse worked hard to move the ball forward for Heyfield, Mark Bedggood finishing off the midfielders hard work.
Churchill’s Scott Kelly had the distance from outside 50 but not the accuracy as the Cougars worked hard to reel in the margin.
Szabo provided some relief for the Churchill backline his shot missing.
Churchill’s defence worked the ball back through the middle of the ground, before the Kangaroos over turned possession Lyell Berry bursting through the middle of the ground to goal.
Dowse made no mistake with his second as the margin blew out to 17 points.
Aaron Duffy was exposing the Cougars forwards as he ran off half back, setting up the Kangaroos with his pace along the wing.
Berry was creating play in the forward line, as the minor premiers began to run away from Churchill.
The goal of the day went to Ryan Sutherland his snap shot, rolling through the posts with too much speed for the Kangaroos defenders.
The Cougar defence began to buckle as they struggled to clear the ball from the backline.
Breaking clear Churchill worked the ball from half back Hawking getting on the end of Brandon Mahoney’s kick. Hawking's shot at goal out of bounds on the full.
Highlighted as the weak link to Heyfield’s premiership assault, the Kangaroos defence showed no sign of faulting as they cleared the ball with precision forward.
A dubious umpiring decision rewarding Conway with his second.
With a paddock in front of him, Joe Whykes sought out Greig Williams his shot at goal falling short into the path of the waiting Nathan McDonald to goal to keep the reigning premiers in touch.
Pin point accuracy spotted Whykes, his shot splitting the sticks as Churchill appeared back in business the margin five points at the long change.
Two early second half goals to Heyfield, Josh Neille with the opener quickly undid the Cougars hard work in the closing minutes of the first half.
Heyfield weren’t without their opportunities to extend the margin past 17 points, Conway and Knight missing shots as the Kangaroos failed to make the most of the slight wind advantage.
Working the ball in the forward line Whykes finished off the Cougars hard work, Churchill drawing to within 13 points.
A strong pack mark by Szabo saw the big man with a shot at goal, which he failed to capitalise.
Heyfield captain Andrew Stevens making no mistake as he swooped on the loose ball from the kick in to goal.
Anderson goaled on the quarter time siren to take a 28 point lead into the final term.
Needing to make a challenge the Cougars quickly drew forward, but weren’t able to break through on the scoreboard before Heyfield’s defence through Duffy worked the ball into the forward 50 Szabo sneaking through his second.
The signs were positive for the Kangaroos as the margin blew out to 32 points at the five minute mark of the final term.
Churchill weren’t wihout their chances the Cougars peppering away at the sticks four missed shots in concession not aiding their assault.
The usually faultless Cougar forwards struggling to split the sticks as the Kangaroos defence kept at them, pressuring their shots at goal.
Heyfield’s backline was instrumental in the side’s victory. Duffy had reassurance when under stress. Whether it was Trent Anderson’s timely spoils, Cox dropping back into marking contests or Lambie on the overlap for a relieving hand pass.
The Kangaroos engine room of Conway, Dowse and Josh Neille presented all day the trio the barometer of the sides charge on the scoreboard in the third term.
Churchill challenged with their characteristic midfield control, fast breaks and, at times, audacious and adventurous ball-sharing by the forwards, particularly Whykes as they side looked to claim back to back flags.
However it was the Cougars inaccuracy in front of goal in the final term that proved costly, Churchill booting themselves out of the contest. Paterson was judged best on ground for the runners up, Mahoney was standout in the engine room along with Campbell who ignited the side when they went forward.
A 10 goal haul by CHURCHILL’s best on ground Rob Jellis in the Reserves aided the Cougars to a 67 point thrashing of Boisdale.
An 11 goal to three opening half set up the victory, the Cougars too strong across the ground as they rail roaded the hapless Bombers who failed to score a major in the third term before coming to life with a seven goal final quarter performance.
Jellis was instrumental in the Cougars forward line going to town in front of goals in a match winning performance, with Jarrod Broadbent and David Metikovec solid contributors.
For the Bombers Dean Jackson was best a field for the red and black with Grant Hennig booting four.
STRATFORD claimed back to back premierships in the thirds competition, the Swans led by best on ground Kaine Kerton burst out of the blocks marking their intentions early as they established a handy 11 point break at the first change.
The Swans kept their tempo in the second term to extend the margin to 25 at the long break.
It was all Stratford in the second half the Swans kicking 10 goals to four, Jacob Scicluna and Nathan Jones the catalysts in the forward line.
Stratford coasting home by 64 points, 18.15 (123) to 8.11 (59).
For the Tigers Zac Callow finished the match with two majors while Brian Graham and Luke Francis were among the sides better players.
The premiership Swans receiving their medallions and cup from Australian Football League Premiership coach Hawthorns Alastair Clarkson.
By Lauren Carey
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